Loading for the 223

H4831

H4831

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I have a young friend who is starting out reloading, for a 700 Remington Varmitter in 223.
He asked me for assistance, but I am a poor choice, because I have never reloaded for the223.
He has tried 21 grains of 4198, I don't know what variety, but either would seem like a mild and acceptable load, for 36 grain Barnes Varmitter bullets.
The group was completely hopeless. So what do you guys think?
My impression would be that the group, in the order of 8 inches at 100 metres, is beyond what a change of powder could correct.
Does the 700 have too sharp a twist for the light bullets?
I think he also has 55 grain bullets. What is a usually accurate powder load for them?
 
I'd suggest 55 grain bullets, and H322. If that combo doesn't produce something vaguely like acceptable accuracy, off to the EE with it. ;)

Side note -- how does it fare with factory ammo?
 
The twist on that 700 is likely 1:12, rem website should have the info. My 9 twist CZ doesn't like anything lighter than 50gr and 70gr shoot even better. Not familiar with the powder he's using but it seems really light. My experience with 223 and 204 is it won't shoot unless loads are max or close to it. I use the 36gr BVG's in my Hornet and they work well. If it's a 12 twist it should shoot lighter bullets well at reasonable velocities, ie 3500fps. I use varget for heavier bullets and will be trying RL10x soon as I get some for lighter bullets.
 
If your buddy has the Model 700 SPS Varminter it has a 1 in 12" twist so 55 Grains is probably as heavy as you want to go.

You can get load data for Barnes at barnesbullets dot com/information/load-data/, I'd suggest using one of the two powders recommended there. TAC is listed as the most accurate with a range of 27.5 - 29.5, so load five each of 27.5, 28.0, 28.5, 29.0 and 29.5 and head to the range. One of these weights will print much better than the other, then you can have another go testing loads that bracket the best performing load.

Two additional suggestions, 1) Just use the book values for COL until you get a consistent load, play with the seating depth later (Minimize the number of changing variables), and 2) If he's just starting out loading/shooting he'll probably have more success and build confidence faster if he starts with a bullet/powder combo that there is more data readily available for such as 55 grain.

Of course finding the appropriate projectile, powder and primers at the moment sucks ;-)

Good Luck
 
It would be good if he could measure the twist rate and then have some idea of what direction to go in bullet weight. 36 gr bullet is pretty light and typically more associated with slow twists. I have one rifle with a fairly slow twist, 1:12 and it really likes the cheap Winchester 45 grain varminters. I have another with a fairly fast twist, 1:8 and it seems to prefer 69 grains and up. Shoots downright lousy with the aforementioned 45 grainers.
 
I have the same gun. I'm in the process of tracking down all the parts I need to start reloading. From the reading I've done I was going to try a 55gr with Varget.
 
"...tracking down all the parts..." Buy a copy of The ABC's of Reloading first. Then look into an RCBS Beginner's Kit. Gives you everything you need less dies and shell holder. And components, of course. Buy them locally. Costs too much to ship components.
You get the RCBS guarantee too. Have any problems and they'll fix it with a phone call, even if you caused it or buy used kit. Used isn't something to be scared of. Takes a lot of abuse to damage modern loading kit.
 
I ment to add that PMC 55gr factory shoot well if he wants to check the gun to see if it's his loads or the gun.

I bought a copy of the Lyman manual and read it front to back. I'm leaning towards the Hornady LnL but I can't find anything but Lee dies.
 
Thanks Guys, for the info. he told me factory loads he had shot good. So, I will help him out on loading some heavier bullets to try.
The load he tried is in the Hodgdon's web site, so it must be somewhat standard.
And sunray, by stating I had never loaded for the 223, meant I did not have any personal information on tailored loads to give him. Obviously, I knew it is just another calibre, but each have a mind of their own.
 
If he's looking for a fart load to practice, I use a 55gr with 6.5gr of Unique...Dime size groups at 50yds with my Tikka.
 
tacticalII said:
I ment to add that PMC 55gr factory shoot well if he wants to check the gun to see if it's his loads or the gun.

I bought a copy of the Lyman manual and read it front to back. I'm leaning towards the Hornady LnL but I can't find anything but Lee dies.
Click to expand...

99% of dies have the same threads anyway and will work in all standard presses, lyman, lee, RCBS, hornady etc..

21grn of any powder is light, especially for 36grn bullet. Of the .223's I have read about and including mine, like the OAL to be set for a .010" jump to the lands.
 
Gatehouse said:
Benchmark is the powder I go to first in the .223, but I am using 50 and 53gr bullets.
Click to expand...

+1 on that. Benchmark is awesome in my 223. 25.5gr with a 50gr Nosler BT.

DSC_0822.jpg


Benchmark works fabulous in my 22-250 too.

DSC_0821.jpg
 
the twist that the remington has likes 50-55 grain bullets there are many choices to try

50, 52, 53, 55 I am using 50 grain v-max in mine for some load testing all the way out to 600 yards with decent results and a stock Remington VLS
 
I basically have them touching the rifleing and then backed off 3 thousanths... your gun will be different then mine so using my oal could be dangerous or not produce results... Best bet is to try different lenghts yourself. I got pretty decent results with 50 grains loaded to factory oal in the 223 loaded to the max about 3400fps out of a 26" barrel.
 
I've only used Benchmark in my .223s and have never had a reason to try anything else.
 
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