Now onto handloads.....

Ryan500

Ryan500

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So you may have seen my posts, picked up a Rem 700 SPS Tact in 223, and now a Bushnell 4200 6-24x50 Tactical to see through.... now the next step, handloads.


I think the barrel is 1:9 twist so I picked up some Win Brass, BR CCI Primers, I have varget and H335, and Sierra 52g BTHP tips.

What do you all think is my best bet to start with? Varget?

With a case this small what is a good weight increment to move up when finding the sweet spot? I usually go .5gr to find roughly where to go, then .1 or .2gr to tune it in.

Any suggestions for how far from the lands I should start on this rifle?

Is that a good weight of bullet for 1:9?

Anyone else running this setup for those bullets?

I handload now and am ok at it, so some advice is always welcome.

On a side note, in good conditions, on a good rest, what kind of results should I be looking to achieve? 100 yards to start? 300 yards once I'm dialed in...

Thanks.
 
You can get those 52's going REAL fast with either powder. I used H335 with some 52 Vmax's but they really opened up for me at 300yd. I went with a heavier bullet, >60gr. I used 70gr VLDs and lots of guys are bragging up the 69 SMK's. Your 1/9 should have no problems with these bullets, and your 300yd target should be tighter than using 52's.

If you do go with a heavier bullet, Varget will work very well.
 
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I just wanted to add, .5 gr increments is very large. I just learned this myself, on paper. I'd suggest smaller.

Results? A factory barrel with the right load might get .75, anything more is free. It will probably open up at 300, but you won't know until you do. :D

Again about the 52's; the best group I ever shot out of my factory barrel was with 52gr Vmax's at 200yd. It was ~ 1 1/4 inch. At 300, forget it. I couldn't get them to fly. Ymmv
 
69 gr Sierra Match Kings or 60 gr flat based bullets such as V-Max and Sierra Varminter HP with Varget. I had my best groups around the upper limit listed in my Sierra manual.

I go in 0.3 gr increments when trying a new bullet/powder in .223. 0.2 gr is probably better but so far so good.
 
I think the components your starting with are fine. You have to try what works best for your rifle at the range you are shooting. There are no short cuts. I have had good luck with 69 SMKs and varget or IMR XBR 8208. 8208 is my favourite powder for 223 ( I think). Another good bullet out to about 300 if not much wind is the 55 grain ballistic tip.
BLC2 is another good powder to try also.

So many components, so little time to try them all. :)
 
I have a 1 in 9 twist barrel and am using H335 with Hornady 68 gr HPBT with excellent results. So far 23.5 gr seems to be working, cci BR primers and Laupa brass. Good luck. Cheers Roscoe
 
Just home from doing some 69 SMK loads for the .223 Savage. I shot yesterday @ 300 yds and eliminated a few handloads.

Went back today and tried the second round hopefulls @ 200 yds due to wind and terrible mirage yesterday and today.

Here is today's tagets @ 200 yds using Varget and 69 Sierra Match King.
.223 Savage 10 FCP-K minus the brake. One more day to finalize the 69 gr winner and take it to 400+ yds.

Ryan, I know it probably doesn't matter(different guns and manufacturers) but these were seated to jump .008-.010" and you can see my weights, CCI BR primers. It may give you a reference point.

5ddb954e.jpg


80beb06d.jpg
 
I have a savage with a 1-9 inch twist and it loves 60gr nosler ballistic tips infront of 25.5 gr of rl 15. No problem consistently hitting an 8" gong at 500 m. I haven't tried it any farther than that
 
Go on Jerry's site (mystic precision) He has a "Building up a load" article that is really good.
click on the banner
-Mystic precision
-tech
-reloading
-Load tuning to maximize long range accuracy

Best advise anyone can give you right there!
 
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