reloading for 223

[colorado kid]

I just bought a Smith&Wesson MP15. My gun has a 1/9 twist. I am trying to reload some 55gr bullets for this gun but all of my reloading data says that the information in the books is for a 1/7 twist. What the reloading books say is if i use the info in the book that the bullet will come apart before it leaves the barrel and i don't want to damage the gun. so does any body have any reloading data for a 1/9 twist. thank you

[Dixie Dude]

Don't know if they will come apart.  Check on loads on the internet or get a new book.  My Lyman book says to use 69 to 80 grain bullets for the 1-9" or 1-7"   Older rifles have a 1-12" or 1-14" twist and work better with 40-55 grain bullets.  Their loads are based accordingly.  They said to watch for excessive pressures for 80 grain bullets as they have to be seated deep. 

[tacklebury]

I have a 1:9 Twist .223 and there are no issues using 55 gr. bullets with it.  I shoot 55 gr. Nosler ballistic tips quite accurately.  Last time I grouped it the size was 3/8" at 100 yards.  The twist rate will affect how long of a bullet you can shoot and typically in a 1-9 80 gr. will be max with some designs even 65 or 70 might be too long w/ hollow points.  I don't know what powder you are using, but there are several powders designed specifically for the 5.56/.223 round.  I'm a big fan of Alliant powders:
http://www.alliantpowder.com/products/powder/ar_comp.aspx
 

Caliber	Bullet	Case	Minimum OAL (inches)	Bbl Length	Primer	Powder	Charge Weight (grains)	Velocity (fps)	Notes
.223 Remington	Sierra 69 gr HPBT	Winchester	2.26	24	Fed 205M	AR-Comp	23.2	2,969	-
.223 Remington	Sierra 77 gr HPBT	Winchester	2.26	24	Fed 205M	AR-Comp	22.1	2,757	-
.223 Remington	Hornady 52 gr A-Max	Federal	2.23	24	Fed 205M	AR-Comp	25.3	3,417	-
.223 Remington	Sierra 52 gr HPBT	Federal	2.25	24	Fed 205M	AR-Comp	25.2	3,434	-
.223 Remington	Sierra 55 gr HPBT	Federal	2.24	24	Fed 205M	AR-Comp	25.6	3,359	-
.223 Remington	Hornady 68 gr BTHP	Federal	2.25	24	Fed 205M	AR-Comp	23.4	2,969	-
.223 Remington	Hornady 75 gr A-Max	Federal	2.39	24	Fed 205M	AR-Comp	23.3	2,895	-
.223 Remington	Sierra 80 gr HPBT	Federal	2.55	24	Fed 205M	AR-Comp	21.8	2,722	-
.223 Remington	Sierra 90 gr HPBT	Federal	2.55	24	Fed 205M	AR-Comp	19.8	2,477	-

[tacklebury]

To be fair Hodgedon's newest CFE 223 is their specialty:
 

Cartridge: 223 Remington Load Type: Rifle

Starting Loads

Maximum Loads

Bullet Weight (Gr.)

Manufacturer

Powder

Bullet Diam.

C.O.L.

Grs.

Vel. (ft/s)

Pressure

Grs.

Vel. (ft/s)

Pressure

40 GR. NOS BT

Hodgdon

CFE 223

.224"

2.280"

27.5

3457

40,600 PSI

29.0

3667

48,200 PSI

45 GR. SIE SP

Hodgdon

CFE 223

.224"

2.240"

27.5

3358

40,800 PSI

29.0

3536

47,200 PSI

50 GR. SPR SP

Hodgdon

CFE 223

.224"

2.210"

27.0

3241

41,500 PSI

28.5

3505

53,600 PSI

53 GR. SIE HP

Hodgdon

CFE 223

.224"

2.200"

27.0

3245

45,900 PSI

28.5

3415

52,900 PSI

55 GR. SPR SP

Hodgdon

CFE 223

.224"

2.200"

26.0

3133

43,300 PSI

27.8

3329

51,300 PSI

60 GR. HDY V-MAX

Hodgdon

CFE 223

.224"

2.250"

25.0

3007

46,000 PSI

26.7

3176

53,400 PSI

63 GR. SIE SP

Hodgdon

CFE 223

.224"

2.200"

25.0

2957

46,300 PSI

26.4

3113

53,500 PSI

69 GR. SIE HPBT

Hodgdon

CFE 223

.224"

2.235"

23.5

2788

43,800 PSI

25.8

3029

54,600 PSI

70 GR. SPR SP

Hodgdon

CFE 223

.224"

2.140"

23.0

2719

45,600 PSI

24.7

2900

53,800 PSI

75 GR. JLK VLD

Hodgdon

CFE 223

.224"

2.250"

23.0

2680

45,200 PSI

25.0

2876

54,400 PSI

77 GR. SIE HPBT

Hodgdon

CFE 223

.224"

2.260"

22.5

2627

45,400 PSI

24.3

2811

53,500 PSI

80 GR. SIE MK

Hodgdon

CFE 223

.224"

2.550"

23.0

2638

46,700 PSI

24.4

2785

53,600 PSI

90 GR. SIE HPBT

Hodgdon

CFE 223

.224"

2.380"

21.0

2391

45,900 PSI

22.8

2554

53,500 PSI

[tacklebury]

IMR's specialty is IMR3031
 

Cartridge: 223 Remington Load Type: Rifle

Starting Loads

Maximum Loads

Bullet Weight (Gr.)

Manufacturer

Powder

Bullet Diam.

C.O.L.

Grs.

Vel. (ft/s)

Pressure

Grs.

Vel. (ft/s)

Pressure

35 GR. NOS BT LF

IMR

IMR 3031

.224"

2.280"

23.4

3423

40,000 PSI

26.0C

3771

51,600 PSI

36 GR. BAR VG FB

IMR

IMR 3031

.224"

2.200"

23.3

3398

41,600 PSI

24.8C

3600

48,200 PSI

40 GR. NOS BT

IMR

IMR 3031

.224"

2.280"

23.5

3291

42,600 PSI

25.2C

3498

46,200 PSI

45 GR. SFIRE

IMR

IMR 3031

.224"

2.220"

21.0

2981

37,000 PSI

24.0C

3400

52,300 PSI

45 GR. SIE SP

IMR

IMR 3031

.224"

2.240"

22.7

3065

37,700 PSI

25.2C

3374

45,800 PSI

50 GR. SPR SP

IMR

IMR 3031

.224"

2.210"

23.5

3169

44,600 PSI

25.0

3268

46,900 PSI

53 GR. SIE HP

IMR

IMR 3031

.224"

2.200"

22.0

2959

40,700 PSI

24.5C

3260

53,300 PSI

55 GR. SPR SP

IMR

IMR 3031

.224"

2.200"

21.6

2907

41,100 PSI

24.6C

3233

52,500 PSI

60 GR. HDY V-MAX

IMR

IMR 3031

.224"

2.250"

21.0

2815

42,500 PSI

22.5

3008

51,700 PSI

63 GR. SIE SP

IMR

IMR 3031

.224"

2.200"

21.0

2737

42,900 PSI

23.3

3018

53,000 PSI

69 GR. SIE HPBT

IMR

IMR 3031

.224"

2.235"

21.0

2707

42,900 PSI

22.5

2906

52,800 PSI

70 GR. SPR SP

IMR

IMR 3031

.224"

2.140"

19.0

2582

47,200 PSI

21.2

2729

50,900 PSI

75 GR. JLK VLD

IMR

IMR 3031

.224"

2.250"

20.0

2543

40,000 PSI

21.8C

2740

53,500 PSI

77 GR. SIE HPBT

IMR

IMR 3031

.224"

2.260"

18.5

2365

42,200 PSI

21.3C

2692

53,700 PSI

80 GR. SIE MK

IMR

IMR 3031

.224"

2.550"

18.5

2336

42,600 PSI

21.0

2632

51,500 PSI

[Larry Gibson]

It is the extremely thin jacketed "explosive" varmint bullets that do not fair well in twists of 7 - 9" at velocities much over 2800 fps.  Examples are; Hornady 45 gr Hornet, 50 & 55 gr SXs, Sierra 50 gr Blitz's, Speers 52 HPs, the 50 & 50 gr TNTs and perhaps the Midway "dogtown 50 & 55 gr bullets and maybe the Nosler Varmigedden bullets. 
 
Larry Gibson

[1sourdough]

 It sounds like that 1/7" twist is just the rifling in the test barrel? That wouldn't be an issue with your loads as long as your charges are reasonable, within listed data. A 1/9" will handle a wide range of bullets weights. I wouldn't worry about the twist rate in the test barrel.

[Buckskin]

I have a Remington R-15 with a 1/9 twist and it shot 55 gr VMax's good and hornady bulk stuff ok.  Gradually moved up to 60's and now 70's and they shot progressively better.  Was playing around with 70gr Bergers last weekend and they were amazingly accurate, best bullet I've shot out of my gun.  My point is, 55's will work, but my guess is that heavier will fly better. If your not shooting long distance I wouldn't worry about it, because 55's are so cheap.

[drdougrx]

I'm shooting a bushy natl match target with a 1 in 9 twist and nosler 69gr BTHPs or Hornady 68gr BTHPs and they shoot great.  My rem 700 with a 1 in 12 twist is however another story!!!

[yooper77]

55 grain bullets are the probably the lightest bullets you can get away with using in a 1 and 9" twist rifling. Your rifling twist will most likely become more accurate with bullets heavier than 55 grains.
 
I have a Thompson Center Encore 24" 223 Remington rifle barrel and it has a 1 and 12" twist rifling. The heaviest bullets I have used are 60 grain Hornady Spire Point and Nosler Partitions and both are very accurate. I haven't tried the Speer 70 grain semi-spitzer, but people say it can be used in a 1 and 12" twist rifling.
 
yooper77

[KAYR1]

My M&P shoots 55 grain bullets just fine. I havent even tried loading heavier since i have such a large number or the 55 fmjs around. I can easily ring steel out to 200+ yards with irons or the Eotech (no magnification), and have chopped up a few chucks as well. Try others, but 55 grains will work fine in most 1:9 barrels

[Buckskin]

If you just shooting open sights or 1-4x optics 55's will be plenty accurate.

[Dixie Dude]

Just out of curiosity, in say a survival situation.  What bullet weight and type would be good for deer.  I was thinking 55-60 something TSX bullets for penetration.  Or Nosler partitions. 

[hillbill]

Just out of curiosity, in say a survival situation.  What bullet weight and type would be good for deer.  I was thinking 55-60 something TSX bullets for penetration.  Or Nosler partitions.
[/quote
 
all the bullets you mention are good. if put in the correct place.

[tacklebury]

I've shot down to 40's in my 1:9, but the 40's are my Low velocity loads.  Only moving about 1200 fps or a little under.  I'm using the 40 gr. Winchester HP's to simulate a .22 LR in a reloadable platform using unique powder.  Very accurate 1 hole groups at 25 yards and sub 1/4" at 50 yards.

 
If I were hunting deer I'd probably use a softpoint similar to this one from Hornady and go for upper neck/low head shots.
 

[yooper77]

Just out of curiosity, in say a survival situation.  What bullet weight and type would be good for deer.  I was thinking 55-60 something TSX bullets for penetration.  Or Nosler partitions.

My money goes to Nosler Partitions, I will always leave the Barnes bullets in inventory for the sales clerks to count.
 
I hand load the 223 Remington using 60 grain Nosler Partition with H-4895 in my T/C Encore 24" rifle barrel. My daughter has used it the two past years on Michigan's September youth hunts. One was a 75 yard double lung and broke a rib on exiting, the other was 60 yards high in the spine also complete exit and both nicely harvested white-tailed bucks.
 
The other bullet I would consider is Speer's 70 grain semi-spitzer, but the Nosler Partition works too flawlessly to ever change.
 
yooper77

[ratdog]

i was shooting 55grn fmg and spire points this is in my shorty h&r rifle 16 1/2'' barrel 1-12 twist they shot real good then i tried some 45 grn hornets this gun really likes these found the sweet load.

[Land_Owner]

I have yet to see a bullet "come apart" in a .223 barrel (or any barrel) or even immediately upon exiting a rifle or hand gun.  That would be interesting to say the least.  A puff of smokeless powder and shrapnel for the first 10-feet.  Kind of like a smooth bore 22 LR shotgun and rat loads. 

Imagine shooting Carpenter Bees (or other suitable targets) around your property with your AR and NOT worrying about the round traveling 1.5 miles to impact into an unintended target/house/automobile/bicycle rider/etc.  Of course, shooting like that would mean with absolute certainty that NONE of the rounds could EVER exit the muzzle intact.  No guarantee on that.

You also allude to ruining a barrel/gun.  I wonder what would be the characteristics that might "vaporize" a frangible bullet in the barrel and what would happen to the parts?  Bulge a barrel maybe?  Nothing maybe?  Interesting Food for Thought.

[Lloyd Smale]

ill give that post an amen. the 60 partition is the cream of the crop for self defense or deer hunting with a 223. Ill agree with landowner too. Ive yet to see a 223 do that to a bullet. I have seen it happen in 22250s with twist faster then 1-14 though. Not with 55s though. It happened to me using 45s at screaming velocitys.

Just out of curiosity, in say a survival situation.  What bullet weight and type would be good for deer.  I was thinking 55-60 something TSX bullets for penetration.  Or Nosler partitions.

My money goes to Nosler Partitions, I will always leave the Barnes bullets in inventory for the sales clerks to count.
 
I hand load the 223 Remington using 60 grain Nosler Partition with H-4895 in my T/C Encore 24" rifle barrel. My daughter has used it the two past years on Michigan's September youth hunts. One was a 75 yard double lung and broke a rib on exiting, the other was 60 yards high in the spine also complete exit and both nicely harvested white-tailed bucks.
 
The other bullet I would consider is Speer's 70 grain semi-spitzer, but the Nosler Partition works too flawlessly to ever change.
 
yooper77

[45-70.gov]

I have yet to see a bullet "come apart" in a .223 barrel (or any barrel) or even immediately upon exiting a rifle or hand gun.  That would be interesting to say the least.  A puff of smokeless powder and shrapnel for the first 10-feet.  Kind of like a smooth bore 22 LR shotgun and rat loads. 

Imagine shooting Carpenter Bees (or other suitable targets) around your property with your AR and NOT worrying about the round traveling 1.5 miles to impact into an unintended target/house/automobile/bicycle rider/etc.  Of course, shooting like that would mean with absolute certainty that NONE of the rounds could EVER exit the muzzle intact.  No guarantee on that.

You also allude to ruining a barrel/gun.  I wonder what would be the characteristics that might "vaporize" a frangible bullet in the barrel and what would happen to the parts?  Bulge a barrel maybe?  Nothing maybe?  Interesting Food for Thought.

i can't imagine shooting a carpenter bee


my  75 grain bullets  are very accurate in my smith  performance center AR  [1 in 9?]  at 200 meters
but  they tumble  in my  1 in 12 handi  at 50 feet

[Center Shot]

All of my 1 in 9" guns shoot sub 1/2 minute using 52 gr match bullets with 25 gr of H335.

Sent from my Kindle Fire using Tapatalk 2

[ratdog]

i loaded some 45 grn hornets with 28 grns h335 to hot stick with 25 grns. stuck a few 55 in my ar same load big mistake blew a few primers jammed rifle up.tried opening bolt broke charging handle broke  .fixed now pulled all bullets went to 25 grns h335 won't do that again. my handy would shoot them ok but they would shoot high no sign of excessive pressure pulled bullets any way. i usually use h4895 with 25 grns powder.

[Center Shot]

I have shot them in a contender, savage bolt gun, savage 24V, mini 14, and 2 dfferent ARs without any pressure signs what so ever. In fact it is my go to load for 223 when shooting less than 300yds.

[ratdog]

 i found out the hard way why they crimp the primers on auto loader especially the military stuff.never had a problem before.

[Center Shot]

I did have to buy a small base die for an AR with a Rock River barrel, rounds would not go into battery when using a normal full lenght resizeing die.

[colorado kid]

I want to say thanks for all of the information I have gotten from all of you. right now i am using some h4895 powder 25gr but i will see how the 55gr bullets will shoot with h4895 i might go to 335powder,