Author Topic: couple of reloading questions for the .223 handi? (Read 750 times)

thelaw · « **on:** February 23, 2005, 06:56:56 AM »

i'm fixing to start trying to work up some loads and was wondering if i could get some advice on bullet, powder and die selection. what works good for you type stuff. i mainly just play around with my handi, but i may let my son try to zip one of our smallish local whitetails next season with it, up close of course. i mainly will just be headshooting hogs and doing some predator hunting myself. i handload my deer rifles using lee collet dies and they work great, but i'm wondering how the handis are about neck sizing and functioning properly. i really don't have a clue as to what powders to try, but i'm thinking about trying hornady 50gr. and 55gr. sp and v-max. any advice is welcomed.
thanks

handirifle · « **Reply #1 on:** February 23, 2005, 07:43:07 AM »

For the 223 for deer, if you HAVE to, use as heavily constructed bullet that is accurate.

That said, try bullets from 40gr on up to 55. There is one Sierra 63 gr that has produced acceptable accuracy, but mostly 55 and under.

For powder, start with BL-C(2) and H335, as these seems to produce the best overal results in the Handi.

My particular best is 27gr of H335 with Hornady 40 Vmax. For factory stuff the Win White box (40 pak) seems about the best. If the rifle is new, make sure you clean the ejector assembly and barrel and chamber very well BEFORE shooting. You might also consider polishing the chamber and bore too. I did on mine and breakin time was drastically reduced. Plus have never had a stuck case yet.

Otherwise it may take 200-300 rounds before it settles down to good groups.

MtJerry · « **Reply #2 on:** February 23, 2005, 10:12:28 AM »

handirifle hit the nail right on the head

Nuttinbutchunks · « **Reply #3 on:** February 23, 2005, 10:35:18 AM »

I echo what handirifle said, and would add Varget powder to the list.

thelaw · « **Reply #4 on:** February 23, 2005, 11:34:56 AM »

well, so far i've ran about 100-120 rounds thru it. i've floated the barrel. i tried the o-ring trick, but i was still getting play back and forth which kept changing my point of impact. to fix this i got a small piece of plastic band about 1/8" wide and 1/16" thick and placed just forward of the lug. i had to also place one at the very rear of the stock as it also had some play back and forth. i've given the rifle a thorough cleaning and have polished the chamber. also cleaned the bore several times with sweets after shooting. i've only shot one load thru it so far, some officer issue winch. 55gr psp. they average 1-1.25" most of the time. i would like to get the rifle under and inch on a more consistant basis. also considering sending the receiver back and having the trigger adjusted. anyone have a ruff estimate how long the turn around time is on a factory trigger job?

quickdtoo · « **Reply #5 on:** February 23, 2005, 12:10:45 PM »

A month or more....I wouldn't send one in for just a trigger job, I'd recommend doing that yourself....they're pretty easy if you can follow instructions and are good with hand tools.....I've done several, all are 2lbs3oz to 2lbs6oz with no creep and are glass smooth and break very crisp. Those that I've had H&R do were right around 3lb-6oz.

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=52341

http://www.perkloafm.com/

borg1 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 24, 2005, 11:49:27 AM »

i've posted earlier on the potential of 27 gr of Varget behind 40 gr Sierra Varminter HPs. 0.75" MOA with 'em. I have free floated the barrel, but need to try the spacer trick mentioned by QuickD. I still have yet to work on the trigger, its a real hoss at 7.5 lbs :?

Lord only knows what that gun would due if the shooter had a lighter trigger to deal with :oops:

Believe what everyone says about break in. I started out just shooting and could never get decent groups consistently. I then polished the bore 12-15 times (10 back and forth strokes each time) with USP bore past (like JB). Things have settled down, except the problem i mentioned earlier wrt first group out of clean barrel is wider than the rest at the same loading.

Any observation, my best groupings are with the higher end on velocity. I have read posts on good groups with low velocity loadings, and would love a heads up on them!

Good luck, hope to see the results of your efforts soon...

aulrich · « **Reply #7 on:** February 24, 2005, 02:50:59 PM »

One thing that the other fellas did not pick up on was that the lee collet dies will probably not work for your handi, it definitly didn't with mine. Because of the gap in the action the shoulder needs to be set back every time.

Bad Irv · « **Reply #8 on:** February 25, 2005, 10:57:44 AM »

The Lee collet die works great with my 223 Ultra Varmint. The reloads slide right in easily. I like the collet dies because the cases stay fire formed, you don't have to use any lube, and the bullets are seated more concentrically. I might have to FL resize after 4 or 5 firings, but not any more than that. I keep my brass at the maximum length specified because of the long throat in this rifle.
:-)

Best, Irv

aulrich · « **Reply #9 on:** February 26, 2005, 07:55:07 AM »

I have to admit I may be wrong about the collet die. One thing about my handi was that it had a loose fit. But since I added the shim (read stiffening up an action) I though I would try just to load a fired case and see if it would function, Prevously it would not.

It did so it was probably my sloppy action that caused the problem not the collet die. I will be trying the collet die again on my next trip to the range.

fast*eddie · « **Reply #10 on:** February 27, 2005, 03:04:33 PM »

I have a set of the 223 Lee deluxe rifle Dies that I have been using for over 4 years. I have reloaded close to 1000 223 rounds with the collet die with no problem whatsoever. I also have Lee collet dies for my 7-30 waters that work great and just bought a set of the Deluxe Rifle dies for the 25-06. :grin: