Best load for a .223 Thompson 10'

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Not sure if light or heavy is the way to go from a 10' barrel.
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I think that would depend more on the twist rate of the barrel. Generally, heavy bullets for faster twists, and lighter for slower twists.
 
Guys, I think that was a typo? Give the poor fella a break. :rolleyes:


As most reloading manuals will tell you, you will get top velocities out of your 10-12" barrel with the same loads you use in rifle length barrels.


Personal favorites as far as powders go, for the twist rates available in TC's, are Varget, BL-C2, IMR/H 4198, W-748. Now I haven't tried RL-10 and that is supposed to be a dandy in a 223...but thats rumor to me.

The contenders tend to go with a slower twist rate...1-10 and 1-12. I haven't tried any bullet over 62 gr. in my barrel...and have had good luck with those choices...most accurate bullet so far is the Nosler BT 40 gr. bullet and the Sierra 55 gr. Blitzking. Some that are on my list of must try are the Barnes Varminator 40 gr. hp's. Mind you now that you lose alot of velocity with the shorter barrels...not sure yet as I am in need of a new sky screen rod for my chrony...it got cut in half...won't go into that...but you still have enough velocity at 150 yards to send up the red clouds...
 
Ohen, my 10" 223 Contender really likes Federal Premium 55 grain Sierra Gameking, sub 2" at 200 yards for 5 shots. I haven't shot enough of the Black Hills 52 grain Match yet in the Contender but it looks like it will be as good or nearly so.

As far as handloads go I haven't done much development for mine, the factory ammo shoots so well and I just don't shoot the Contender enough to worry about it. Putting a couple boxes through the Contender takes a while.

I have never had worse than 4" groups at 100 yards, even with the cheapest surplus ammo, from the bench so odds are good you will find a good load easily.
 
My Contender likes 23 grains of Accurate 2330 and a 52 grain Sierra HPBT Match bullet. It also likes 24.5 grains of HP4895 and a 53 grain Horndy HP Match bullet. Good luck.
 
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