Looking for 223 loads

[toxic111]

Hey all... I am having a struggle getting my Savage Law Enforcement series 223 to shoot anything decent. Tried 45g Win factory loads (2" groups)

I loaded up some 40g & 50g Vmax (groups from 1.55" to over 3"!!)

My brother picked up some 65g Sierra game kings for me to try (man trying to get any decent 224 bullet around here is difficult) However I don't have a sierra manual handy. If anyone has a newer manul I would love to see min/max loads for the bullet with either Varget or IMR 4198 (what I have on hand, powder is also a PIA to get here)

Thanks in advance!

 

[sunray]

Light bullets(your 40, 45 and 50's) prefer a slower twist. You really don't need a Sierra manual. Not that it's bad. The 63 grain bullet data on Hodgdon's site(or any 63 grain data) will do. Two grains won't matter. The 63 grain bullet they tested just happens to be a Sierra SP. Your bullets are SP's.
Accurate has loads list specifically for 1 in 7 or 1 in 9 twists using 69 to 80 grain bullets too.

 

[fratri]

I got one of the those steven's in a 223 and with 55 GR. SPR SP horandy bullets and 26 gr of BL-C(2) I can get then touching off the bench on most days...So that's less than a 1" grouping with 5 shots...

This is where I got my start, it may help you as well...

http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp

 

[Wookie316]

Ahh, a fellow Border City CGN'er. I have had great luck with these loads:

40gr Blitz King 28gr Benchmark 205F 3650 FPS
50gr Nosler BT 25.5gr Benchmark 205F 3420 FPS
55gr Winchester factory FMJ 3090 FPS

I'm happy!

What is the twist on your rifle? Mine is a Douglas 23.5" Heavy Barrel with 1-12 twist.

 

[Winnipeg Toymaker]

69 gr. Sierra Match Kings like 25 grains of varget . I shoot a 12FVSS..1 in 9 twist and first 3 shots ( got from a friend )and only had 3 carts..... shoulder hold and a bipod ..100 yards...shot a 3-hole pattern of .182 inches. You should get compareable results with the lighter bullets.

I previously was shooting 55 gr. FMJs at the range. They were always a "pepper pattern" not too pleasing at all. I am going to try 69s and 75s this weekend.

 

[Rod B]

I have a 12BVSS in .223 with a 1 in 9 twist.

23.5gr of BLC under a 75gr Hornady match hollow point works very well.

 

[pockets]

Check that your barrel is freefloated properly, and that the action screws are torqued equally to 25 inch lbs. In my Stevens 223, 60 vmax, and varget anywhere from 26 to 26.7gr. 5 shot just under 1/2 to 3/4 inch groups. Winchester brass, 205M primers. Full length sized, neck sized, .020" and .010" off the lands about the same. The best is neck sized, .010" off the lands, and 26.7gr. I settled on 26.4 because from pressure signs 26.7 was on the edge. Approx 3150 fps in 22" barrel according to my chrony.

 

[toxic111]

Thanks for all the info everyone...

Will try & give these a try this weekend, inbetween painting the basement & bear hunting, I might find 10 minutes... lol