Any suggestion on .223 loads

[DJC]

I know it's probably been posted before, but I've fired enough factory loads to have amble supply of brass to reload.  So any suggestions on deadly loads both at the range and on coyotes.  it's a handi with standard barrel 1:9 twist .223.  The best factory load I tried was a Federal with 50gr hp with a flat base these groups were under 3/4" at 100yrds thats with so-so optics and shooting of sand bags and it was about 15 degrees outside.

O got another question I'm gonna paint the synthetic stock and was thinking about painting the barrel but I don't want to chance anything on my artistic ability?  can I tape the barrel? will it hurt accuracy? will it hurt the finish? I taped Turkey gun barrels when I was a kid with no problems.
-DJC

[cheatermk3]

Welcome to the forum DJC

I've never had a handi in 223, but I've loaded for 7 bolt guns, and my experiance (which may or may not be relevant) is that a load that shoots a 50 grain bullet 2850-3100fps will work.  I've had best accuracy using 50 grain and under bullets, the exception being the Winchester 64gn bullet.  Remington's 50 grain PLHP is a great bullet for accuracy, and they're dirt cheap.  Also hold together better than the ones with the polycarbonate tips.

Best powders, AA-2230, H-322, BlC-2; IMR-4895.

I like to keep my brass separated by manufacturer.

[McLernon]

40 gr. Nosler BT over 27.5 gr. H335 works good in my Handi. Not quite as fast as WWB 45 GR. but fast.

Mc

[quickdtoo]

Welcome aboard, DJC! Use  NEF 223 loads in the google search box above, you'll get quite a few previous threads.

Tim

[bigjeepman]

After much load testing, my .223 bb Handi performed best with 50gr Noslers  -  Varget  -  CCI 400 primers  -  2.261" OAL. I tried H-335, IMR 4198, Sierra's, and Vmax bullets as well. I could only get the consistent groupings I was wanting from the Noslers. You have to understand I set my standards very high and the end result is a load that will group well at all times of the year. This is one reason I use Varget. I had groups with other powder/bullet loads that grouped under .750" but the Nosler's were just better in my rifle.

Hope this helps ... good shooting ...

[1badshee]

The guy I bought my 223 from loaded 40gr nosler bt'sover 26.5 gr of 748, He said that shoot very well.

[quickdtoo]

The guy I bought my 223 from loaded 40gr nosler bt'sover 26.5 gr of 748, He said that shoot very well.

That may work in his rifle, but that's .5gr under max in the Nosler book, wouldn't be a good place to start.

Tim

[flitz]

bigjeepman what charge are you putting under those noslers?

[1badshee]

The guy I bought my 223 from loaded 40gr nosler bt'sover 26.5 gr of 748, He said that shoot very well.

That may work in his rifle, but that's .5gr under max in the Nosler book, wouldn't be a good place to start.

Tim

Dont know anything about reloading, just now starting to look into doing it.

[bigjeepman]

flitz ...

I purposely leave out charge amounts for obvious safety reasons. I will say this however ... when I load a Nosler bullet, I use Nosler's Reloading Guide everytime for minimums and max load guidelines. I usually start at a middle of the road charge and in this situation the manual gives 24.0gr as minimum and 26.0gr as a max load. I started out with 25.0 gr and worked my way up in 0.2gr increments until I struck paydirt shooting 5 shot groups.

[flitz]

thanks