New Stevens 200 223 - load advice

[deerandduck]

Just got a new stevens 200 in 223 and took it to the range recently.  I was trying my AR loads, which is 50 Nos BT over 25.0 Benchmark in LC cases with WSR primers.  Its OAL is max for the mags in the AR.  I got about a 2 inch group with this.

I would love to hear what loads for 50-55 gr bullets you guys use in your stevens 223.

Yes, I know that all guns are different and you must follow the manuals and to always work up.  All this I know and follow diligently.  Still, what loads are giving yall the best accuracy.  Main purpose is informal targets and occasional small critter.

I've already reworked the trigger down to about 2 1/2 lbs, and may do the stock stiffiner and bedding.  Its a project gun.

thanks in advance,

Deerandduck

[dozernomore]

55gr hornady V-max
win brass
wsrp
h335 23.5 gr
mv 2884 fps
sub moa

[LaOtto222]

I have had good luck with 25.4 grains of VV N133 with 50 grain bullets in my Stevens 223's. I also use 27.0 grains of TAC with 40 grain bullets and is not too bad of a load. These are fairly hot, so work up like you said you would. I have a definite preference for Remington 7 1/2 primers in all my 223's. There are several different powders that work well in the 223, you mentioned BenchMark and is a good one. Some guys prefer IMR 4895 and some still like Varget. Good Luck and Good Shooting

[jlgwiz]

 Just for reference I have had the best luck so far with 25gr H335 under 50gr v-max in my Stevens 223.  Funny but that was also the best load in my H&R 223 Ultra-V. Both were using Remington brass and CCI  small rifle primers.

[chutesnreloads]

It's a Savage  but made in same factory.Had very good results with h335.h4895 748 and varget all with different bullets 50-55 grain.Also had some good loads with blc2 but one of the others always slightly bettered it.

[351 power]

50g hornady sp bullets with h322 powder or imr 4895 powder
64g win pp bullets with reloder 15 powder

[Slowpoke Slim]

Best bullet for me has been the 50 gr vmax, best powder has been 25.5 grs of old (NOT commercial) mil surp BL-C2 .383 center to center and .606 outside to outside for 5 shot group at 100 yds. My second best powder has been 28.5 grs of H-380, still .75 outside to outside for 5 shots. Primer has been Rem 7 1/2 on both loads.

My Stevens performed best in all cases, with loads that were NOT max. I think keeping the velocity down off of peak max has helped, at least in my barrel, as my barrel is a bit on the rough side.

[deerandduck]

Thanks everyone for your inputs.  Now time to go do some reloading and quality trigger time.

Deerandduck

[Bob Tobergte]

  I have a savage model 11FL that I put a Stevens .223 barrel on & it REALLY likes 50 gr. Blitzkings with 26 grs. varget.

[351 power]

recently tried 55g hornady v-max with 22.1g of h322 powder. best accuracy so far