Pet loads/favorite powder, for the Mini 14/55g ZMAX

[SARuger]

I'm getting ready to run my ladder test for my new Mini and the 55g ZMAX bullet. I scored 2,000 of them locally for a great price.

My ladder test loads are with CFE-223 but I have other powders or can get other powders.

I'm interested in hearing what powder other Mini owners like with a 55g pill.......

My Mini is a 583 series.

 

[Walkalong]

What powders do you have?

 

[SARuger]

IMR 4064, BL-C2, h335, varget, 748, rl15 CFE 223. I can get whatever though

 

[arisch]

25.4gr imr 8208xbr seated to 2.255" has been a hell of a load in multiple guns. All under .5" at a hundred yards. My best with my S&W M&P15 1in8 was .265" 5 shot group.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

 

[Dudedog]

BLC(2),TAC Tie (need to work on TAC loads some more) H335 and 8208 XBR are what I have used.

My Mini seemed to prefer BLC(2). With 55s 26.2-26.5 seemed to be the sweet spot.

When loading for the Mini and my AR I prefer powder that meter well thru the measure. (Lee Prodisk double disk)
All 4 fill the bill the first three measure a hair better than 8208.

 

[SARuger]

I have several pounds of BLC-2, that looks like the way to go in my case since my bolt gun likes it as well.

I'm metering through the LEE Auto Drum.

 

[JimKirk]

TAC has been working very well with my 16" AR and Hornady V-Max bullets which are close the same as Z-Max 55 gr . ......

 

[SARuger]

The ZMax is kind of a gimicky bullet with the whole "zombie" BS that i don't buy into. But the projectile itself should do several jobs well if needed. AND I couldn't beat the price.

I'm going to run up some BLC-2 ladder loads to try today along with the CFE 223 loads that I have.

 

[Walkalong]

I bought some for the same reason, they were priced well under the normal V-Max prices. Still have a few hundred.

 

[hdwhit]

.223 Remington, 55 grain jacketed bullet:
* WW748, 27.2 grains
* IMR 4198, 20.3 grains

 

[SARuger]

Well, that didn't go so well.......but not bad either!

I had a ladder test set up of CFE 223 and BLC-2, but before I began the test I had to sight in the scope I mounted for the test. For sight in purposes I loaded 30 rounds of 55g ZMAX/26g of CFE 223. Sight in went well and that load grouped very good at 100yrds, just slightly above MOA at 1-1/8".

I ran my loads at .5g increments starting at min and going to just below max (using Hornady manual).

The lower loads had some spread and velocity was jumping all over the place, not sure what that was about.

But but the time I got into the 26g/2700fps range the groups were getting tight.......then the scope fell off! I had it TIGHT too!

The only ammo I had with me was my ladder test loads so I couldn't get the scope back to zero and still run the test. Lesson learned, carry more ammo!

It looks like the sweet spot is between 26g and 26.5g for both powders. My BLC-2 loads showed pressure signs at 27g so I won't go that high and my velocity at that load was 2880+/-

I am seating at 2.20 OAL, so I bet I'm too far off the lands. I might try seating to 2.25 OAL.

The Mini ran like a swiss watch, not a single issue. If I were to keep a scope on this rifle, I would not use the Ruger mounts, not crazy about them at all.

 

[LoonWulf]

Ive only run 65grns and heavier thru my mini, but so far cfe223 and w748 have been the best for my particular gun, a 580 series. couple things i noticed that helped is loading out as far as you can, and not sizing cases back all the way. The second may be an issue if reliability is paramount, but ive found my mini will close properly on case that provide a little resistance. so what i do is size them just beyond that point, so if one does stick a bit its not enough to tie up the gun. Again i wouldnt do that on fighting ammo, but i do it for my hunting ammo, and groups usually run around 1"....also take a look at leupolds low rings, they will clear a 30mm objective and are just about the perfect height for the factory stock.

 

[Dudedog]

Purple loctite (low strength) is your friend. I always try purple first then Blue if necessary.

 

[SARuger]

I usually do use blue loctite on my scope rings/mounts but this was only getting a scope to run the ladder test then it was coming off. This is my bug out gun and I want it simple and reliable.