Author Topic: Bullet weight for the 223 handi (Read 1130 times)

22KHornet · « **on:** October 18, 2004, 05:13:29 AM »

OK while I do not claim to be an expert on anything, I have noticed something with my bull barreled handi. Lighter bullets perform much better than there heavier counterparts. I started out with the Winchester 55 grn fmj for shooting up targets :? Not a very good choice the groups really open up with these things. Next I went to the black hills 52 grain hollow points, a little better but not great :? . Next came the 45 grn winchester white box ammo :grin: now this shot very well and I figured I had found my ammo for yote busting. Alas as a reloader I am always trying to find something better than what works. So I loaded up about 10 rounds using the 40 grn nosler ballistic tips that I load into my khornet. Wow even better. At 100 yd bench rest 4 out of 5 shots were all but touching with one flier that was probably my fault over the guns.

Anyway to try and wrap this up has anyone else noticed that the lighter the bullet the better your handi works.

Later

gwhilikerz · « **Reply #1 on:** October 18, 2004, 05:26:43 AM »

Yep :grin:

olredhead · « **Reply #2 on:** October 18, 2004, 05:32:58 AM »

Hey 22k
Have read in past posts of folks having the same results as you. I'm just a baby to this reloading stuff, using a Lee hand loader. I haven't worked my down to the lighter bullets yet but am having good results with Speer 52 gr match HP's, less than 1" with the flyers kicked out . If you wouldn't mind, what powder are you using? How much and does OAL seem to effect your groups? Thanks olredhead

quickdtoo · « **Reply #3 on:** October 18, 2004, 05:35:44 AM »

Yup, there are lots of posts about this exact subject here, most find the win white box 45gr JHP to shoot as good if not better than their handloads. Not many use 55gr and bigger due to the rifling twist rate of our rifles. My Ultra Varmint came with a notice to the effect of using bullets heavier than 55grs will be less accurate. After lapping the bore with bore paste, mine shoots the win 45gr JHP extremely well with .265" and .440" ctc 100yd groups after only 80 rounds thru it. The Ultramax 40gr Vmax shoot almost as good, ~1/2" groups at 100yds. With that kind of accuracy with $10-12 per 40 rounds ammo, I see no need to invest in components to reload for this rifle, at least for what little I shoot em. YMMV :grin:

22KHornet · « **Reply #4 on:** October 18, 2004, 05:43:23 AM »

OAL? I basically just put a loaded 45grn winchester in the press, adjusted the dies for it and tried out the 40 grn bullet, and since I do not think I will get any better than that I think I will just keep it there. As for the powder I will have to double check but I think it was imr 4198 but I will check and see how many grains of powder I was using.

Quickdtoo, yeah you can get good ammo cheap but I just cannot bring myself to throw away perfectly good brass :grin:

By the way I am not sure if it is helping but I did molycoat the 40 grainers.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #5 on:** October 18, 2004, 05:56:32 AM »

Quote from: 22KHornet

Quickdtoo, yeah you can get good ammo cheap but I just cannot bring myself to throw away perfectly good brass :grin:

I don't throw it away, I give it to the guys at the range that handload, it gets put to good use that way. :wink: If I shot the .223 more, I'd be thinkin the same as you! I just bought a .204 Ruger Handi, so I'm thinkin maybe it will see more use than the .223, don't know yet, the cost of factory ammo for it will definetly cause a handloading session for it if I shoot more, though. I don't believe I'll be leaving any .204 brass at the range, at any rate! :lol:

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=43208

Coastwatcher · « **Reply #6 on:** October 18, 2004, 07:36:21 AM »

I am having good success with the 45 gr Hornady spire point. Using h335 I usually can touch the holes at 100 yds. ( subject to the jerk on the trigger. )

223Shooter · « **Reply #7 on:** October 18, 2004, 10:06:14 AM »

When I first got my .223 NEF Handi, I tried most all weight bullets. To make a long story short....55gr bullets shoot the best out of my gun. I now load both Horns and Nosler 55gr bullets...with great results. Funny how that works !!

Coastwatcher · « **Reply #8 on:** October 18, 2004, 10:28:25 AM »

They are unique to say the least. My .223 Handi is an older one and doesn't seem to have as deep a throat as the later. I am seating the 45 gr about .010 off the rifling. I tried the Noslers as well as the V-Max but they didn't do as well for me. I will keep trying them with different powder/seating over the winter. I got good results with Speer 52 gr hollowpoints. I have floated the barrell and modified the scope base and have a 6-24x40 mounted. It provides me with lots of entertainment working the loads. Kind of fun watching peoples reactions as the results come in.

22KHornet · « **Reply #9 on:** October 18, 2004, 10:41:46 AM »

That makes me think of what have you guys had to do to get good groups with your handi. Mine has involved putting a scope on it and some beartooth camo covers (yote gun) and that is it. I have read about people have to freefloat the barrel and all sorts of things but mine is stock. I have also had the same kind of good luck with my 20 guage ultra barrel and my 357max barrel as far as accuracy goes, still working on the huntsman barrel :?

v8r · « **Reply #10 on:** October 20, 2004, 04:53:14 AM »

D I used to have a standard nef handi rifle in .223 and I could shoot pennies taped to a target at 100 yards with it. It seemed to like federal premium 40 grain hollow points,but I probably put way over a 1000 rounds through it.I sold it about 5 years ago,and regretted it ever since.I now have a ultra varmint in 223 and I dont think its as accurate.The guy i sold it to probably never has fired it ,and i bet he still has it..........MAYBE I NEED TO SEE IF I CAN BUY IT BACK FROM HIM. I could get .375 five shot groups with it.What do you guys think?

Mitch in MI · « **Reply #11 on:** October 20, 2004, 01:54:27 PM »

Quote from: v8r

I could get .375 five shot groups with it.What do you guys think?

I wonder why people get rid of guns which shoot like that. You might consider offering the fellow your 223 UV in trade if you miss the old Handi that much.

22KHornet · « **Reply #12 on:** October 21, 2004, 04:09:36 AM »

22 grains of IMR4198 driving a moly coated 40 grain nosler ballistic tip bullet. I have not been able to chrono this yet and it is not loaded to the max but accuracy is more important than speed. I figure I am getting between 3500 and 3600 fps if my Hornady manual is right. I did get to bust a muskrat at about 60 yds last weekend :grin: not a pretty picture when I picked him up though :shock:

v8r · « **Reply #13 on:** October 21, 2004, 06:59:45 AM »

Mitch the reason i sold it was to have enough money to buy a ruger #1 in .223.I got the ruger and it wouldn't shoot a 1.5 inch group at a 100 yards,but it was pretty to look at.I sold it also because it dosen't make a difference how pretty it is if it won't shoot.Live and learn my friend. :grin:

dannyk · « **Reply #14 on:** October 21, 2004, 03:11:05 PM »

Did the same thing, started out with the american eagle fmj to shoot paper, wasn't very happy with the groups. Started to go down on bullet weight and trying different powder with each bullet. I finally settled on 40gr. Hornady ballistic tip, with 25.5gr. of H322 powder with a oal of 2.246 chronographed at 3418. Sighted in at 2 inches high at 100, it shoots 3 1/2 inches high at 200, and 1 1/2 inch low at 300 holding on the center of the target from a bench rest, I am very pleased with that.
223 Ultra varmint with 6x24 mil dot lighted reticle scope

handirifle · « **Reply #15 on:** October 21, 2004, 06:53:47 PM »

My 223 UV started out liking the 40gr VMax way better than any other bullet. But now it "prefers" the 40gr but still will shoot anythin I have fed it 40, 45, 46, and 50gr into 1.2" or less.

No complaints here. :grin:

DanielWGriggs · « **Reply #16 on:** November 06, 2004, 05:03:57 AM »

Still a work in progress but am working lighter bullet loads and getting better groups as it progresses. Still shooting and cleaning frequently barrel has no roughness with tight patches and only about 350 rounds threw it. The guys at the range used to make fun of my choice of rifles now they have a little more respect Ithink it's due to consistant 1/2" groups with 50gr Barnes x bullets/load I worked up but some of the lighter loads are showing great promise for more economical shooting.
CT's,Hornady's, and sierra are all on the bench currently. But I had to stop for a while to work up a load for the RMEF .308. Love these Handi's.