Load for 223 50 vmax benchmark 1-8 ar15?

[rockyvarminter]

Hello Guys,

Looking for some help on cooking up a load for a RRA Varminter in 223, 1-8 twist 24" barrel. I would like to shoot 50 gr vmaxes with Benchmark, Winchester cases and CCI SR primers loading out of a Dillon 650. Would also like to know your cartridge overall length. Do these have to be loaded as short as they say in the manual or can you load them just short enough to fit in the mags? Trying to zero in on a go to load for prairie dogs.

Thanks in advance.

 

[ants]

I like Benchmark for 52 to 55 grain bullets.

Lyman even lists it as an accuracy load for light bullets.

I shoot 52 grain Nosler Custom Comp, not 50 grain Vmax, but they are similar except the tip. You should start at starting load and work up, but my accuracy load for the Noslers is 25.5 grains BM loaded from 2.240 to 2.250 inches*. I used to put a very, very light Lee FCD finish on the necks to help hold the bullet, but I quit doing that.

That particular load works great in both 16" barrel with 1:9 twist, and 24" barrel with 1:8 twist.

*This is OAL with Nosler hollow point. The poylmer tip on your Hornady will take you out to magazine length 2.260". Don't forget that the plastic tip adds a little to overall length.

 

[ants]

Where are my manners...

And welcome to the Forum, rocky.

 

[rockyvarminter]

Thanks ants

Thanks ants for the welcome and the info. Haven't been reloading very long. I have tried out a few loads with 55 and 50 gr vmaxes and Barnes 50gr Varmint Grenades using both Varget and Benchmark. But it is time consuming resetting the machine for experimentation so I thought if somebody already had a good load for my gun, I could settle in on it and leave the machine set up for the same load all the time.

 

[tommyintx]

if you're going to hunt coyotes.. i'd highly recommend the varmint grenades.. not just because of fragmentation/energy transfer but they have plain clean quick kills, and are alot more forgiving on shot placement. You won't damage the pelt as bad easily, as varmint grenades don't penetrate very deep.. most of the time with 36 grainers at approx 4000 fps the copper jacket won't go throw an oppossum completely.. very clean.

I use 50 grain vmax's in 22250, 55 grain btips in .223 ar, and 40 grain moly btip&vmax in .223 bolt.. i also have a 6mm-250 that uses the 62 GR v.grenade, and i have tried the 36g v.grenade in 223 and 22250. very very potent.

 

[rockyvarminter]

Thanks for the info tommy. I will be using the loads on paper and pdogs mostly. Trying to find the ultimate pdog vaporizer round. What twist barrel are you shooting on your ar?