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Offline PawPaw

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.223 Remington questions
« on: February 18, 2010, 03:02:34 AM »
I was cruising past the gun counter yesterday when a Handi caught my eye.  Actually, it caught my eye several months ago and I've been watching it.  It's a .223 Rem, SB2 Ultra Hunter with a Gardner roll stamp.  Laminated stocks.  NIB.  I decided to "pull the pin" and put it on layaway.

I've shot a lot of .223 during my stints with Uncle Sam and as a police officer, but this will be the first truly sporting rifle I've owned in this caliber. All my .223 shooting thus far has been in the AR platform and I don't even own dies for the caliber.  I've used factory and mil-surp ammo so far, because that's been good enough for government work and my experience with this caliber has been government work. I've been through the FAQs and own several other Handis, so I'm fairly familiar with the platform.

My question becomes:  Based on the accumulated knowledge of the board, are there any quirks in this particular caliber that I should be made aware? 

SO guys, what say ye?  What powders work best in this caliber?  According to the FAQs the tube has a 1:9 twist, so what weight bullet works best in your experience?

Thanks in advance for any replies.
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Offline Daman

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Re: .223 Remington questions
« Reply #1 on: February 18, 2010, 03:23:26 AM »
A lot of guys here shoot the white box walmart specials 45 grain.

Me personally, I shoot Remington 55 psp or Hornady 55 V-Max if I buy shells. Of late (the last 5 or so years) I shoot 55 grain psp or ballistic silvertips over 24.4 grains of IMR 3031 into 1/2" groups!

Daman
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Offline bobg

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Re: .223 Remington questions
« Reply #2 on: February 18, 2010, 04:25:37 AM »
  Liked your reply on IMR 3031. I was just going to suggest the same thing.
           bobg
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Offline JW307

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Re: .223 Remington questions
« Reply #3 on: February 18, 2010, 04:32:43 AM »
Mine like heavy bullets.  The best factory ammo I've tried was the re-manufactured Ultramax 68 grain HP, which shot right at moa.  All the 55 grain factory loads I tried were about 1.5 moa.  My hand loads are 69 grain Sierra MK over a near max charge of RL 15 or Varget, they do about 1/2 moa on a good day.
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Offline wreckhog

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Re: .223 Remington questions
« Reply #4 on: February 18, 2010, 04:34:42 AM »
Been shooting Russian steel case FMJs. About 1MOA with a 10x scope and without the forearm. Gotta spend some time on that. For 20 cents a shot, I won't bother reloading plinking loads. Wanna get some Trophy Bear Claws to load for deer.
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Offline 041gun

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Re: .223 Remington questions
« Reply #5 on: February 18, 2010, 04:41:35 AM »
Another good powder for the 223 is winchester 748 I load my 55 nosler balistic tips over 25 grains shoot just under MOA
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Offline EVOC ONE

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Re: .223 Remington questions
« Reply #6 on: February 18, 2010, 05:28:54 AM »
In addition to the Winchester White Box 45 gr. ammo and Federal Flat Base 50 gr. HP's, I have had decent luck using IMR 4895 with 50-55 grain bullets.  However, I've not found a load that shoots as good at the two factory rounds mentioned.

 :)
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Offline Daman

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Re: .223 Remington questions
« Reply #7 on: February 18, 2010, 05:38:47 AM »
evoc one

try my suggestion if you have 3031 handy.
Daman
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Offline MSP Ret

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Re: .223 Remington questions
« Reply #8 on: February 18, 2010, 05:48:33 AM »
I thought I had some 3031 left and went to load up some 55 grain .223's  over the past weekend. As luck would have it I was out of 3031 and nothing else I had really lended itself to .223's. I did find a listing for 14.0 grains of 2400 behind a 55 grain jacketed bullet as a max load and recommending a 10% reduction to start. I reduced it to 13 grains and loaded up 20 rounds. I'll see what it does if I can get to the range. I want to buy more powder specifically for the .223, what do you reloading experts suggest for the most accurate, cleanest burning, and economical all around powder for the .223? I will be loading for both my Handi's and my AR's with 50 to 62 grain bullets for now...Thanks....<><....:)  
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Offline PHATINJUN

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Re: .223 Remington questions
« Reply #9 on: February 18, 2010, 06:30:04 AM »
I have been shooting the Ultramax a lot and it also works very well for the$ and factory ammo but my best reloads are with 3031 about any thing from 45gr on up .I never got past the 69gr Sierra's but others here have. If your looking for a heavy bullet that Sierra showed me a ton of promise but I have other calibers to fit that need .Kurt
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Offline Daman

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Re: .223 Remington questions
« Reply #10 on: February 18, 2010, 07:10:45 AM »
I am with you Kurt. I shot some 62 grainers, but I have a 243 A bolt so I didn't need to go higher. I also shot 45 grainers, but I have a Hornet now so those are history. Looks like 55 grainers are the ticket for me!

Daman
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Please take time to take a kid hunting, it will be a life long memory and blessing for both of you!

Offline Sourdough

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Re: .223 Remington questions
« Reply #11 on: February 18, 2010, 07:16:54 AM »
I'm not at home right now so I am working from memory and that is not good, but I'm thinking I use Nosler 55gr or 52gr not sure, Ballistic tips.  I use all Winchester componets, WSR Primers, Winchester Brass, either Winchester 748 or 760 powder.  Off the top of my head I'm not sure.  I am sure I got the recipe out of the Hodgen Manual, and it's the one for factory duplication loads.

When you look in the Hodgen manual you will find one load without a starting and max amount of powder, just one load listed, and I have found that load to be the most accurate in my H&R Ultra .223.  I do not hesitate to shoot at small stuff, Coyote, Foxes, and Beaver, out to 300 yards.

I honestly have not tried heavier bullets yet.  Got some 60, 70, and 80gr bullets to try, just have not got around to it yet.

If you are not into reloading, I find the Ultra Max, remanufactored ammo to be superb in my .223 as well.
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Offline cjclemens

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Re: .223 Remington questions
« Reply #12 on: February 18, 2010, 10:05:44 AM »
Im using 45 grain Sierra Varminters in mine right now.  My .223 Handi has a 1:12 twist rifling, so I never did bother trying any heavier bullets.  I've had good luck with IMR 4198 for the lighter bullets and IMR 4895 for the heavier ones.
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Offline PawPaw

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Re: .223 Remington questions
« Reply #13 on: February 18, 2010, 12:40:57 PM »
Thanks guys, for all the replies.  I'm probably going to use bullets in the 55-60 grain range.  I agree with Sourdough that if I need a heavier bullet, I'll use a larger caliber.  This is my first foray with the .223 as a sporting cartridge and I'll probably just use it to punch paper, vaporize the errant crow, punch a few armadillos, and poke any coyote that gets curious.

I didn't realize that 3031 was a good powder for this caliber.  I happen to have some of that on the shelf,  along with several pounds of IMR 4895. 
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Offline EVOC ONE

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Re: .223 Remington questions
« Reply #14 on: February 18, 2010, 01:30:18 PM »
Quote from: Daman on February 18, 2010, 05:38:47 AM
evoc one

try my suggestion if you have 3031 handy.
Daman

I happen to have some 3031 on hand.  I'll give it a try.  Thanks a bunch.    ;)

Quote from: PawPaw on February 18, 2010, 12:40:57 PM
I didn't realize that 3031 was a good powder for this caliber.  I happen to have some of that on the shelf,  along with several pounds of IMR 4895. 

Same here.  I had been using 3031 in the .30-30 Handi with good results and have been using IMR 4895 for years in the .30-06.  Never thought to give 4895 a try in the .223 until I read of Stimpy's results. 

 :)
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Offline dw06

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Re: .223 Remington questions
« Reply #15 on: February 18, 2010, 02:12:19 PM »
Mine shoots great with IMR 3031,my favorite load is 24.5 grs with 50 hornady. There are so many good powders for the 223 makes it hard to choose, I just happen to keep a good supply of 3031 as I use it in 30-30 and 22-250 also.
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Offline chutesnreloads

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Re: .223 Remington questions
« Reply #16 on: February 18, 2010, 03:13:45 PM »
+1 on 4895.Either IMR or Hodgdon.It may not be THE best .223 powder but it seldom doesn't give one of the better loads tried.Other favorites are H335,Varget,and 748.Can say same for 748 as the 4895's.If there's a recipe published for 'em...try 'em.
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Offline tucsonkid

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Re: .223 Remington questions
« Reply #17 on: February 19, 2010, 02:48:28 PM »
win 748 does a great job with sierra 60hp's with a charge of 24.9 gr's. Easy to meter and you can find it! Same load wit 55 gr fmjbt's also. The fmjbt's are great plinking or jackrabbit medicine!!!!! :) :)
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Offline jeepmann1948

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Re: .223 Remington questions
« Reply #18 on: February 19, 2010, 05:26:24 PM »
One of the best I have ever found for a 223 is 25.5 gr. Imr4895 with a sierra 50 gr blitz bullet. Very accurate in every 223 I have shot it in.A very mild load of 222 Rem velocity (around 3000 fps)
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Offline MNSHOOTER

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Re: .223 Remington questions
« Reply #19 on: February 20, 2010, 06:24:54 PM »
If you have not tried ACURATE ARMS 2230 in the .223 REM you realy need to !! The powder was built around the millitary round. It is flat out scary accurate!! Mark
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Offline dpe.ahoy

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Re: .223 Remington questions
« Reply #20 on: February 21, 2010, 05:28:24 AM »
For sure give A2230 a try.  Also if you have the Ramshot powders around, try X-terminator or TAC for the 223.  Western Powders Inc. here in Montana distributes both brands of powder, so it's readily available here.  DP
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