Author Topic: 223 loads (Read 531 times)

Jim n Iowa · « **on:** May 09, 2006, 12:55:08 PM »

I am getting ready to find a accurate load for my 223, it shoots -1.5" at 100, but should do better. Its a Savage 10 tact model, 1:9 twist. I recently fire lapped it, before it had 300-500 rds down the tube. I selected the Hornady 60 gr hp, and the Sierra 60 gr hp. I plan on using 4 powders, with the same load with each name bullet. The powders are IMR-3031,Benchmark,X-terminator, and 748. The loads range from low of pub to next to max. Speer man. shows 748 with a mag primer, is this true of 748 in most case's? Input is welcomed.
Jim

Questor · « **Reply #1 on:** May 09, 2006, 02:52:18 PM »

Try some lighter bullets just to see if the group size goes down. (Humor me, I know you want to use it with 60 grainers.) Speer doesn't make primer recommendations casually, so it's best to go with their recommendation. You're doing everything right as far as I can tell, and I agree that you should be getting better groups. Are they spread horizontally by any chance? If so, it could be that the rest for the foreend of the rifle doesn't fit you well and it's allowing the rifle to wag from side to side.

james · « **Reply #2 on:** May 10, 2006, 02:42:20 AM »

My Rem .223s have 1 in 12 barrels but I have had good results with max loads of AA 2230 and cheap 55 gr Rem soft points. Velocity spread was less than 10 fps and groups were about .75. I got half inch groups with IMR 4198 and Varget with Speer 52 gr. hp. You should be on the right track with 60 grainers and a 1 in 9 twist so it could be be something other than the ammo. Hope you find the problem.
james

243tom · « **Reply #3 on:** May 10, 2006, 01:23:59 PM »

Jim,,,,,, I shoot the same rifle,,and I love it. I've used H4895, IMR3031,Varget and Benchmark, but I stay with mostly 50 grainers and have achieved great groups with all the powder mentioned. It seems to like 25 grains(plus or minus.5) of anything and Vmaxes...40's or 50's. I don't care so much about velocity as long as the groups are tight.
I'm leaning towards the Varget and Benchmark for my favorites to stick with.......tight groups,, but mostly because they meter well out of my old Lyman 55 measure. But the 3031 gave great results also,,just doesn't meter well.
Hope that helps,,at least maybe on a powder decision.

Jim n Iowa · « **Reply #4 on:** May 10, 2006, 02:15:58 PM »

Thanks for the replies. I have bullets for 223 from 45 to 69, and I just hopped around loading this and that. So after fire lapping I decided to use the longer bullet to see if I could get it close. I was anal about being off the lands until I tried some 100 gr for my 7mm mag at .26" away off the lands and got .75" at 100 for 5 rd. Go figure!!. I should start at the 45 gr and work up. The problem could be me in my advanced age, did I mention my tri-focals?
Jim