Sub 300m target loads for a 1/12" .223 what direction to take?

[R.W.Dale]

I'm in the planning stages of working up accuracy loads for a older first run Cz 527 varmint Kevlar with a 1/12" twist.

Essentally there seems to be two schools of thought for ideal - 300m loads.

A. Light and fast as possible

B. Heavy for twist and slower

one thing I notice is how suprisingly similar the wind drift numbers are comparing a 3600+ 45g load to a 3100fps 60grainer

what's your approach to ACCURACY loads for 300m and under? I'm particularly interested in how well fast light loads group at this range

 

[LeonCarr]

I would start with 52 grain Sierra Matchkings and H335 for a 1/12 twist. Shoots great in every .223 I have ever shot, including 1/7 twist ARs. Good case prep, good reloading dies and using solid bench and bag techniques go a long way in getting good groups also.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

 

[GooseGestapo]

Well, for over 50yrs the Bench Rest competitors have been using 50-53gr .224"bullets. Most BR rifles since the 1950's have used either 1/14" or 1/12"

I suggest the 50gr Nosler or Sierra's, or any of the 52-53gr Match bullets. A friends .22PPC a few yrs back was really accurate with the Euber 53gr FB match bullets. At 200yds, It'd consistently shoot in the 0.3's on a calm day. But on a windy day he's switch over to the 6mmPPC.

If it's windy, the 52gr BTHP's, or pehaps a 55gr such as the Nosler B.T.'s or Sierra BlitzKing might be better. It really depends on the rifle and IT'S preference.

H322, Varget and BLC2 have been my choice powders for the .223. But lately I've been shooting a lot of RL15.

 

[Walkalong]

My .222 Mag 1 in 14 twist loves the 50, 52, 53, & 55 Gr bullets. It did OK with 60 Gr bullets, and did not shoot well with some Win 64 Gr bullets. That may have just been the bullet though, and 1 in 12 might do it. I never tried anything lighter. It should shoot them well though.

It would shoot the Hornady 50 & 55 Gr SPs into one ragged hole at 100 yards, so that is what I stuck with. They shot great at 300 and out as well, but I never measured any groups. Varmint loads, not target loads. If it could plug a sparrow at that range, I was happy. Crows were too easy. One of these days I am going to try some V Max's in it. They had not been invented yet when I worked up loads for my Sako. I bought some Speer 50 Gr TNT bullets when they came out, but never tried them. I still have the box of 1K, minus a few I tried in something else.

If you go heavier, you have to go faster to try to stabilize them, but can run out of room/pressure to get them there.

 

[Rancho Relaxo]

Both my 223 CZs really do well with 50 grain Sierras and H335. I use these bullets for mostly 300 yards and under, although occasionally I'll go farther.

 

[Jim Watson]

My old 788 does best with the 52 gr SMK, and I think it would be a good start for any .22 centerfire, even though others might do well in individual guns.
I usually load 748 powder but think the bullet is more important than the powder.

 

[Walkalong]

but think the bullet is more important than the powder.

I'll second that. If you are looking for match accuracy, use a match bullet. But hey, you know that.

 

[45ACPUSER]

I would trial and error things, but I would suggest 52gr Sierra BTHP #1410 since you can find them unlike the Hornady version. The 55gr Nosler BT has always given me excellent accuracy with 223 in 1/12, 1/9,1/8, and 1/7 twist bbls.

 

[R.W.Dale]

LOL while in Tulsa I stopped by Dong's and picked up a box of 53g matchking HP's

 

[nastynatesfish]

52 gr a max bullet in front of 25 gr on reloader 10x will give you all day 2'' groups out of my little cheap NEF

 

[Clarence]

I would start with the Sierra 52 gr Matchking and H-335 powder. That's probably all you need..........but I've had wonderful results using Nosler BallisticTips as well.

 

[Afy]

I shoot the 53 grain bullets to great accuracy in my .222 RM and .22-250 with N150

 

[R.W.Dale]

BUMP


I've sent some 40 Sierra 53grain HP MK's downrange propelled by various charges of h335 with what I must say are disappointing results so far averaging 0.91" for 8x 5 shot groups at 100yds with lots of single and double fliers

I think I'll back up and punt and try a different powder, bullet AND primer combo

I'm thinking n-120 with 50g B-tips and a cci 400 primer

 

[X-Rap]

What kind of scope are you using, you may well be shooting within the abilities of your glass.
The 223 that I use for my load development has a 12X burris with 1/8 dot. To coarse a crosshair or poor scope will be a serious limiting factor.

 

[R.W.Dale]

I'm using a fine crosshaired leupold 36x that could get me into the .2's with my other rifle