223 Rem, 65g SGK, Ruger American Compact

[bobnob]

Gday folks, have a new RAR Compact with the 18" bbl on the way. Plan on using it for foxes, small deer and pigs and general varmints from the vehicle.

Have some 65g Sierra Gamekings to try. Powder I was planning on using is mainly H4895, but have H322 and Varget if that doesn't work.

Any experience with the 65 SGK in the 223 on game. What sort of speeds could I safely expect in the 18" bbl?

Any other suggestions?

Thanks.

- Bob

 

[hunting1]

Never chronied mine but if memory serves I am loading 25 grs of Varget. Little clusters with my RAR. Prarie dog is the only victim so far and you can guess how it ended.

 

[bobnob]

Thanks H1.

Anyone shot one of these short bbl Compacts?

I am probably a week or two away from taking delivery but there'll be a range report soon after.

I'm hoping 3000fps isn't too far out of reach with the short barrel.

 

[SJB358]

I tried the 65 SGK's Bob in mine early on. It didn't do much with them with H4895, but too be totally honest I really didn't spend a whole lot of time on them. H4895 and 77 grain Sierra's worked excellent, but I can't tell you speeds yet, as I haven't chronoed them. Just been shooting them. I like that one alot.

This is what I got with the 65's... (I write 60 and meant 65)





Then this is what I got with the 77's..





So after seeing what the 77's did, I just sorta stuck with em...

 

[1Shot]

With 65 gr bullets Varget will be the best of what you have. I hope that your rifle has at least a 9" twist rifling or it will not stabilize those 65's. You should be able to get between 2800 and 2900 fps. I am shooting 69 Sierra Match Kings out of my 20" AR with 25.3 grs Varget and getting 2750 fps average but I could get 100 fps more easy but this load is more accurate. By the way this load makes a mess out of a ground hog at 150 or so yards.

 

[SJB358]

The RAR's are an 8 twist 1Shot. They are cool little truck guns..

The Compacts are even handier...

 

[bobnob]

Thanks Fellas,

Hey Scotty you able to have a look on QL re the H4895 / 65 SGK / 18" combo?

I don't have a Sierra manual and Hodgdon don't list a 65g on their data (nor an 18" bbl)?

Thanks in advance if you're able to. No sweat if not because I'll post my handload and chrony results up when I reach them.

 

[DrMike]

Cartridge          : .223 Rem. (SAAMI)
Bullet             : .224, 65, Sierra SPBT 1395
Useable Case Capaci: 25.566 grain H2O = 1.660 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.260 inch = 57.40 mm
Barrel Length      : 18.0 inch = 457.2 mm
Powder             : Hodgdon H4895

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step    Fill. Charge   Vel.  Energy   Pmax   Pmuz  Prop.Burnt B_Time
 %       %    Grains   fps   ft.lbs    psi    psi      %        ms

-20.0   82    19.36   2273     746   28286   7544     82.2    1.193
-18.0   84    19.84   2331     784   30210   7815     83.6    1.162
-16.0   86    20.33   2389     824   32258   8082     85.0    1.131
-14.0   88    20.81   2448     865   34421   8345     86.4    1.101
-12.0   90    21.30   2506     907   36714   8603     87.7    1.071
-10.0   92    21.78   2565     950   39164   8854     88.9    1.039
-08.0   94    22.26   2625     994   41783   9099     90.1    1.008
-06.0   97    22.75   2684    1040   44582   9336     91.3    0.978
-04.0   99    23.23   2744    1086   47577   9564     92.4    0.949  ! Near Maximum !
-02.0  101    23.72   2803    1134   50782   9783     93.4    0.921  ! Near Maximum !
+00.0  103    24.20   2863    1183   54215   9991     94.3    0.894  ! Near Maximum !
+02.0  105    24.68   2923    1233   57894  10187     95.2    0.868  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0  107    25.17   2983    1284   61842  10371     96.0    0.843  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.0  109    25.65   3042    1336   66083  10542     96.8    0.819  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0  111    26.14   3102    1389   70644  10699     97.5    0.795  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0  113    26.62   3162    1443   75555  10841     98.1    0.772  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba    103    24.20   3019    1315   64864  10153     98.8    0.827  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba    103    24.20   2667    1027   44013   9386     86.4    0.982

 

[bobnob]

Cartridge          : .223 Rem. (SAAMI)
Bullet             : .224, 65, Sierra SPBT 1395
Useable Case Capaci: 25.566 grain H2O = 1.660 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.260 inch = 57.40 mm
Barrel Length      : 18.0 inch = 457.2 mm
Powder             : Hodgdon H4895

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step    Fill. Charge   Vel.  Energy   Pmax   Pmuz  Prop.Burnt B_Time
 %       %    Grains   fps   ft.lbs    psi    psi      %        ms

-20.0   82    19.36   2273     746   28286   7544     82.2    1.193
-18.0   84    19.84   2331     784   30210   7815     83.6    1.162
-16.0   86    20.33   2389     824   32258   8082     85.0    1.131
-14.0   88    20.81   2448     865   34421   8345     86.4    1.101
-12.0   90    21.30   2506     907   36714   8603     87.7    1.071
-10.0   92    21.78   2565     950   39164   8854     88.9    1.039
-08.0   94    22.26   2625     994   41783   9099     90.1    1.008
-06.0   97    22.75   2684    1040   44582   9336     91.3    0.978
-04.0   99    23.23   2744    1086   47577   9564     92.4    0.949  ! Near Maximum !
-02.0  101    23.72   2803    1134   50782   9783     93.4    0.921  ! Near Maximum !
+00.0  103    24.20   2863    1183   54215   9991     94.3    0.894  ! Near Maximum !
+02.0  105    24.68   2923    1233   57894  10187     95.2    0.868  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0  107    25.17   2983    1284   61842  10371     96.0    0.843  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.0  109    25.65   3042    1336   66083  10542     96.8    0.819  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0  111    26.14   3102    1389   70644  10699     97.5    0.795  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0  113    26.62   3162    1443   75555  10841     98.1    0.772  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba    103    24.20   3019    1315   64864  10153     98.8    0.827  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba    103    24.20   2667    1027   44013   9386     86.4    0.982

Thanks Mike!

Looks as though 2900fps is a more likely target with that powder. I'll let you guys know how it goes.

 

[SJB358]

That's a good one. 2900 with that 65 should be excellent if think. Can't wait to see what you come up with.

 

[DrMike]

The projection indicates that the bullet is stepping right along. That's for sure.

 

[HTDUCK]

I load 65 gr SGKs for my 1/8 twist Tikka T3 on top of 25.5 grs BLC2.
Have some 5 shot groups at 200 yards that are under 3/4 of an inch IF I do my part.

Killed a doe with that rifle/load several years ago when my 264 malfunctioned on a hunting trip.
Shot her through the head with it at around 150 yards .
No clue as to velocity, never chronoed it.

 

[bobnob]

HTDuck,

That'll do it!

Thanks mate.

I'll try H4895 and if the accuracy isn't there Varget and H322 might get a run.

 

[baltz526]

I have a box of 65gr GK on the way from Midway. After reading very good reviews on its larger game performance. I expect 2900-2950fps with Varget or W748 out of a 22"