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Author Topic: Hand loads for .223 Handi Rifle  (Read 2492 times)

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Offline jbhtn

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Hand loads for .223 Handi Rifle
« on: January 28, 2007, 07:25:30 AM »
I just purchased a NEF Handi Rifle last week. I found it used in a local gun shop here in middle TN. After reading a weeks worth of info. on the internet, I was worried about how accurate the gun would be. I spent some time making 3 different loads and shot all 3 yesterday. The worst load shot about 1.25 in. at 100 and the best shot .75 at 100. I will take that out of a $175 rifle any day. I can probably spend a little more time playing with the charge and tighten up even more. All three loads are with 50gr Hornady's in the 3000- 3100 fps range. I am super excited about the rifle.
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Offline dw06

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Re: Hand loads for .223 Handi Rifle
« Reply #1 on: January 28, 2007, 08:06:00 AM »
Sounds like you got a shooter.I've been shooting the 50gr v-max in mine,got them to do .49 so I'm happy!I played with seating depth and found best at 3.10 Going to try the hornady 50 spsx just to see how they do.
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Offline bigjeepman

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Re: Hand loads for .223 Handi Rifle
« Reply #2 on: January 28, 2007, 08:44:15 AM »
Does your .223 have the bull barrel? What kind of scope are you using? The Vmax and the Nosler BT shoot well in my Handi with the Nosler being the best. I use Varget powder and CCI 400 primers.
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Offline jbhtn

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Re: Hand loads for .223 Handi Rifle
« Reply #3 on: January 28, 2007, 12:25:55 PM »
My Handi has a standard taper barrel and I have a 2.5x10 Simmons scope. I think I am going to play around with some Benchmark powder in my next loads.
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Offline georgeld

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Re: Hand loads for .223 Handi Rifle
« Reply #4 on: January 28, 2007, 10:09:29 PM »
I don't have a NEF in this cal.

But, I've loaded and played with .223's a lot in a bolt gun for years.

Best suggestion I can give you is to decide on the load you want to use.

Then swap bullets all you can til you find the one that's most accurate.
In my Sako rebarrel job a few yrs back it worked out to be 40gr v max with ten shots
into .223" @ 100yds.  Almost unheard of with my shooting. But, did it time after time with
several witnesses.  Then I took it hunting and haven't shot paper since.  A p/dog out to 400yds
on a fairly calm day is in mortal danger of his life.

My load depends on access to powder. Once I run out of AA2200 (23gr), intend to go back to 25gr/ 4895 and stick with it. 
Hope this helps,

George
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Offline stimpylu32

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Re: Hand loads for .223 Handi Rifle
« Reply #5 on: January 29, 2007, 03:08:05 AM »
My go to load is 25.5 gr. of IMR 4895 under a 55 gr. Hornady V-Max , always keep 200 or so on hand in case the groundhogs attack .  ;D

stimpy
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Offline houser52

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Re: Hand loads for .223 Handi Rifle
« Reply #6 on: January 29, 2007, 03:17:36 AM »
For my H&R .223 I get the best accuracy with 50 gr. V Max and 24.7 grs of H335. Chrono'd at 3100 fps.
1/2" to 3/4" at 100yds.
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Offline sluggo

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Re: Hand loads for .223 Handi Rifle
« Reply #7 on: January 29, 2007, 01:18:36 PM »
....also, if you reload hot or wildcat, don't forget to check your casings and trim them if need be. .223 is infamous for stretching if you put some extra kick behind them.
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Offline MSP Ret

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Re: Hand loads for .223 Handi Rifle
« Reply #8 on: January 29, 2007, 05:34:47 PM »
Hey guys, I am looking for a light load for a .223 that can be safely shot off a shotgun reciever, something close to a .22 Hornet loading with 45-55 grain bullets, anything you could suggest? It is a Handi with a 1:12 barrel...Thanks....<><.... :)
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Offline bigshooz

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Re: Hand loads for .223 Handi Rifle
« Reply #9 on: January 30, 2007, 02:40:49 AM »
Hey jb ,I got my favorite load from lyman 47th. It is for the 52 gr sierra bthp starting load is 24 gr H335,max is 27gr. I use the 27gr with rem br primers,and the bullet seated to 2.400",cases are federal trimmed to 1.750"very accurate ,very fast.For a kill zone of 6"point blank range is 274 yds zeroed at 235 yds.That means the bullet only rises and drops 6" over 275 yds, no guessing.Zeroed at 200 yds it drops 8.5" at 300 yds.    Mike ;D
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Offline georgeld

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Re: Hand loads for .223 Handi Rifle
« Reply #10 on: January 30, 2007, 12:36:16 PM »
Andy:

Play with shotgun powders:  Red Dot, Grn Dot, Blu Dot, Clays etc. Lot's of em.

Around 3-10gr of any of them should work for what you're looking for.

I've used 4gr R/D in '06 w/115gr cast.  Very good for under 200 feet.
Great to teach kids and women how to shoot the big guns without hurting them.

George
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Offline MSP Ret

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Re: Hand loads for .223 Handi Rifle
« Reply #11 on: January 30, 2007, 12:40:37 PM »
Thanks George, what is R/D powder?....<><.... ???
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Offline sbhooper

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Re: Hand loads for .223 Handi Rifle
« Reply #12 on: January 31, 2007, 02:55:53 PM »
27.5 grains of Varget behind a 50 grain Hornady Spire point.  Excellent accuracy at 3206 fps from my gun.  What kind of velocity are you guys getting on the 50 grainers pushed by 4895?
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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: Hand loads for .223 Handi Rifle
« Reply #13 on: January 31, 2007, 03:14:26 PM »
Quote from: MSP Ret on January 30, 2007, 12:40:37 PM
Thanks George, what is R/D powder?....<><.... ???

I suspect that's the Red dot.

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Offline Silent Bob

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Re: Hand loads for .223 Handi Rifle
« Reply #14 on: January 31, 2007, 05:33:55 PM »
The best load I've found for my handi is the 53gr Sierra Matchking's HP Match 1400 with 24.3gr H322.  I just purchased some 53gr Barnes TSX FB.  Has anyone tried these yet?  Also, what is everyone setting their COL at? 
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Offline sbhooper

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Re: Hand loads for .223 Handi Rifle
« Reply #15 on: February 01, 2007, 10:04:32 AM »
Silent Bob, Mine shot the 53 Sierra hollowpoints real well also, cuz they aren't boat tail, but the Hornady Spire Points shot as good and are way cheaper.   On the loads that I tried, I had less velocity with 322 than with the Varget.  My rifle has been extremely fickle to deal with and I came close to throwing it is my fish pond several times, but on the high side I have had lots of shooting practice.  It is shooting nearly one hole right now and I hate to touch it! :o
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Offline MSP Ret

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Re: Hand loads for .223 Handi Rifle
« Reply #16 on: February 01, 2007, 10:54:46 AM »
Thanks Quick....<><.... :)
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Offline Silent Bob

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Re: Hand loads for .223 Handi Rifle
« Reply #17 on: February 01, 2007, 03:53:45 PM »
Thanks for the tip on the Hornady Spire Points sbhooper.  My question would be, how many grains of Varget are you loading? As to my previous COL question, I think it's important to clarify what I'm asking. The best COL is supposed to be when the bullet is seated .03 to .07 off the lands....so it is written.  This means I'd have to seat my bullet at 2.41 in my Handi.  Seems a little long to me.   I know, a little off the topic but it does have to do with hand loads for a .223 handi.
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Offline Silent Bob

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Re: Hand loads for .223 Handi Rifle
« Reply #18 on: February 01, 2007, 04:47:01 PM »
I just realized I was using COL for OAL.  You still got the idea....hopefully.
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Offline sbhooper

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Re: Hand loads for .223 Handi Rifle
« Reply #19 on: February 02, 2007, 06:09:15 AM »
Silent, it is 27.5 grains of Varget. This is a great load because the velocity is very good, there are absoulutely no pressure issues, and the cases virtually do not stretch-at least for several loadings.  I tried 322, BLC-2 (which was extremely disappointing as far as velocity), and 4198.  Varget seems to be the best for me and it is also great in my .308 and .243.  The .308 is a Rem 600 with an 18.5 inch barrel and it is giving me 2650 fps with 165 grain Hornadys and 2768 with 150s which is not bad from a short barrel It will shoot under 1" groups.  I get good velocity in my .243 also as it is a BLR and has a fairly short barrel too.  I currently have it loaded with 65 grain Hornady v-max and the last group that I shot was nearly one hole (I usually am not that good, but I got lucky that day).
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Offline hawgmaster

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Re: Hand loads for .223 Handi Rifle
« Reply #20 on: February 02, 2007, 09:18:20 AM »
I have used this load in 3 different .223 handi's and it shoots great in all 3.
Brass - Remington
Primer - CCI 450 small rifle magnum
bullet - 50 grain V-Max
powder - 26.5 grains of BenchMark

Todd
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