first time reloading 223/556. Component suggestions

[anothernewb]

Okay, going to really try to not make this just another "how do I load 223" post. Going for something (I hope) won't make people groan at their computers.

Going to start working up 223 loads, and I have zero components (save for brass) as of yet. What I want to do is compile a list of perhaps the top 3 bullet weight/profiles and the top 3 powder choices that have generally, delivered steady accuracy potential. Hope that makes sense.

What I will be using, currently. Typical mid grade AR with a good scope and 1:7 twist 16" barrel. It's proven itself about 2-3 moa with the cheap 55 grain FMJ stuff, (some is better, some is worse) and about 1 with some 69 grain black hills re manufactured stuff. Although I admit I haven't really put the effort into shooting it as carefully to find it's true accuracy that I should really have.

I will also soon be purchasing either a Savage 25 in 223, or a CZ varminter in the same. I think each of those is a 1:9.
*Edit* pulled the trigger on the savage today. Found one for under 5 bills.

My goal with that one is teaching myself some longer range shooting, and will be going for peak accuracy

So the basic goal is to make a list of the most likely bullet and powder candidates to start working up load testing. I know there's about as many combinations for 223 as there are stars in the sky, but I'm hoping to create a short list of the most likely candidates to get me started.

 

[Ifishsum]

Top bullet choices for me would be the 69gr Sierra MK, 75gr Hornady HPBT and 77 gr SMK. Chances are that what shoots best in your 7 twist AR is not necessarily the best in a 1:9, but a 69gr match style bullet has the best chance to shoot well for both IMHO. I have 1:9 and 1:7 ARs and they both have a 69gr load I'll shoot a match with. Not sure how long range you're thinking, I've taken the 69gr out to 600 yds before but any wind at all becomes a huge issue. 300 is no problem.

There are a lot of great .223 powders available; what I use most is W748, BL-C(2) (both ball powders that meter great for volume loading) and Reloder15. Varget is also very good here. Look in a couple of load books for powders that provide good velocity for the bullet weight range you decide on.

 

[bocefus78]

H335 and varget have been my 2 "go to" powders.
As far as projectiles, for great accuracy the 69 and 77 grain Sierra match kings are hard to beat imo. They aren't cheap, so I also load various 55gr fmj that are much cheaper. Hornaday 55gr fmj are a good cheaper bullet. Also had great accuracy from 55gr varmint nightmare extreme hp from midsouth. These being a great mix of accuracy and price. $11 cents each, and moa or better if I do my part.

 

[anothernewb]

I think I have varget, and I know I have RL15, use that in my 308. My "long range" is the limit of my local range. slightly over 200 yards. Although there is a range with a 600 yard one about 15 miles from me I may join. But 99% of my shooting will be 200 yards and under, for the foreseeable future

 

[MtnCreek]

Two other powders are H4895 and IMR8208.

 

[spitballer]

A 7" twist may mean heavier bullets. My ammo revolves around a 12" twist but I enjoy the challenge of longer distances with the smaller pills. One of our resident experts suggested in one of his posts that most of the top shooters twist the bullet just enough to stabilize it and no more, so if I had a 7" twist I might be experimenting with 85-90 grainers. They have excellent sectional density as compared to the 55's also

 

[Blue68f100]

For my Wylde chambered AR with a 1:8 twist I've had good luck with Sierra 68gr HPBT-Match bullets and Varget. I've also have good luck with CFE-223 in 69 gr and 55gr Hornady FMJ-BT. I've had terrible luck with H335. W748 has what I call average.

With the heavier twist you will be giving up velocity with the lighter bullets. But you may have to work at it to find a load that works in your gun. You really can't over stabilize a bullet. Depending on what the jump is to your lands will govern what OAL works for you.

 

[derek45]

1:7 can shoot heavy bullets, but don't dismiss lighter match bullets

try some SIERRIA and Hornady 52gr HPBT with some Win-748

this load shoots great in just about any AR, including the faster twists

avoid FMJ if you're trying to shoot tiny 100 yrd groups.

Winchester are about the worst



hornady are about the best FMJ




handloading rifle requires lubing the case before resizing, and trimming the mouth after.

 

[David4516]

I can second H335, it's my go-to powder for .223 (and .30-30 too)

My friend has had good luck with IMR 4895.

We're both shooting 1:9 twist barrels

As for bullets, I like the Hornady 55gr soft point, it's one of the cheaper options but has been surprisingly accurate for me. I also just bought a box of the 53gr to try out, it has a really good ballistic coefficient for a bullet that light..

 

[jb27]

Another vote for 69 or 77 gr SMK. The 77 gr will match up better with your 1:7 AR but you may be limited with your OAL unless you are loading 1 at a time. 69 gr would be plenty fine going out to 200 yds in both guns. I've used several different powders with 69 SMK's and settled in using RL15 as my favorite with Rem 7 1/2 primers.

 

[jb27]

One other thought is you didn't mention what press you'll be using and how you'll be dispensing powder. As I'm sure you're aware, metering for RL15 and Varget isn't the best. H-335 and Ramshot TAC are both great 223 powders that meter well. I use either TAC or H-335 for my bulk loading (progressive) but RL15 for my precision loads weighing charges individually.

 

[hdwhit]

.223 Load

Most of my .223 goes through a Ruger Mini-14, so I tend to favor powders that burn a little more quickly to take full advantage of the 18 inch barrel.

My favorite load is a Hornady 60 grain Hollow Point on top of 20.4 grains of IMR4198 which chronographs close to 2900 fps.

I also have had very good experience with 52 grain Speer Hollow Point on top of 21.4 grains of IMR4198 which chronographs just under 3100 fps.

Both of these loads are below the maximum loads listed in the Hornaday manual, 4th Edition and the Speer manual, number 11, respectively. I know both manuals are ancient (like their owner) but their loads have shot well and haven't blown up my rifle or over-stressed my brass for thirty-five years.

 

[gojuice101]

My go-to powders for 223 are H4895, Varget, and Reloder 10x. Reloder 10x is my favorite from that list, and has given me the best loads. As for bullets, I just use what I can get locally, which is usually just 50gn Hornady SP or 55gn FMJ. My 223 is just my fun gun, so I don't focus on ultimate accuracy with it. Therefore, for you, there might be better bullets available.

 

[Itzdapig]

RL15 for 69 & 77g
RL7 and exterminator for 55 and under.

 

[ColoradoShooter77]

The Hornady 55 grain spire point-soft point is a very accurate bullet and about the same cost as the FMJ's.

As far as powder goes, I've had good luck with IMR-8208, H-4895, and AA-2460.

 

[BrianC636]

Another vote for the hornady 55gr sp bullet but I have been using Benchmark as my powder of choice because it meters well and the load I have for it shoots good groups.

 

[Hondo 60]

The twist rate on your barrel will help you decide what bullets to buy.
So first of all learn what that twist rate is.
I've seen 1-in-7 to as much as 1-in-12

Mine is a 1-in-9" so bullets in the 50-62 grain weight work best.
Any heavier than that won't stabilize as well, so it wouldn't be as accurate.

My rifle likes 55gr bullets with a load of 26.0 gr of Varget.

Hope this gives you something to think about.

 

[FROGO207]

I have three Mini 14's, a Savage bolt and two Handi Rifles. They all have their special loads but the best propellants with all of them is Reloader 10-X with Tac coming in really close behind. I also like H 335 and IMR 4198 for good consistent loads in 223. I use 55 to 75 grain bullets of various makes and quality and get fair to great results. YMMV