.224 Nosler Partitions 60gr

[KansasSasquatch]

I know .223 isnt what some people would consider being a suitable white-tail cartridge, but it is legal in my state. All that aside, I'm looking to work up a load for my wife to use. Last year I wanted to work up a reduced .30-06 load for her but I didnt have much luck with that, didnt matter anyways because we found out just before rifle season that baby #2 is on the way and we didnt want her out in the cold hunting. So now, I'm looking ahead for next year.

The rifle to be used is a Savage Edge (Axis) w/ Rifle Basix trigger and Nikon 3-9x40 scope. Generally speaking all shots will be within 125 yards. So far this rifle has proven 3/4 MOA accurate with 55gr V-Max loaded with CFE-223. But the Partitions are new to me. Anyone have experience with these bullets? Which powder(s) have made for a good combo? I understand that every rifle is different, just looking for a starting point without burning through several boxes of premium bullets.

If it helps the rifle powders I have on hand are CFE-223, H4895, TAC, Benchmark, Varget, H380, H414, and IMR4350. I know there isnt data in my manuals nor on Hodgdon's website for the last 3 powders. I have much more CFE-223 than anything else but it seems to be somewhat picky in my experience. H4895 gives the highest velocity, in my manuals, but I havent used it much, and only in .30 cartridges. TAC, well I havent had time to experiment with it since buying it. Benchmark and Varget...... I love them both. They've proven very accurate for me in .223. It doesnt seem to matter what bullet I'm using, just use a charge weight in the published ranges and BANG! MOA accuracy in .223, not that I would do that though. So my gut tells me to use Varget or Benchmark. The published load velocities arent substantially different enough for me to be concerned about. I'm leaning more towards Benchmark as it doesnt require a compressed charge to MAX out at 24.6gr while Varget at 27.0gr STUFFS a .223 casing. In fact, I dont believe I've ever been able to get more than 26.7gr of Varget in a .223 trimmed to 1.750".

So, what do yall think if you've read this far and have experience with these Partitions? Does it seem like Benchmark would be the powder to start with? Or do you have better suggestions? I'm all ears....or eyes I guess.

 

[jwrowland77]

My daughter killed her first deer using the 60gr Partition over H4895. Dropped her in her tracks. I got excellent accuracy with the H4895. I didn't look any further after getting 1/2 MOA at 100yd with the combo. She was shooting a Rossi single shot .223.

 

[GooseGestapo]

Either the H4895, CFE223, or the TAC will "work".
Which is better will depend on your rifle.

I suggest that you don't NEED the Nosler Partitions. They're good bullets, for sure. But not necessary.
I've only recovered one 60gr or Heavier bullet from the several dozen deer I've shot with the .223 and .22-250. It was shot at close range (30yds) and was an angling frontal shot that raked from shoulder to ham. Recovered 60gr Hornady PtSpt was 38gr and classic balled mushroom. (M4orgery .223, ~2,750fps). These bullet are 1/3 the expense of the Noslers.
fwiw; the last deer I shot was with a Mossberg MVP (20"bbl 1/9"twist) with the Berger 70gr VLD. Load is 26.0gr BLC2 for ~2,800fps. Shot was ~30yds, pass through heart shot that broke left leg and exited behind right leg. 1" exit wound, massive trauma to chest cavity. Or, about like a 100gr "anything" from a .243 or .257... Or 200gr from .338 or .35...
Shot placement, 3x...

Edited to add; Benchmark has given me excellent results with 50-55gr bullets. I prefer a slower powder for heavier bullets. My favorite, RL15 is in low supply and availability. I have a LOT of BLC2, and H4895 however, and a pound of TAC. I vote for the CFE223 however as it's given me very good accuracy of what little I've tried it. (only 55gr fmj's for AR).

 

[JimKirk]

I shoot the Nosler Partitions 60 grs in my AR ... I use TAC and RL15 ... have not failed yet ... I can get about 1.25" groups at 100 yds ... good enough for the range I can shoot which is less than that in the woods..

 

[ArchAngelCD]

If you're going to shoot a .223 for deer I would be more comfortable with a heavier bullet than usually shot at paper. I really like the Nosler Partition bullet and I think it's a good choice for a hunting bullet in the .223, especially in a bolt action rifle.

You are in luck, Nosler has load data on their site and they list the powders you want to use including CFE223, Varget and Benchmark.
http://www.nosler.com/nosler-load-data/223-remington/
Mind you, the Nosler data is usually on the conservative side. As with your experience Nosler is reporting Benchmark as the most accurate powder.
I like the accuracy of Varget in a bolt action .223 rifle but I have found it does not generate the usual velocity associated with that cartridge. In most cases it can be up to 200 fps less and while I don't believe velocity is everything I do feel it's necessary with light bullet in small calibers when hunting deer size game. (all IMO of course) You wanted to use CFE223 and they have data so if you can find an acceptably accurate load you are set.

Keep us updated on your load progress, I'm interested in your results. Good luck.

 

[Panfisher]

Have killed 3 white tails with 60 grain Nosler partition it's what it was made to do. My load is with IMR 4895, keep the velocity at decent level and if it shoots well in your rifle search no further. I have since tried 55 gr Barnes tsx but can't tell any difference on white tails. Dead is dead if your wife puts bullet where it needs to be, keep your knife sharp and camera charged up.

 

[KansasSasquatch]

I think I'm gonna start with 22.0gr of Benchmark and work up to 24.5gr. Thats what the Lyman 49th shows for a 60gr V-Max. Should be in the ballpark of 2600-3000fps per Lyman's data. If that doesnt work out I may just have an excuse to crack open the TAC. And if that doesnt work I think I'll go to ole faithful, Varget. By then I'll surely have to pick up some more Partitions. Just might do that anyways as it looks like Midway has them on sale much cheaper than I paid at the local Cabela's.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I think I'm gonna start with 22.0gr of Benchmark and work up to 24.5gr. Thats what the Lyman 49th shows for a 60gr V-Max. Should be in the ballpark of 2600-3000fps per Lyman's data. If that doesnt work out I may just have an excuse to crack open the TAC. And if that doesnt work I think I'll go to ole faithful, Varget. By then I'll surely have to pick up some more Partitions. Just might do that anyways as it looks like Midway has them on sale much cheaper than I paid at the local Cabela's.

You said you wanted to use CFE223 and now you changed to Benchmark? Did you check the Hodgdon site to see the data I mentioned?

 

[BigBore45]

i used a 64 gr. winchester power point for my friend. Behind h-335 and benchmark and h-380 and varget. he was shooting a Black rain ar-15. the varget was the most accurate in his rifle. he hit a doe heart and lung, ran 30 yards went down for the count. hit another one the next night with me there, hit back and high just catching the lungs and it went down got back up ran 50 yards and was shot again by a .308 but she seemed to just get the wind knocked out of here and got up and ran pretty strong. he got a third deer with a front shoulder shot and he had to hit it 3 more time to get it down shot in lung area high back and neck. all first shots inside 125 yards. it will kill them just have to have extremely good shot placement. the bullet we recovered mushroomed and retained most of the weight, just not like that .308 heavy bullet though.

 

[KansasSasquatch]

You said you wanted to use CFE223 and now you changed to Benchmark? Did you check the Hodgdon site to see the data I mentioned?

No sir, I never said that I WANTED to use CFE-223. I said that I have more of it than any of my other rifle powders. It meters extremely well, burns pretty clean, delivers good velocity (according to manuals, I dont have a chrono), and delivers pretty good groups when I can find a good load. The problem I have with it is that finding a good load is tough compared to when I use Varget or Benchmark.

All the data I have available for CFE-223, including that Nosler data, does indeed show it'll give the highest velocity. In my OP i said my H4895 gives the highest velocity according to my manuals, and that is also an accurate statement as none of my manuals list CFE-223. But even going by the online resources, CFE-223 probably isnt going to deliver a very noticeable velocity gain over the other powders that I have. About 100fps more tops, if the data all pans out correct. A Benchmark load (or any) at 3000fps at the muzzle should still be over 2500fps at 100 yards. I think I'm good with those numbers. If Benchmark or Varget cant deliver the accuracy I want, using CFE223 definitely isn't out of the question.