[Caleb C]

I just got back on the AR scene and I'm looking to do a little quality yet economical loading. I've never loaded for 223 and I'm just curious what you guys are using. This will be for a 16 inch barrel with a 1:9 twist. I'm probably beating a dead horse but any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, guys.

 

[SubGunFan]

Although I haven't loaded any 223 in a long time.... my loads are in the 25gr range of AA 2230 with 55gr FMJ, and in the 24.5gr range of AA 2230 with 62gr FMJ. These are plinking/blasting loads, not saying they are super accurate.

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[DieselDoc]

I use 21.0 of IMR-4198 or 24.0 of 3031 with a 55 grain fmj out of my ARs depending on which I have the most of at the time as they both work well for me. I use other powders and heavier bullets for my bolt guns since I can seat them longer. To play and spray the IMRs work great and I use bulk fmj projectiles to keep the cost down. I use CCI standard primers and take care in case prep, swaging pockets, cleaning and making certain to trim them all. I have an outlet from time to time for once fired mil brass and it is always long so I trim it all so they go battery smooth

 

[jbpmidas]

23.0 grains of H335 under a 69 grain Nosler CCHP.

 

[Doug Bowser]

Blackhills NM case
68 gr Hornady Match bullet
24 gr IMR4895
CCI small rifle primer

Also the same load with the 80 gr Sierra Matchking or Hornady 75 gr Match bullet.
My Ar15 has a Wilson Match barrel with a Wylde Chamber. This has a throat somewhere between a NATO and .223. You have to fit the overall length of the heavy bullets to the individual rifle.

Doug

 

[nonnieselman]

I usually load 24gr h335, 55gr fmj for blasting bullets. But my good loads are with varget and h322.
My stevens bolt 223 loves the 69gr ppu match that widener sells, 24.5gr h322, cci450 in LC brass. Its a hot round that flatens the primers but it shoots good and flat. Armadillos hate it thats for sure. They are seated out long but still fit in the mag. 3080fps out of the stevens, 2850 out of my 16" ar.
I have a bunch of diff loads written down but my dpms Ar 16" heavy barrel did its best at .25" groups with varget, cci400, LC brass, 55gr vmax.

 

[Caleb C]

0.25 inch group from an AR with a 16" barrel? That's good shootin'.

Have yall tried the Ramshot Xterminator powder? I understand that it's a small granule powder that meters well. I'd like to use something with small granules because I'd hate to measure everything by hand. That could take a while when you're trying to build up a big ammo stash. How's the Varget and H335? Pretty consistent in an old school RCBS powder thrower?

 

[SubGunFan]

AA 2230 is a ball powder that meters well. Are you wanting plinking ammo or match ammo.....? Throw plinking ammo and weigh match ammo.

Your RCBS powder measure...... is it a Uniflow or Little Dandy...?


.

 

[Caleb C]

I think it's a uniflow. I'd like to use the same powder for plinking and hunting ammo. I'm thinking of using Barnes triple shocks and picking my shot very carefully on deer. I'd like my plinking ammo to have similar trejectories as the hunting ammo inside of 200 yards. The weight of the bullets is still negotiable but I'd prefer to keep them between 55 and 65 grains. This may be a tall order to fill

 

[SubGunFan]

Good.... the Uniflow is MUCH better than the Lil Dandy.

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[captain-03]

55gr FMJ 24.5gr Varget
60gr Hornady V-Max 26.0gr Varget
60gr Nosler Partition 27.0gr Varget
55gr Nosler Ballistic Tip 25.0gr Varget
69gr Sierra HPBT-Match 26.0gr Varget

As you can see, I like Varget in my .223s -- when Varget is running low, I go to IMR 4895 (Different data of course!!).

 

[rdinak]

I have enjoyed excellent results using ramshot tac, and hornady 55 sp bullets, wolf primers,

 

[gmg]

24.5 gr H335.

 

[Caleb C]

I've decided to go with Ramshot Xtermimator and Barnes TSX 55 gr bullets. I'll be working up a deer load with this combination. I chose the 55 gr in order to closely match the trajectories of hunting ammo and high volume ammo. I'll keep y'all updated on the results. Come November we will find out if these TSX bullets are worth the price

 

[jbpmidas]

Looking forward to updates!

 

[nonnieselman]

I have found that the good ole 55gr fmj does good on deer. Just gotta hit them in the right spot. Ive used 55gr and 60gr soft points, 55 and 60gr vmax, 55 and 62gr fmj, 55 and 64gr tracers, and 69gr otm, 77gr ncc . They all put the deer down.
If we get the permit this year on the farm ill have a report on which does the worst damage. I have a bunch of diff kinds of bullets i can try.

 

[crazyace85]

Just give me a call. Haha I bet the 1919 would be interesting doing pest control.

 

[Tyrone]

55gr cheap Midsouth varmit express bullets, 22.2gr H322, CCI primer. Not a hot load, but clean and fun.

 

[Guest]

22.4 grains H335 pushing Nosler 69 grain Custom Competetion bullet, Remington BR primer, and Lake City brass. Very accurate in a 1-7" twist barrel. 24.4 grains H335 pudhing a Sierra 55 grain HPBT bullet, also very accurate in 1-7" twist barrel.

 

[jsthntn247]

Just got a 223 myself. I started to load some up for barrel break in. 69gr SMK with 24 and 25 grains of Varget and 2.260 OAL. Are most of yall running longer OAL's?