223 Rem / 5.56 Recipe book

yan014

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Good day ladies and gentleman,

Let's start a Recipe book for everyone to post their winning recipes in 223 Rem / 5.56 X 45

First and foremost, there are a few things that need to happen here for this post to be successful.

1: We need to stick to a pre-established format.
2: We only post recipes. No congratulations, questions or any other posts than recipes.
3: Questions or congrats to posters about certain recipes to be directed via PM so it doesn't clutter the original post with things other than recipes.

One very important thing, a recipe that works in a firearm may not work in yours. When the recipe is HOT (close or above recommended amount of powder), work your way up to it. . This is serious stuff. It can cause catastrophic failure of your firearm or hurt you or someone. We are mostly all grown ups, let's use our heads if the recipe is hot. WORK UP TO IT.

Here's a format that seems to make sens.

Caliber:
Rifle brand:
Rifle Model:
Custom built:
Barrel length and twist:
Projectile brand, model and weight:
Powder brand and weight:
LOAD CONSIDERED HOT OR CLOSE TO MAX:
Primers:
Coal:
Ogive length:
Brass:
Brass length:
Distance to lands:

Results at 100, 200, 300 (whatever is available)

If available:
Velocity (average):
Outside temperature:
Wind and direction:
Barometric pressure and other relevant data:

Thank you very much everyone and let's make this a successful post for everyone that are getting into reloading a new caliber or are lost in the amount of options available in this caliber. This will also be awesome for anyone who's looking for a start point or simply improve their own recipe or try something else. It will also tremendously simplify the search and the amount of time spent on the search button option and the read through the hundreds of posts and irrelevant reading someone will have to go through in order to get a start point!

We all know that something that does wonders in someone's rifle may not work in someone else's rifle even if it is the exact same thing only a few different serial number away.

Once again, thank you everyone for your participation in this recipe and let's make it a go to for anyone who needs it.
 
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Caliber: 223 Wylde
Rifle brand: Savage
Rifle Model: Model 12 F/TR
Custom built: Shilen Select SS match barrel
Barrel length and twist: 30" 1:7 twist
Projectile brand, model and weight: Hornady Amax 80gr
Powder brand and weight: Varget 23.5gr
LOAD CONSIDERED HOT OR CLOSE TO MAX: nope
Primers: CCI450
Coal: not measured
Ogive length: 1.935" (cbto)
Brass: PRVI
Brass length: 1.750"
Distance to lands: 0.010"

Results at 100, 200, 300 (whatever is available)
0.5 - 0.75 MOA (I'm the limiting factor)

If available:
Velocity (average): 2775fps
Outside temperature: varies
Wind and direction: varies
Barometric pressure and other relevant data: ??? maybe 250-500m above sea level
 
Caliber:223 REM
Rifle brand: custom
Rifle Model:
Custom built:Barnard
Barrel length and twist: 30.5" 1/666 T
Projectile brand, model and weight: Berger 80.5 gr
Powder brand and weight: Varget 24.7
LOAD CONSIDERED HOT OR CLOSE TO MAX:warm
Primers:cci br 4
Coal:
Ogive length:
Brass:Lapua
Brass length:1.750
Distance to lands:Kissing
View attachment 86503View attachment 86504
 
Caliber:223 REM
Rifle brand: custom
Rifle Model:
Custom built:Barnard
Barrel length and twist: 30.5" 1/666 T
Projectile brand, model and weight: Berger 80.5 gr
Powder brand and weight: Varget 24.7
LOAD CONSIDERED HOT OR CLOSE TO MAX:warm
Primers:cci br 4
Coal:
Ogive length:
Brass:Lapua
Brass length:1.750
Distance to lands:Kissing
View attachment 86503View attachment 86504

Holy cow... ! Awesome groups... !
 
Caliber: 223 Remington
Rifle brand: Remington
Rifle Model: 700 VTR
Barrel length and twist: 22" 1-9"
Projectile brand, model and weight: Sierra 69 grain Match King.
Powder brand and weight: Hogdon Benchmark 22.5gr
LOAD CONSIDERED HOT OR CLOSE TO MAX: nope
Primers: Remington bench rest
Coal: 2.250"
Ogive length:
Brass: IVI
Brass length: 1.750"
Distance to lands:

Results at 100, 200, 300 (whatever is available)
Half minute to 300 yards. .75 moa after that
Not worth Shooting past 650 or so.

If available:
Velocity (average): 2800fps
Outside temperature: varies
Wind and direction: varies
 
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Caliber: 223 Remington
Rifle Brand: Remington
Rifle Model: 700 SPS, standard barrel
Barrel length and twist: 24", 1:12
Projectile: Speer, TNT, 50 grain
Powder: Hodgdon, H 322, 24.5 grains
Load considered hot/max?: yes
Primers: Federal 205 small rifle
COL: 2.3255"
Ogive:
Brass: Remington
Brass length: 1.7445"
Distances to lands: candled just off lands

Chrony: 3,130 fps
Results: 3/16" @ 100 yards

Note: this rifle would shoot barely MOA with its original synthetic stock and sometimes threw shots wildly
...I installed a Boyd's laminate Classic Model and have not looked back since
...I use this on coyotes on my farm to 300 yards with 100% consistent results

2crk28w.jpg
 
Caliber: 223 Rem
Rifle brand: Tavor, Colt, Windham Weaponry
Rifle Model: Tavor TAR-21, Colt IUR 15.7", Windham Weaponry MPC
Custom built:
Barrel length and twist:
Projectile brand, model and weight: Campro FMJ BT 55gr
Powder brand and weight: Varget 24gr
LOAD CONSIDERED HOT OR CLOSE TO MAX:
Primers: S&B
Coal: 2.20"
Ogive length: via Hornady comparator 2.871"
Brass: mixed
Brass length: 1.737" trim length
Distance to lands:
 
Cartridge: .223 Remington
Rifle brand: Savage
Rifle Model: 16 FLHSS
Custom built: no, stock rifle with Accustock & Accutrigger
Barrel length and twist: 22" SS Sporter profile @ 1:9"
Projectile brand, model and weight: Hornady BTHP Match
Powder brand and weight: Hodgdon Varget @ 24.5 grains
LOAD CONSIDERED HOT OR CLOSE TO MAX: I'd say mid-range, but no Manufacturer data is available for 68gr bullets
Primers: CCI #450 Mag Small Rifle primer
COAL: 2.300"
Ogive length: unknown
Brass: Hornady
Brass length: 1.750"
Distance to lands: approx. 0.040"
Velocity (average): 2925 FPS
Outside temperature: ~ 15 deg C
Wind and direction: 90deg crosswind @ 8-16km
Barometric pressure and other relevant data: approx. 760mm

Shot much better in zero-wind conditions @ 50 meters (1 ragged hole)
The grouping below was shot off a Herters folding bench in gusty crosswind conditions, and still held about 1" @ 125 yds.
All 10 shots taken within 10 minutes, thru a Sporter/pencil barrel. It got very hot, too hot to hold actually.
* after shot #2 I dialed the elevation the wrong way, that's why #3 dropped more than the rest...

20170522_202249_zpswbmbzw8s.jpg
 
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Caliber: .223 Remington
Rifle brand: Savage
Rifle Model: VSS DBM
Custom built: NO
Barrel length and twist: 26"/ 1:9 twist
Projectile brand, model and weight: Hornady 73 gr. ELD Match
Powder brand and weight: 23.3
LOAD CONSIDERED HOT OR CLOSE TO MAX: Mid load
Primers: Fed SR Match
Coal: will vary by rifle if you want to go .010" off lands
Ogive length:N/A
Brass: Lapua
Brass length: 1.750"
Distance to lands: .010"

Results at 100, 200, 300 (whatever is available)

Net group size: .386"
Velocity (average):N/A
Outside temperature: 12C
Wind and direction:N/A
Barometric pressure and other relevant data:N/A

20170601_071225_zps76nhmcme.jpg
 
22.5 gr - N130 @ 3184fps

Caliber:223
Rifle brand:S&W
Rifle Model:MP15
Custom built:NO
Barrel length and twist: 16" 1/9
Projectile brand, model and weight: Hornady 55gr FMJ-BT with Cannelure
Powder brand and weight: Vihta Vuori N130 - 22.5gr
LOAD CONSIDERED HOT OR CLOSE TO MAX: No
Primers: Winchester small riffle
Coal: 2.200"
Ogive length:
Brass: FC (federal) 1st time reloading
Brass length: 1.745"
Distance to lands:

Results at 100, 200, 300 (whatever is available)

If available:
Velocity (average): 3184
Average Deviations: 18.8 (10 rounds)
Standard Deviations: 21.7 (10 rounds)
Outside temperature: 9C
Wind and direction:
Barometric pressure and other relevant data: 1022 kPa

First 5 shots - distance aprox 25 yards using iron sights. Free standing. AS you can see, my second shot is to the left, I knew that I pulled one lol


2nd group - just under 75 yards - leaned across shooting bench, again iron sights
 
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MUKEfOw.jpg


Caliber:223
Rifle brand:Spikes Tactical
Rifle Model: ST-15
Custom built: Yes
Barrel length and twist: 14.5" Noveske 1/7
Projectile brand, model and weight: Hornady 55gr V-Max AMP Jacket
Powder brand and weight: Winchester 748 26gr
LOAD CONSIDERED HOT OR CLOSE TO MAX: No
Primers: CCI BR4
Coal: 2.300"
Ogive length: 1.935"
Brass: Remington (flash holes de-burred, full case sized, reloaded 2-3 times previously).
Brass length: 1.755"
Distance to lands: 0.020"

Results at 100: .980"

If available:
Velocity (average):
Average Deviations:
Standard Deviations:
Outside temperature: 14C
Wind and direction: Nil
Barometric pressure and other relevant data:

OTfteCO.jpg


This was the best group from a ladder test using Winchester 748 and Hornady 55gr V-Max & Varmint bullets.
I tried both bullets with powder loads 25gr, 25.5gr, 26gr and 26.5gr.
I have used Varget 23.5gr with Hornady 55gr Varmint bullets in the past but it wasn't consistent enough.
 
Caliber:223 Wylde
Rifle brand: Knights Armament (KAC)
Rifle Model: SR15
Custom built: Yes
Barrel length and twist: 1:8 18" Rainier Arms Ultra Match (Shilen)
Projectile brand, model and weight: Hornady 75gr Match
Powder brand and weight: IMR 8208 XBR / 23.3gr
LOAD CONSIDERED HOT OR CLOSE TO MAX: Very hot, passed maximum.
Primers: WIN WSR
Coal: 2.270"
Ogive length:
Brass: PMC (4-5 Reload, weight sorted)
Brass length: 1.75"
Distance to lands: .085"

Results at 100 yards:
WS5pYk0l.jpg

Results at 200 yards:
4pAXzytl.jpg

If available:
Velocity (average):
Average Deviations:
Standard Deviations:
Outside temperature: -10C
Wind and direction: Calm day
Barometric pressure and other relevant data:
 
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Caliber:223 Wylde
Rifle brand: Knights Armament (KAC)
Rifle Model: SR15
Custom built: Yes
Barrel length and twist: 1:8 18" Rainier Arms Ultra Match (Shilen)
Projectile brand, model and weight: Hornady 75gr Match
Powder brand and weight: IMR 8208 XBR / 22.3gr
LOAD CONSIDERED HOT OR CLOSE TO MAX: Nope.
Primers: Remington #7-1/2 BR
Coal: 2.270"
Ogive length:
Brass: Lapua
Brass length: 1.75"
Distance to lands: .085"

Results at 100 yards:
FQRAWzYl.jpg

If available:
Velocity (average):
Average Deviations:
Standard Deviations:
Outside temperature: 0C
Wind and direction: Calm day
Barometric pressure and other relevant data:
 
:) :)
 

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83A6436B-AEC2-4191-9B4D-026A816DCD88.jpgOk, I’ll try it again:)
Caliber:.223
Rifle: ATRS Modern Varminter
Custom: yes
Barrel: 18.5 Proof Research CFW 1-8 twist
Bullet:Hornady 53g Vmax
Powder: Varget
Primer: CCI #400 SRP
Brass: Hornady
Trim length:1750
COL:2245

5 round groups at 100 yards.
Testing various loads
24g Varget:.949-.224=.725
25.1g Varget: .962-.224=.728
26 g Varget: 1.190 -.224 =.968



Here’s two 5 round groups with factory 55g Varmageddon.
0068BC4B-DFFC-4403-AAA4-C01BE8CD1795.jpg7AF1A14B-A7FD-4004-A718-EF011A52217D.jpg
 

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