223 Load Thoughts

MetalMike

MetalMike

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Looking for a new load dev project to start for fun, any random thoughts/suggestions? These are the components I have on hand. I am open to other powder suggestions though.

Rifle: Browning X-Bolt 223 Rem, 22" sporter barrel, 1/12" twist
Purpose: Varmint(gophers), general target

Components-
Bullet: Speer 55 gr SP, Speer 52 gr HP, Speer 52 gr BTHP, Nosler 55 gr BT, Barnes 36 gr varmint grenade
Case: Winchester, Federal (AE), Remington umc, etc etc
Primer: CCI, federal
Powder: Varget, H322

Side note: I have lots of the first two bullets, which my rifle likes alot
 
From my reading - I just got into .223 myself - a 1-in-12" twist won't stabilize heavier than 60 grain bullets, so your bullet choices should be excellent. I hope to get some Varget and try reloading for .223 soon - keep us informed!
 
My buddy and I were loading for 2 diff guns , his was a bolt 1/12 and mine was a semi 1/9 twist , using 53 and 55g vmax bullets and h335 and cfe223 . The 53g vmax and CFE 223 outperformed the other combos.
 
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I would be trying some of the 40gr bullets. Devastating on gophers and super flat (within the ranges that you will be shooting gophers)
 
Neilm said:
I would be trying some of the 40gr bullets. Devastating on gophers and super flat (within the ranges that you will be shooting gophers)
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I have ran 40gr Vmax with CFE223 with spectacular results for the one gopher I have tagged. From facing me on all fours, I opened him from chin to about 3/4 of the way to his arse. This is the one load that I can run at a high speed while still being accurate. Almost everything else out of my savage 10PC is low to middle charge weight for optimum accuracy.

If the OP is looking to stay at 55gr, my recommendation is nosler's varmageddon HP or tipped. Accurate, explosive and price is great from my experience. And IMHO, the barnes varmint grenades are over-hyped.
 
gwesson said:
From my reading - I just got into .223 myself - a 1-in-12" twist won't stabilize heavier than 60 grain bullets, so your bullet choices should be excellent. I hope to get some Varget and try reloading for .223 soon - keep us informed!
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Berger 64 g bullets are stable in 1-12. I shoot them out to 600 no problem. 3000 fps. the wind can push it around a bit.

Almost any combination of bullets and powder he has will shoot just load a bunch up and head to the range. I found the varmint grenades a little temperamental in my rifle. I think it might be the wind pushes them around if they are not fired at stupid fast speeds.

If you go with 40 gr Amax IMR4198 or CFE223 3700 fps no problem, very accurate.
 
Thanks for the replies guys, I prepped some brass today and I will start loading them on my next day off. I just hate making decisions sometimes. I might see if I can find a can of CFE 223 to try like some of you have suggested, and I figure I might use those Noslers. I have never really considered the 40 grain bullets yet, for no particular reason that I can think of. I suppose they would make sense on gophers and such.

Easy 9mm - Have you used the Barnes VG? I have also heard it is hit or miss with them, and I am wondering if they are worth the effort to develop.
 
your best bet for delightful impact on gophers would be the 55BT or the varmint grenades. the varmint grenades are a bit of a wild card, they will fail to group well with one gun and then out of the blue they will print bugholes in another. both varget and h322 do well in the 223. if you previously found a load with the speer 55's that work well i would re work-up a load using the same powder/primer combination with the 55BT.
My gopher load for my 223 was varget cci primers and 55vmax with winchester brass.
 
MetalMike said:
Thanks for the replies guys, I prepped some brass today and I will start loading them on my next day off. I just hate making decisions sometimes. I might see if I can find a can of CFE 223 to try like some of you have suggested, and I figure I might use those Noslers. I have never really considered the 40 grain bullets yet, for no particular reason that I can think of. I suppose they would make sense on gophers and such.

Easy 9mm - Have you used the Barnes VG? I have also heard it is hit or miss with them, and I am wondering if they are worth the effort to develop.
Click to expand...

After testing the VG's, with numerous powders and 2 different rifles, the best groups were mediocre. With the best load I had was just over 1" at 100 yards. Good enough for critters at that range, but impacts weren't as dramatic as Barnes' claims. I have had more dramatic results with Vmax and Noslers consistently.

What range are you planning to shoot out to? The 40's will be effected by the wind more than the 55's, but if you are mostly within 200 yards, that may not be an issue.
 
As above. With any of the bullets you have, start at 23g 335 and work up, or 24g varget and work up - you'll find the sweet spot.
 
My 223 shoots best groups and good velocity with IMR 4895. H322 would be a better choice then Varget especially with 50/55 gr bullets. I've found IMR 4895 give best accuracy in 222, 223, 223AI, and 222 Rem Mag.
 
36gr. Barnes Varmint Grenades out of my Mossberg MVP group from 5/8" to sub moa @ 3700+fps with 26.7gr H335, 2.255" OAL.
55gr Hornady FMJ's and Nosler 69gr HPBT group even better. Those three loads comprise everything I need from that gun.

As always, work up your own loads. Don't trust mine.
 
Ive used 322 with the 36gr VG's and they shot around MOA, but wasnt impressed with the none flying gophers. Thought the lighter faster rounds would impress more.
 
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