Author Topic: Powder for NEF .223 ONLY! (Read 1302 times)

MtJerry · « **on:** September 02, 2004, 12:40:23 PM »

As many may know, Handi's can be kinda finnicky about powders. They seem to prefer the slower powders rather than the faster burning powders.

Here is my question - What is your favorite powder to use in your .223 Handi Rifle?

PLEASE no loads for other types of guns. I am curious about the NEF guns in particular.

My best load was with IMR 4895 and the 40gr V-MAX

What about yours?

dannyk · « **Reply #1 on:** September 02, 2004, 01:26:16 PM »

40gr Hornady ballistic tip W H322 powder 25.5gr

jeff223 · « **Reply #2 on:** September 02, 2004, 02:38:37 PM »

i shot the group on the right for the last postal match.a max load of blc2 powder and a 55gr Nosler BT bullet were used.AOL is 2.5

the other target is a 30-30 group with the same powder

blc2 is a very good powder for the 223 in any rifle.you might also want to try Varget .i have used both but i am now using just the blc2,it meters much better in my powder measure

shaner · « **Reply #3 on:** September 02, 2004, 05:03:51 PM »

blc-2 with my 223 works great

hvacman · « **Reply #4 on:** September 02, 2004, 06:12:18 PM »

I've been having good results with Reloader 7

Fred M · « **Reply #5 on:** September 02, 2004, 06:25:11 PM »

Try Varget for all weights of bullets. F M.

handirifle · « **Reply #6 on:** September 02, 2004, 08:25:28 PM »

27gr of H335 for this group. Hornady 40gr V-max

Wlscott · « **Reply #7 on:** September 03, 2004, 04:07:30 AM »

I've been using Varget for my Ultra .223, but I'm about to start testing BLC(2) soon. 'Course, I've been saying that for a couple of months now :grin:

handirifle · « **Reply #8 on:** September 03, 2004, 07:52:58 AM »

wlscott
Sometime we move kinda slow. But we think and shoot fast :grin: isn't that what counts?

223Shooter · « **Reply #9 on:** September 04, 2004, 05:08:17 PM »

BenchMark powder and most any 55gr bullet works very well in my .223 NEF.

MtJerry · « **Reply #10 on:** September 22, 2004, 10:40:45 AM »

Finally found the load I was looking for for my .223 NEF Handi Rifle. Went to the range at lunch-time today and shot a 100 yard group that measured .650.

Load was:

CCI 400 Primer
Winchester brass
55gr Hornady SP
25.4gr IMR 4895
COL 2.200

Plan on trying a bit of deer hunting with it this fall (no flames please, I know my limits).

I have GREAT varmint load that will shoot 3/8 groups all day at 100 with a hornady 40gr V-MAX, but would never try that bullet on a deer.

I have tried a LOT of combinations of bullets and powder (mostly ball powder) with this.

H335
H322
Win 748

Speer 55gr
Sierra 55gr to 63 gr (might try the 63 gr again sometime with the IMR 4895)
Hornady 55gr to 60 gr

My conclusion is this, my gun likes the slower powder, AND never give up!

Somerled · « **Reply #11 on:** September 22, 2004, 10:54:13 AM »

Try Hodgdon's Varget.

handirifle · « **Reply #12 on:** September 22, 2004, 11:39:52 AM »

MtJerry
My load posted with the pic above was also with the 40gr Vmax. Love it.

The 55gr hornady SP, is it a boattail? Is it a heavy constructed bullet (for a 224 anyway)?

I have wondered about the 223 for deer as well. The can be VERY small in So Cal. Not wanting any flames either as I KNOW what it can do firsthand.

MtJerry · « **Reply #13 on:** September 22, 2004, 12:13:15 PM »

Hey Handirifle,

No, not a boattail. It is a flat base.

Hornady Product # 2265. It has a BC of .235.

I don't expect to use this beyond 150 yards and should work well for deer. I'll post something here if I get one with it.

robin-hood-90 · « **Reply #14 on:** September 26, 2004, 03:52:44 AM »

mine was 26 grain of varget with a 40 grain nosler ballistic tip

Cottonwood · « **Reply #15 on:** September 26, 2004, 04:32:07 AM »

Guy's this is all great information. Since I just got a deal on a Rem 700, 223. I know I should have just sent my Ultra in for the fitting of a .223 barrel. I will do that come winter, I needed the 45-70 for hunting with this year if I don't use my Sharps

I think when I do this I will get the .223, .243 and the .308 and I think what is nice is that they are all bull barrels. I will have to call and see if the 25-06 can be fitted as well.

How many of you have hunted preditors or prairie dogs?

Check out the high speed still pic shots http://www.dogbegone.com/bullet.htm each picture shows the bullets path leading to the end result. After you done that, you can click on their video links page and see some actual taking of pairie dogs.

handirifle · « **Reply #16 on:** September 26, 2004, 07:51:49 AM »

mtKerry
Thanks.

MtJerry · « **Reply #17 on:** September 29, 2004, 04:54:02 AM »

Handirifle ....

MtKerry

?!!!!!!! MTKERRY!!!!!!

Sorry not related to that piece of you-know-what .....

Gotta watch those fingers on the keyboard and those not-politically-correct spelling errors :-D

You are welcome for the information.

I have since tried the 63gr. Sierra's with the IMR 4895 and have shot consistent groups of about .800 with it. Only problem, it's a near max load and the velocity is only about 2700fps.

Jeff223 -

Any other "adjustments" you have made to your .223 to get those groups you submitted for the postal match, or is it stock and just the blc2?

thanks,

Mt J erry

handirifle · « **Reply #18 on:** September 29, 2004, 05:59:54 AM »

MtJerryMtJerryMtJerryMtJerryMtJerryMtJerryMtJerryMtJerryMtJerryMtJerryMtJerryMtJerryMtJerry

Oops.

Sorry about that. Not intentional I assure you.

I did notice the BIG "J" at the bootom now :grin:

jeff223 · « **Reply #19 on:** September 29, 2004, 06:58:57 AM »

mtjerry,
i had a new crown cut by my smith,i one on the left is the new one and the one on the right is a stock nef crown.i also added the big steel bar out of my 10ga butt stock and put it in my 223 butt stock for added weight.i have a very light trigger on my 223 and there is no wood touching the barrel from the forarm stud forward.i also hand lapped the bore of this handi rifle