loading 223 and varget

coombsshooter

coombsshooter

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so I am just getting ready to load my 223 rounds and was wondering what others have had the best luck with. The rifle is a stevens 200, using winchester brass, varget powder, cci 400 primers, and 55 gr nosler combined technology projectiles:runaway:. a good starting point from one who has already developed the round is always good. must be a few guys loading for stevens 223 lol
 
Have you checked the Nosler site? They should have some data for that bull it. You need to try all the data ,see what your rifle likes.
It may not like nosler bullits

23,24,25 g varget, try them all.
 
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I have used from 24-27grns of Varget under 55grn fmj in my 16" AR 15 and they all work.

Varget isn't the best powder for lighter bullets, apparently, from what I've read.
 
Just scoop the case full to the top seat bullet and repeat haha. I see little difference personally in accuracy with Varget from small to large charge. I've formed the opinion that is not suitable for the cartridge and have since moved on. My opening sentence is sort of sarcasm but you can't physically fit enough to Varget in the case to cause a problem.
 
I have loaded 52g, 53g, 55g and 68g bullets with varget with mixed results in my Savage 10 FCP-K. I am getting great results with the Hornady match 52G HPBT and 68g HPBT but I find the biggest affect on accuracy is not so much the powder charge weight but the bullet seating depth. Measure what your max OAL is for your chosen bullet and follow the manufacturer's recommendations wrt charge weight and do a OCW test with 5 rounds at each charge weight. Repeat the test with 3 or 4 oal's/bullet seating depths. I have managed so far to get 1/2 MOA or less out of my 68G hpbt's and my 52g hpbt's. Interestingly enough they both seem to group the best at just below min charge weight but every gun is different. I have some Sierra Match Kings and some Barnes Match bullets to try aswell. Varget is readily available in my area so I am happy to try and stick with it but I will try 2 or 3 of the other common .223 powders.
 
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0neshot said:
Just scoop the case full to the top seat bullet and repeat haha. I see little difference personally in accuracy with Varget from small to large charge. I've formed the opinion that is not suitable for the cartridge and have since moved on. My opening sentence is sort of sarcasm but you can't physically fit enough to Varget in the case to cause a problem.
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Lmao I actually worked a load up for 36g varmint grenades and ran out of case room with varget. I could have done exactly what you said and had no problems but I find with all my 75g and heavier bullets it works great.
 
0neshot said:
Just scoop the case full to the top seat bullet and repeat haha. I see little difference personally in accuracy with Varget from small to large charge. I've formed the opinion that is not suitable for the cartridge and have since moved on. My opening sentence is sort of sarcasm but you can't physically fit enough to Varget in the case to cause a problem.
Click to expand...

Pretty much this with varget. It's too slow and benchmark is a way better powder for most 223 applications
 
Up to 60gr bullets just fill the case. You can't really get enough varget in the case to cause pressures. I used to load all my 223 with varget and 36gr up to 60gr every load was 27gr of varget.
 
well, we went to the range yesterday and i was pleased. the nosler site recommends less than other projectile brands in the same weight and it worked for me! I had the best luck anywhere from 23-24 grains of varget. the 25 grain which is noslers max rec. load did not do nearly as good. I'm totally new but trying to learn the ways of a beautiful shot, which I'm sure we can all agree on. the best loads were 1" all touching, and the heavier loads just went spray and pray it felt like. no conformity at all. i like my new gun, it hasn't fired a factory round by me and I'm really liking the development of a bullet. a new adventure in every little chunk of lead thrown
 
I'm in the situation as you new to reloading and same rifle, so far I've had excellent results with benchmark powder.
Federal cases,CCI 400 primers and 24.5g of powder pushing a Hornady 53g Vmax. Best group so far was 3/4in at 100m, with 55g hornady fmj's I'll get 1in groups at 100m.
 
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