.223 load recipes

[NCUndertaker]

Never loaded the .223, so thought I would ask for suggestions for your favorite powder, bullet, primer....etc. Will be used in Rock River AR-15 and Ruger Ranch Rifle.

Thanks in Advance

 

[Shoney]

NCUndertaker:

WELCOME to THR!!!

You didn't mention the barrel length or twist rate, and what equipment you are using to load. In general, you would use a spherical powder for progressive reloading, and either a shperical or extruded powder for singlestage/turret press. Bullet weight to twist makes a lot of difference as well.

Please list your press, barrel length, twist rate, and bullet weights you wish to use.

Here are a few on-line powder/loading data sources. They are not meant to replace hard cover data, but are useful for reference.

http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp
http://glarp.atk.com/2009/2009_Catal...adersGuide.pdf
http://www.accuratepowder.com/reloading.htm
http://www.ramshot.com/powders/
http://nosler.com/?p=15
http://www.lapua.com/index.php?id=851

 

[Uncle Chan]

I use 24.5gr of X-Terminator (I also use it in 30-06, 30-30, 8mm, 7.62 x 39, and 7.62 x 54R), a 55gr FMJ Hornady, and CCI SR primer. I trim to 1.75 and load to 2.10 to fit comfortably in my Ruger Mini-14 factory mags. Good fun multipurpose load. I'll use the same to load 55gr Soft Points.

Good Shooting!

 

[Historian]

I recently started using a 60g Nosler boat tail ballistic tip ahead of 23.2g of H335 (CCI 400 primer). I am shooting a Bushmaster Varminter, 24" barrel, 1/9 twist and getting very acceptable results (5/5 in a 2" circle at 100 yds.). Others may do better but this is close enough for me.

Historian

 

[45ACPUSER]

Powder:
H335 for 55gr FMJ loads (Hornady 55gr FMJ are best)
TAC is a good powder for mid wt to hvy wt bullets, measures like water.
Varget is great for all bullet wts in 223, but it is extruded and might not measure great....
H322/N133 with mid wt bullets...

Primers
CCI 400/450/41
RP 7.5
Win SR
Fed 205
Wolf SRM or 223

Try to load the same headstamp brass for consistency.

Hornady 55gr FMJ are best....
Nosler or Sierra OTM's are really good for target work.
Berger for Target work..
Hornady Vmax, Sierra BK, and Nosler BT are great for varmints.

 

[NCUndertaker]

Please list your press, barrel length, twist rate, and bullet weights you wish to use.

Press is a Lee Loadmaster, barrel lenght is 16", twist rate is 1 to 9, bullet weight is 55 grain.

 

[PCJim]

I'll offer up this one for general low cost plinking: 55gr Winchester bulk FMJBT over 26.5gr BL-C2, Win SR at a COL of 2.215. BL-C2 is a ball powder which measures like water. Some reloading guides recommend magnum primers when using ball powder to obtain better ignition. I haven't found the need to use them with the BL-C2 in 223 cases.

 

[Jefferson Herb]

I used w748 ,I got on sale,and was ok in 1 in 9 bushmaster.I use varget in my stevens 25gr w 65gr gameking.

 

[X-Rap]

H335 at 24.5 gr using 50 to 55 gr. bullets has worked well in all my 556 and 223 marked guns including a 14" contender.

 

[SyberShooter]

Fot the 55grain bullets I use 23.5 of 2230 or 24.5 of 2460. I have 14.5" 16", 20" and 24" barrels and 1:9 an 1:12 twists and this works in all of them to one degree or another ,4" to 1" groups at around 2600-3000fps +/- on bbl

 

[TX1911fan]

I wanted to start using H335 since everyone speaks so highly of it, but all three places in town where I can get powder are out! Cabelas and Sportsman's Warehouse are both out of primers and most powder. I hope this ends soon!

 

[3wide]

I've got AA2230 I want to work with. Anyone got a load with that powder plus a hornady 55 gr fb sp, and or nosler 60 gr ballistic tip?

 

[JDGray]

If you want good groups, spend on some quality bullets. If your loading to play war games, cheap bulk Win 55gr fmj will get you by. My RRA 20" Varmint with 1 in 8" twist, likes 60gr Sierra Varmint HPs, CCI 400 primers, 24gr H355. Still tailering my load, but managed a 14rd 1.360" group at 100yrds, using a bipod only for support. Cant wait to get back out with some bags, to help steady the rifle.

 

[interlock]

27 gr of N140 with 50 gr hornady vmax or 50 gr norma soft points. awsome accurate ind deadly on fox

 

[sourdough44]

Ramshot TAC here.

 

[TooTaxed]

55-gr FMJ bullet, 25.0 gr IMR 4895.

I've settled on IMR 4895 for all rifle from .223 Win up through 8-mm Mauser...have found very accurate loads for all. Buy an 8-lb can, surplus if you can find it....very inexpensive shooting.

 

[dstark]

24.5gr Reloader-15 and sierra 60gr varminters is my go to load.

 

[swiss7.5]

I am with Sourdough. Tac by ramshot is they way to go