.223 Test Loads - First Time Out

[doctorjohn]

I'm new to loading bottle neck rounds, but not new to hand loading.

I have 62gr FMJBT for .223 Rem and three powders available,IMR 4064, TAC, and Varget.

From the Lyman AR Reloading Handbook, the acceptable range for IMR-4064 is 22.0gr to 25gr, and the 25gr load is compressed. I'm thinking about loads at 22.0, 23.7, and 23.4gr, 5 rounds each.

From Hornady.com, the acceptable range for TAC is 21.6gr to 24.7gr. My current plan would be loads at 21.6, 22.3, and 23.1gr, 5 rounds each.

From Hornady.com, the acceptable range for Varget is 21.7gr to 24.9gr. In the Lyman AR book, the acceptable range is 23.5 to 26gr (compressed). I will use the more conservative data from Hornady and try 21.7, 22.7, and 23.7gr, 5 rounds each.

My brass, FC 223 Rem, has been full length resized for my new AR (5.56 NATO chamber, 1:8 twist, 16" bbl), and has been checked with an L E Wilson gage. I measured 15 out of 50 cases with a caliper. Average = 1.7495" with a standard deviation of 0.0023. Max = 1.7545", min = 1.7430". I have not trimmed cases. Cases are primed with CCI BR-4 primers, which was the only thing available locally.

The plan is to chronograph each load and evaluate how each one groups.

Are the ranges and increments I've listed for these powders reasonable? I'm not looking for hot rod loads. I'll be evaluating my ability to hand load bottle necks and hopefully find a load that groups decently with the 62gr FMJBT.

Thanks for any help and advice.

 

[kelbro]

I would say that you're off to a great start. Varget was really good for me with the heavier bullets like 69gr and 75 gr.

 

[mrawesome22-250]

I like to be at whole or half grains.

For small cartridges like 223, lets say the range is 21.6 through 24.7gr.

My tests loads would go 5 of each at 21.5, 22.0, 22.5, 23.0, 23.5, 24.0, 24.5.

I've done it that way with many different cartridge, bullet, powder combinations, and have always found great loads doing it this way.

This is just how I do it. Large cartridges like 45-70 I'll go whole grain increments, then if I find I good load, I'll make some on the -.5gr and +.5gr sides of the charge weight to see if this will get even tighter.

Like I said, that's what works for me.

 

[entropy]

I'm new to loading bottle neck rounds, but not new to hand loading.

I have 62gr FMJBT for .223 Rem and three powders available,IMR 4064, TAC, and Varget.

From the Lyman AR Reloading Handbook, the acceptable range for IMR-4064 is 22.0gr to 25gr, and the 25gr load is compressed. I'm thinking about loads at 22.0, 23.7, and 23.4gr, 5 rounds each.

From Hornady.com, the acceptable range for TAC is 21.6gr to 24.7gr. My current plan would be loads at 21.6, 22.3, and 23.1gr, 5 rounds each.

From Hornady.com, the acceptable range for Varget is 21.7gr to 24.9gr. In the Lyman AR book, the acceptable range is 23.5 to 26gr (compressed). I will use the more conservative data from Hornady and try 21.7, 22.7, and 23.7gr, 5 rounds each.

My brass, FC 223 Rem, has been full length resized for my new AR (5.56 NATO chamber, 1:8 twist, 16" bbl), and has been checked with an L E Wilson gage. I measured 15 out of 50 cases with a caliper. Average = 1.7495" with a standard deviation of 0.0023. Max = 1.7545", min = 1.7430". I have not trimmed cases. Cases are primed with CCI BR-4 primers, which was the only thing available locally.

The plan is to chronograph each load and evaluate how each one groups.

Are the ranges and increments I've listed for these powders reasonable? I'm not looking for hot rod loads. I'll be evaluating my ability to hand load bottle necks and hopefully find a load that groups decently with the 62gr FMJBT.

Thanks for any help and advice.

Yes, if anything, on the milder side. ended up at 24.5 for Varget. Nothing wrong with that, my loads with Varget and IMR 4064 were close to your top one of each. I've never used TAC, so I can't comment on that one. If you can find Varget locally, stock up. IMR 4064 is an excellent back-up powder to it. I also mostly load with BL-C(2), I just posted my hunting load of that in .223 in the thread 'favorite hunting load' .

 

[sfl_gunner]

I’m doing some load development myself with TAC and 55 gr FMJ’s. I’ll keep you posted to see how mine goes. I’m doing 1/2 grain increments 23.5, 24, 24.5, 25, and 25.5. 5 shot groups for all. I don’t have a chronograph. So I’ll be making my judgement based on accuracy and pressure signs.

 

[Blue68f100]

I jump in 1% steps, so the 223 would be 0.3gr steps. The big jumps you have will more than likely jump you over the node. I do small 3 shot grouping for my initial testing for quick screening. Once I see a area I expand to each side in 0.1g increments to see how larger/wide the node may be. I don't spend much time below the lower 1/3 load range. I only use those to confirm my optics and crony before I start testing.

 

[horsey300]

I'm new to loading bottle neck rounds, but not new to hand loading.

I have 62gr FMJBT for .223 Rem and three powders available,IMR 4064, TAC, and Varget.

From the Lyman AR Reloading Handbook, the acceptable range for IMR-4064 is 22.0gr to 25gr, and the 25gr load is compressed. I'm thinking about loads at 22.0, 23.7, and 23.4gr, 5 rounds each.

From Hornady.com, the acceptable range for TAC is 21.6gr to 24.7gr. My current plan would be loads at 21.6, 22.3, and 23.1gr, 5 rounds each.

From Hornady.com, the acceptable range for Varget is 21.7gr to 24.9gr. In the Lyman AR book, the acceptable range is 23.5 to 26gr (compressed). I will use the more conservative data from Hornady and try 21.7, 22.7, and 23.7gr, 5 rounds each.

My brass, FC 223 Rem, has been full length resized for my new AR (5.56 NATO chamber, 1:8 twist, 16" bbl), and has been checked with an L E Wilson gage. I measured 15 out of 50 cases with a caliper. Average = 1.7495" with a standard deviation of 0.0023. Max = 1.7545", min = 1.7430". I have not trimmed cases. Cases are primed with CCI BR-4 primers, which was the only thing available locally.

The plan is to chronograph each load and evaluate how each one groups.

Are the ranges and increments I've listed for these powders reasonable? I'm not looking for hot rod loads. I'll be evaluating my ability to hand load bottle necks and hopefully find a load that groups decently with the 62gr FMJBT.

Thanks for any help and advice.

I like to be at whole or half grains.

For small cartridges like 223, lets say the range is 21.6 through 24.7gr.

My tests loads would go 5 of each at 21.5, 22.0, 22.5, 23.0, 23.5, 24.0, 24.5.

I've done it that way with many different cartridge, bullet, powder combinations, and have always found great loads doing it this way.

This is just how I do it. Large cartridges like 45-70 I'll go whole grain increments, then if I find I good load, I'll make some on the -.5gr and +.5gr sides of the charge weight to see if this will get even tighter.

Like I said, that's what works for me.

I jump in 1% steps, so the 223 would be 0.3gr steps. The big jumps you have will more than likely jump you over the node. I do small 3 shot grouping for my initial testing for quick screening. Once I see a area I expand to each side in 0.1g increments to see how larger/wide the node may be. I don't spend much time below the lower 1/3 load range. I only use those to confirm my optics and crony before I start testing.

these got the powder charge well covered .5 to .3 increments would be best, adding that I'd wonder are the 62 gr fmj copper/lead or m855-steel core? If steel I'd also reference Barnes load data for their 62.

 

[lordpaxman]

Are the ranges and increments I've listed for these powders reasonable?

They’re reasonable for the “start low and work up” plan. For your 4064 loads, is your last load’s numbers twiddled? 24.3 instead of 23.4? Just asking. Others have noted a smaller increment may help you find a node, however if I’m new to a caliber and powder combination, I like to load 3 in large increments, and chrono them just to see things are as expected. Then I go in to either an OCW workup or ladder test to find the nodes and hopefully a lands test to get good groups. Good luck!

 

[Bfh_auto]

I've found my best accuracy with 4064 in 223 right as it starts crunching powder.
It really isn't an ideal choice.

 

[kerreckt]

I have used TAC for 223/5.56 with good results. I have never used the others mention for this caliber so I have no comments about them. My best accuracy is in the 24gr. range with both 62gr and 55gr. Best wishes and good luck

 

[Telum Pisces]

Varget and .223 go together like peanut butter and jelly!

Just hard to find Varget right now. I'm down to my last pound. I'm saving it. Plinking rounds don't need MOA

 

[Dudedog]

Ramshot lists 5.56 data for TAC (higher pressure than .223 data),
in case your interested.


Here is Sierras data for a 63(from link on 6mm BR website)

 

[doctorjohn]

these got the powder charge well covered .5 to .3 increments would be best, adding that I'd wonder are the 62 gr fmj copper/lead or m855-steel core? If steel I'd also reference Barnes load data for their 62.

I took a closer look, and these are lead core/copper bullets.

 

[doctorjohn]

They’re reasonable for the “start low and work up” plan. For your 4064 loads, is your last load’s numbers twiddled? 24.3 instead of 23.4? Just asking. Others have noted a smaller increment may help you find a node, however if I’m new to a caliber and powder combination, I like to load 3 in large increments, and chrono them just to see things are as expected. Then I go in to either an OCW workup or ladder test to find the nodes and hopefully a lands test to get good groups. Good luck!

Yes, you're right. Dyslexia, old age, or not enough coffee... the last load for 4064 is twiddled.

 

[Skeptic13]

I would recommend that you cross reference the Hornady load data with the powder manufacturers data. Hornady is notorious for being very conservative with their loads. Hodgdon as well as other manufacturers have online load data that I rely on more than Hornady.

 

[chamokaneman]

I have used TAC for 223/5.56 with good results. I have never used the others mention for this caliber so I have no comments about them. My best accuracy is in the 24gr. range with both 62gr and 55gr. Best wishes and good luck

2nd on the TAC. I got good results in that general area with 55 grain FMJ. Do the work you're doing though.

 

[sfl_gunner]

First round of tests with Tac and 55 grain FMJ’s. All these were tested at 100 yards prone, supported by a sling.
23.5 - 2.5 MOA
24.0 - 1.6 MOA
24.5 - 2.5 MOA
25.0 - 2.5 MOA
25.5 - 1.75 MOA
Based on this I’m going to stick is 24.0. Because it’s plenty accurate for plinking.

 

[Random 8]

I think you're on the right track. You're maybe getting a little more precise than needed for the bullet/rifle you're loading for, but it won't hurt anything.

Just some notes from personal experience. IMR 4064 does not meter well. Not a good choice for volume loading/thrown charges in relatively small capacity cases. It is, however, known as a very accurate powder and it's versatility and data availability is second to none. It also appeared on the shelves more regularly than others during the last component panic. Think of it as the Unique of rifle powders.

Personally, for my ARs, I like loads that will reliably cycle the action, but definately not on the high end of the pressure curve. Less wear and tear on the shooter, firearm, etc. The .223 case is generally forgiving of less than max loads with most powders, you should be able to find a good load at 1-2 grains below max with most powders.

Varget is good stuff, but a victim of it's own popularity. Even in good times it can be difficult to find on the shelf. A similar but more expensive powder with generally same application is VN140. This tends to stay on the shelf longer due to the price. I wouldn't consider it for 40+ grain heavy caliber loads, but in the 20 something range for .223 it is more attractive. It is a fine powder known for good metering for an extruded type and fine accuracy.

I prefer match bullets or Speer soft points for general shooting. The price point vs FMJs is not great vs the time you invest in loading, and you generally get more accurate and versatile loads with hunting/varmint applications.