Author Topic: .223 best weight for accuracy. (Read 1286 times)

Mohawk · « **on:** October 04, 2004, 01:27:25 PM »

Hey ya'll,

I'll be ordering soon a .223 handi and would like ya'lls experience as to which bullet weight would be the best, or worst, in this caliber. Thanx

handirifle · « **Reply #1 on:** October 04, 2004, 01:33:53 PM »

Due to the 1-12 twist, most Handi's are going to limit you to 60gr and under. Some have shot 60's good but most of us are limited to 55gr or less. Usually 40-55 depending on design.

The Winchester USA value pak from Wal Mart for about $12 per 40 rds is usually a very accurate loading.

When I first got my Ultra Varmint, I polished the bore and the chamber with JB's bore paste before firing a shot. I also cleaned the ejector assy, very well before shooting it too.

So far not a single stuck case and this baby is starting to like anything I feed it.

Good luck and have fun. PS. Stay away from the military surplus stuff. Too hot and will cause problems. Besides NEF recommends against using it anyway.

Mohawk · « **Reply #2 on:** October 04, 2004, 03:46:59 PM »

Are you referring to the Winchester USA ammo? Haven't been to Wal Mart in a while. What velocities are you referring to as the military stuff? I found some, in bulk, that is using a 55gr. at 3250fps loaded by Federal and some Remington that is 55gr. at 3240fps. What do you think?

handirifle · « **Reply #3 on:** October 04, 2004, 05:12:53 PM »

Yep the WIn USA in the white 40rd box. they're loaded with 45gr HP's.

Any ammo that says "5.56 NATO on it was what I was referring to. Or ammo that says Mil Surplus. No velocities were mentioned.

Win publishes 3600fps for the white box stuff but I doubt that was a 22 or 24" barrel.

Cottonwood · « **Reply #4 on:** October 04, 2004, 05:22:46 PM »

Winchester white box value pack in the 55-gr FMJ 40 round box is just $7.59 a box. The 40-gr HP value packs are $12.59 a box of 40.

Very good deal and they shoot very consistant in my Remington 700 ADL :grin:

Paul5388 · « **Reply #5 on:** October 04, 2004, 06:35:46 PM »

I loaded some 62 gr Speer fmjbt last night with 23.5 gr IMR 3031 and a CCI 400 primer in UMC brass. It has rained all day, so I haven't had a chance to shoot them yet.

I'll shoot them out of a 2003 (NT) synthetic .223 standard 22" barrel, that I bought in January of this year. I'll post the results when I get a little clear weather.

Mohawk · « **Reply #6 on:** October 04, 2004, 07:58:15 PM »

Thanks for the info guys. It gives me a good idea what I'm looking for.

borg1 · « **Reply #7 on:** October 05, 2004, 02:43:36 AM »

I have a Handi with the bull .223 barrel. I've been using PMC bronze in 55gr fmj and Remington UMC's in same bullet. After using BP paste to 'lap' the barrel, and with the stock trigger at 7lbs., my average groupings are slightly under MOA (ranges 0.5 to 1.5 inches).

I have heard those Winchester 45gr HP in the white box are deadly accurate. I'd try them first in spite of the results i've had with the other loads.

I am moving to handloads now that my factory ammo is exhausted and the barrel is broken in. I am thinking of handloading speer 52 gr HPBT Match bullets. Should be good for paper targets and furry varmints.

Due to the twist rate on these barrels, best accuracy is LIKELY had with bullets less than 55 gr.

Good luck.

MtJerry · « **Reply #8 on:** October 05, 2004, 03:16:39 AM »

I have a load worked up for the Sierra 63gr. SP that is using IMR 4895 and is getting groups just under 1" at 100. I'll post it if anyone is interested.

Donaldo · « **Reply #9 on:** October 05, 2004, 06:38:55 AM »

MTJerry, I'm interested, also have you chrono'ed the load. Probably not going to be too fast what with the smallish capacity of the 223 case. Velocity and accuracy, I like them both, but accuracy better.

MtJerry · « **Reply #10 on:** October 05, 2004, 07:28:45 AM »

Donaldo

I do not own a chrony so I am forced to wag at the velocity. Fromt he published data from IMR it's about 2700fps.

I originally worked up this load for taking small deer with. The energy is there, good BC, just have to limit shots to 150 yards or less.

OTOH - I have two other great loads for this gun that are VERY accurate (.5 or less at 100). Both use IMR 4895

40gr Hornady V-MAX (.410 @100)
55gr Hornady SP (.480 @100)

I don't have the info here with me at work, I will post it here when I get home tonight.

Sorry for hijacking the original poster's thread!!!!!

Cottonwood · « **Reply #11 on:** October 05, 2004, 07:36:05 AM »

Good tested data is ALWAYS welcome

MtJerry · « **Reply #12 on:** October 05, 2004, 03:35:10 PM »

HAs promised, here are the loads that have been the best for my .223 Handi. Notice that all of them are based on IMR 4895 powder.

40gr. Hornady V-MAX
CCI 400
26.0gr. IMR 4895 Best group was .610
Winchester Brass
COL 2.200

55gr. Hornady SP
CCI 400
25.4gr. IMR 4895 Best group was .444
Winchester Brass
COL 2.200

63gr. Sierra SP
CCI 400
23.9gr. IMR 4895 Best group was .910
Winchester Brass
COL 2.250

I hope this is helpful to someone .....

Paul5388 · « **Reply #13 on:** October 05, 2004, 06:29:46 PM »

Here's the chrony results on the 62 gr Speer FMJBT with CCI 400, 23.5 gr IMR 3031 in UMC brass. The chrony was set up at 15' from the muzzle.

2771 fps
2822 fps
2803 fps
2770 fps
2769 fps
2870 fps
2864 fps
2802 fps
2809 fps average
2835 fps corrected to MV

I didn't get a group on this load. As usual, the shots changed POI as the barrel fouled with IMR 3031 instead of whatever I shot last. By the 4th shot the POI had moved over 11", which ended up being off the paper. I may try again tomorrow for a group.

The holes I managed to get on paper were typical round .224" holes, with no tumbling noted.

handirifle · « **Reply #14 on:** October 06, 2004, 08:00:00 AM »

MTJerry
I believe that is the first I have rad of any bullet over 55gr grouping well in the Handi. Sierra must have got it right.

What is your barrel length?

MtJerry · « **Reply #15 on:** October 06, 2004, 08:35:41 AM »

Handirifle -

It's an SB-2 ..... stock, no mods, no o-ring, nada ...... Handi rifle - 22"

Forarm screw is just snug and tuck the bags against the trigger guard when shooting.

My thoughts are working along the line that this gun likes slower powders.

I had a friend at another forum tell me he was getting some good groups this this bullet (NEF and AR-15 - same load for both guns :shock: - go figure) so I gave it a try. After doing some more reading in the Sierra manual, I discovered that this 63gr. bullet was MADE for the 1-12 twist guns!

First few trys were dismal with H3335 and AA2230, so I switched powders to the one I knew worked with other bullets - IMR 4895. And bang, just like that I got good groups with 55gr'ers, and the 63 gr'er.

Never give up, gotta try everything before you know what it''ll do.

I am now interested in trying a 60 V-MAX with this powder :twisted: !

By the way, saw the website you are putting together - NICE! Hope to see more of it!

Jerry

handirifle · « **Reply #16 on:** October 06, 2004, 09:47:15 AM »

MtJerry
Thanks, it's a work in progress. haven't touched it in a couple weeks. been getting my Savage ready for the elk hunt the 16th. :grin:

Will have to keep those other powders in mind.

I still have one son's 223 that isn't doing well. Will try new loads on it.

Hildy · « **Reply #17 on:** October 06, 2004, 02:54:07 PM »

White Box 40grn HP seem to be the cheapest accurate load available for the Handi.

However, my buddy has a 223 Handi with the heavy barrel and he likes Hornady 55grn V-Max at 3060fps. These are called the TAP rounds. I think it stands for Tactical Police or somthing or other??? All I can tell you is that they destroy a milk jug of water at 100 yards.

Good Shootin'

Hildy

handirifle · « **Reply #18 on:** October 06, 2004, 05:47:47 PM »

Hildy
You want to see a milk jug destroyed, then see what I saw. A fellow blew up two of them at 50yds with his 416 RIGBY!!!

Water sprayed about 20ft in every direction. Quite a show!

Paul5388 · « **Reply #19 on:** October 06, 2004, 06:15:00 PM »

I went out today with 6 more 62 gr Speer loaded with 23.5 gr IMR 3031 and CCI 400 in UMC brass. I managed to hit the paper twice out of 6 shots. :eek:

They don't look promising enough to pursue any further.

Hildy · « **Reply #20 on:** October 07, 2004, 10:15:55 AM »

LOL

At over $100.00 a box, shooting milkjugs with a elephant gun can be pretty expensive. I would imagine its pretty cool though....

I can tell you that the absolute most damage to a milkjug I have seen to date would be when I blasted one with my 25/06 using Hornady 75grn V-Max's. The bullet scorched outta the muzzle at close to 3600fps and shredded the milkjug into sevaral pieces, practically misting the water inside :grin:

Hildy

handirifle · « **Reply #21 on:** October 07, 2004, 10:40:13 AM »

Yea as you can guess, he reloads. But even then it's over $60 for a box of 50 bullets. Cheapest I've seen loaded ammo was $114 a box.

He was shooting a 350gr bullet at around 2900fps. It too, shredded the jug.

Paul
I think the 62 gr speer and the 63gr sierra bullets I believe are designed totally different. As was mentioned the 63gr Sierra was designed for the 1-12 twist rate barrels. It's not as sleek as the speer but for the ranges it should be used 100-200yds it will not drop enough to even be a concern.

Paul5388 · « **Reply #22 on:** October 07, 2004, 04:23:37 PM »

Handirifle,

I already had the bullets, so I thought I would see what they did. Now we all know!