Author Topic: .223 loads (Read 1836 times)

6mmruger · « **on:** April 20, 2006, 02:19:03 PM »

I picked up a 1-9" .223 a while back and was working up some loads for it and can't get under 2.5 groups with 55gr PSP. The trigger has been worked the forarm floated and the o-ring put in. Anyone has any good loads with these or anyother suggestions they would be appericated.

myarmor · « **Reply #1 on:** April 20, 2006, 02:33:30 PM »

Welcome to the forum :toast:
How many rounds have you put through it?
Have you polished the bore yet?
Mine is the 1-12, but took several rounds though it before it settled down. Now it shoots 1/2 or under, consistantly with what it likes. Hard to think a $250 rifle could do that huh

I love it!

-Aaron

sealer · « **Reply #2 on:** April 20, 2006, 04:43:25 PM »

mine done the same thing.i finally had to switch to hornady 50 gr. v-maxes. mine likes 28 gr. of aa-2230 and a cci small rifle magnum primer. this load seems to be a contradiction in terms,but it works. btw, my ultra is the 1:9 twist.
good luck,dennis

Dillohide · « **Reply #3 on:** April 20, 2006, 06:14:57 PM »

Have had good accuracy with the 55 gr Hornady SP over 23 grains of H322, CCI 400 primer, Remington brass. Mine is a 1-12 twist bull barrel.

sbhooper · « **Reply #4 on:** April 21, 2006, 08:14:44 AM »

My gun has done the same as yours-if not worse. After many hundreds of rounds, floating the barrel, returning the rifle to the factory to be checked, and much load tinkering, I have found that the only load that it shoots real consistently with good velocity is a 50 grain Hornady Spire Point with 27.5 grains of varget powder. It shoots real well if I do my part and I get 3200 fps. H322 and BLC2 were both consistent shooters, also, but the velocity was only around 2900 fps. I don't know why this is, but at some point I will play some more with those powders and 55 grainers to see what happens. I think that about any 50-55 grain flat based bullets will shoot in mine, but I have settled on Hornady.

Dillohide · « **Reply #5 on:** April 21, 2006, 09:13:43 AM »

sbhooper, I'm going to try your load with 50 grain Hornady SP as soon as I shoot up these 55 grainers eventhough the 23 gr H322 load is very accurate. I'd like to use Varget but couldn't get the consistancy with the 55gr bullet, same with BL-C2 unless I made the load hot then every other round stuck in the chamber and that's no good.

sbhooper · « **Reply #6 on:** April 21, 2006, 10:31:57 AM »

I forgot to mention that mine is a 1/12, but the rifles seem to have the same types of problems no matter what the twist. When I tried BLC2, I never had sticky problems even with hot loads, but I could never get the velocity much over 2900 fps which is unacceptable to me. It shot very good groups, however. H322 had potential also, but again there was poor velocity. It does not make sense that the velocity is lower with either powder as they are both quicker powders than varget and in a short barrel you would think that they would produce better velocities than varget. I got great groups with BLC2 and 55 grain sierra spitzers, but no velocity. There definitely seems to be a sweet spot with my barrel and I have never seen another rifle like it. It is great fun to shoot and test, but I'll never own another. I tried all kinds of stuff to get it to shoot 40 grainers and that was a complete waste of time and bullets. Interesting to say the least!

Dillohide · « **Reply #7 on:** April 22, 2006, 02:38:41 AM »

You know, those of us talking about this all seem to have the Ultra bull barrel, mine's the H&R special edition but same barrel. I'm wondering if it's something about that barrel in .223. One of the guys at my rifle range has the regular barrel, has done nothing special to it and it shoots nice groups no matter what he puts through it. I've found a load that is accurate and will do what I want but this is interesting. Guess I'd feel better knowing I could pick up a box of Remington 55 gr SP for example and shoot better. Those in my rifle shoot about the same group my 30-30 carbine does at 100 yards ... good for the 30-30 but not the .223.

Buckeyeppc · « **Reply #8 on:** April 24, 2006, 08:17:22 AM »

My .223 bull barrel loves 26 gr. AA2230 and 50 gr Berger MEFs. Actually loves any Berger from 30 gr. to 50 gr. Really likes 50 gr. Nosler BT, and likes a lot 50 gr Sierra Blitzkings. I bought a couple hundred boxes of Sierra's from Midway's bulk bullet area when they were just under $7 dealer price. Next comes the Winchester White Box 45 gr.

Dillohide · « **Reply #9 on:** April 24, 2006, 09:45:01 AM »

Have not tried AA2230. Kind of lost patience with it but I've been concentrating on 55 gr bullets which may be the problem. It shoots the 45 gr Winchesters ok. I picked up a box of UMC Remington 50 gr JHP's today, just to try out. They were less than the Winchester White box 45 gr at Walmart.

Ditchdigger · « **Reply #10 on:** April 24, 2006, 11:47:02 AM »

Mine will only shoot the 40 gr.moly Vmax's with 26.5 grs. of H 335 with the barrel floated with bussines cards,and a bipod. If I change anything at all it go's from.6" to 1.5". It takes about 15 or 20 rds. before the moly starts making it shoot. Digger

lik2hunt · « **Reply #11 on:** April 24, 2006, 01:03:32 PM »

I think it's important to note that this is a 1:9 barrel, one of the new barrels from H&R for the .223. They are not all that tested and tried as are the 1:12 barrels. In fact, if I'm not mistaken, this is the first thread about someone working up a load for one.
I would suggest going to a fairly larger bullet at a max load, say a 63-65 grain bullet and see what happens then. If it shoots then you can work the bullet weight down from there. Might even go to a 75 grainer and back the weight off from there.
Just an ole Okie's :money:.

6mmruger · « **Reply #12 on:** April 25, 2006, 11:52:14 AM »

i have used max abpout max loads of Varget, 3031 2015 and 2230. hte 2230 seemed to be about the best but it was cratoring the primers pretty good. I think it could get better if i went up about another grain (pushin it). The 3031 was not bad but could not get anymore in the case. Has anyone used ramshot?

Dean van Praotl · « **Reply #13 on:** April 29, 2006, 12:17:15 PM »

Just to add to the confusion here -- I haven't found the magic reload for my .223 UV yet, but the other day I got a 1.98" group at TWO hundred yards, using Black Hills 40gr. Nosler ballistic tips. My barrel seems to like those better than anything else I've tried so far.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #14 on:** April 29, 2006, 12:58:48 PM »

Mine shoots the Ultramax reman 40gr Nosler BT almost as good as the 45gr Win whitebox, but the WWB cost a lot less, $13 compared to $19 for the Ultramax.

Tim

sbhooper · « **Reply #15 on:** April 30, 2006, 06:32:47 AM »

I have not shot the Ramshot powders, but I know a guy who does and he thinks they are great. It may be worth a try.

6mmruger · « **Reply #16 on:** May 08, 2006, 12:01:32 PM »

Decided to try some WW45gr JHP in my 1-9" .223. Results not what was expected. One group had 2 shots in same hole plus 2 mor in same hole .75 apart ( inch low and 2 in to left of target) and one flyer right in middle of target. Much better than expected. Loaded up some 64gr SP the other day with 335 and 748 and nothing was under 3in. groups. any answers to this?

DanielWGriggs · « **Reply #17 on:** May 08, 2006, 03:41:28 PM »

I haven't seen anyone ask if you are shooting fast or slow. Heat build up is / has been a problem in the past. Scope parallax/tightness of screws and mounts. Scope known good? Are you resting at the hinge or at the forearm? These rifles can get real picky. That Ol Okie might be on the right track with the heavier pill.

6mmruger · « **Reply #18 on:** May 08, 2006, 05:37:23 PM »

I usually shot 5 shots then let it cool. i have rested on the hinge and on the forearm. i have also used different torques on the forearm screw. I just find it wierd that it shot the 45gr better thatn the 64gr being a 1-9" twist. Guess I will try loading some lighter bullets and see if it will shoot good with teh reloads.

DanielWGriggs · « **Reply #19 on:** May 09, 2006, 01:26:41 AM »

Try shooting 1 shot cool for 5 minutes then repeat 4 more times. Rest should be consistant also most use the hinge method for a free floated barrel. Have you run a business card under the forarm up to the screw? Have you added a pressuer pad at the front of the forearm?

6mmruger · « **Reply #20 on:** May 09, 2006, 05:10:27 AM »

I guess I don't know what you mean with the pressure pad. Is that where you put proload pressure on the barrel?

This it the 5 shot group with WWB 45gr JHP

[/img]

This is the average group with the 64 gr BTSP

Center Shot · « **Reply #21 on:** May 09, 2006, 07:38:53 AM »

I have been working with a 1-9 twist barrel in a rack grade AR and was able to get good results with H335 and 52 gr Sierra.

DanielWGriggs · « **Reply #22 on:** May 09, 2006, 02:19:00 PM »

You are correct sir. I use a felt disk like the ones used to keep cabinet doors from bumping, or you could even use the rubber ones, a piece of rubber or a double thickness of business card.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #23 on:** May 09, 2006, 03:19:53 PM »

Refrigerator magnet material works too!! :wink:

Tim

sbhooper · « **Reply #24 on:** May 11, 2006, 03:13:59 AM »

All the problems that you are having are exactly what I have gone through with my 1/12 barrel. Welcome to shooting a Handi Rifle! Just keep experimenting and you will probably work out the problem. I have tried all kinds of things-changing screw torque, total free-floating, returning the gun to the company to be checked, and hundreds of different loads. Be sure that you rest the gun on the hinge and not the forearm when shooting at the range and pay very close attention to trigger squeeze and follow through. These are the most finicky guns that I have ever dealt with. Have fun!