Author Topic: reloading for Rem .223 (Read 921 times)

Norseman112 · « **on:** May 05, 2005, 01:28:52 PM »

Hi everyone
I am going to start reloading for my Handi .223 Ultra . Dose anyone have a favorite pet load? Also I assume the small rifle primer is what I should use? I bought some winchester small rifle primers.

Thanks

quickdtoo · « **Reply #1 on:** May 05, 2005, 01:50:11 PM »

If you use the search function for 223 loads, you'll get several previous threads on the subject....select the NEF/H&R Forum from the drop down and hit the Search for all terms button.

Nuttinbutchunks · « **Reply #2 on:** May 05, 2005, 02:08:29 PM »

I just came back from shooting my Ultra .223. apparently it doesn't like 40 grainers with BLC-2 as much as it does 52 Grainers with the same powder. I suggest using Varget powder with 50 grain Hornady Amax or something along those lines.

The thing is is that each rifle is unique. But you can't go too wrong with Varget, H335, and Benchmark powders.

dannyk · « **Reply #3 on:** May 05, 2005, 03:03:33 PM »

my ultra liked the 40gr hornady ballistic tip with H322 powder the best, liked the lighter bullets best and tried 4 differn't powders with them up to 55gr.

bigjeepman · « **Reply #4 on:** May 05, 2005, 03:16:45 PM »

Since buying my first .223 (a Savage) in January, I have since purchased 2 Handi's in .223. I have spent many hours reloading and testing at the range. I have found the 1:9 twist Savage prefers 55 gr Nosler BT and the 1:12 twist Handi (have not yet shot my 2nd Handi) prefers 50 gr Nosler BT bullets. We all know every barrel is different so you will have to find what yours will like best. I like Rem 7.5 BR primers with the CCI 400 primers a pretty close second. The Handi has performed best with upper-medium loads of Varget in the 3220 fps to 3250 fps range.

Hope this somehow helps you to get started. I have found there are several loads that each rifle likes as the .223 caliber seems to be pretty forgiving in it's preferences.

Norseman112 · « **Reply #5 on:** May 05, 2005, 04:43:37 PM »

Thank you Quicktoo,Bigjeepman,Nuttin and DannyK for all the good information.
I did pick up some A-max 40 and 50 grian bullets. I will get some powder and primers in the morning. I get my new mueller scope tomorrow from the optic zone :-)

Nuttinbutchunks · « **Reply #6 on:** May 05, 2005, 06:02:48 PM »

Wish ya good shooting. Don't forget to clean it real good before you shoot it.

Buckeyeppc · « **Reply #7 on:** May 06, 2005, 10:33:59 AM »

My .223 bull barrel likes the following:

Berger 50 gr. MEF
Nosler 50 gr. Ballistic Tip
Sierra 50 gr. Blitzking
Winchester 45 gr. Varmint White Box

I use 26 gr. of AA2230 for the Berger and Nosler. 24.9 gr of AA2230 for the Sierra. Best deal I've found in bullets is the Sierra 50 gr. Blitkings at MidwayUSA.com. Search for bulk bullets and if you are a dealer, I'm a C&R FFL-03 dealer, you can get them for just under $7 a box of 100. Once I found out I can get a real accurate load, I ordered 50 boxes.

bigjeepman · « **Reply #8 on:** May 06, 2005, 05:24:41 PM »

Norseman112 ...

I just bought, a not yet used, Mueller Eradicator 8.5-25x50 scope from a friend yesterday and switched scopes around on my two .223 Handi's. I put the Mueller on my first bull barrel Handi and my Swift 4-12x40 on my recently purchased like new "bumble bee" Handi. I took them to the range this afternoon to start the sight-in process with Winchester white box ammo. Tonight, I am reloading some test loads for the "bumble bee" with the regular barrel and will test them out tomorrow.

I decided to try a Mueller scope as several here on this forum seem to be very pleased with their performance. We will give it a full blown workout tomorrow. What Mueller model did you order for your Handi Ultra?

Norseman112 · « **Reply #9 on:** May 08, 2005, 03:15:01 AM »

Bigjeep,

I bought a Mueller Tactical 4-16 illuminated mil dot,matte. Quick steered me on to the burris sig rings and I put my scope on last night. For dawn and dusk i can turn on illumination and adjust the brightness. I really like the looks of the scope. I am gonna give a range report later today hopfully.

tcman · « **Reply #10 on:** May 08, 2005, 04:51:07 AM »

What height rings are you using to clear the large rear bell on the Mueller with the cocking hammer?

quickdtoo · « **Reply #11 on:** May 08, 2005, 05:56:52 AM »

Medium sig zees(.270" tall) work fine if you can position the scope so the hammer is just behind or ahead of the power ring. You'll need to use the hammer extension, though. These are all 50mm scopes, top and bottom are Muellers, middle is a WTC18.

Norseman112 · « **Reply #12 on:** May 08, 2005, 04:16:58 PM »

I did use the high burris sig rings and works ok for me. Mueller also sent me the sunshade free and free shipping.

bigjeepman · « **Reply #13 on:** May 09, 2005, 12:38:10 PM »

I bought and used the high Burris Sig zee rings too because of where I wanted the scope to sit. They work very well and I am still checking out the Mueller as I didn't get too many rounds fired through the Handi's this weekend.

This week and Saturday, I will concentrate on the 2 Handi's as we are going coyote hunting again Sunday morning.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #14 on:** May 09, 2005, 12:47:21 PM »

Good luck on the yote hunt, will look forward to your report!!! I mount em with the mediums when ever I can, I have the x-high rings on my .223 Ultra Varmint with a japan built 30mm 5-20x40 Tasco EuroClass and it's higher than I like or needs to be, but it's a fantastic scope, better than the Bushnell Elite 4200 that I have, so I put up with it, only paid $200 for it! Burris doesn't make the 30mm sig zees in medium or high.... :cry: The scope looked new, so I definitely wasn't going to mount it in regular rings and degrade it's value!