223AI loads (75gr Amax and 65gr Gamekings)

[ACLakey]

I finally have my 1:9 twist .223AI back together and am looking at working up some loads with 75gr Amax and 65gr Gamekings. I have the following powders on hand H335, Varget, H4895, TAC, RL15, RL17 I hear good things about RL15 and the 75gr Amax, just looking for a good starting point. Thanks.

 

[1Shot]

You may have trouble getting the 75 Amax to shoot in your 9 twist. Varget is a pretty good powder.

 

[ACLakey]

Here are the results of the first round of loads. I did not have any pressure signs with any of these and will do a little adjusting before next time.

Temp 38-43 rain light to heavy

It seemed like Varget was the better powder today but I have more work to do.

 

[DrMike]

There are some truly fine loads shown here. Indeed, Varget appears to be the powder of choice, although you can't dismiss the data generated with the RL15. There is a suggestion that your rifle likes a moderate velocity with the A-Max especially. It must be a pleasure to shoot this rifle.

 

[ACLakey]

It is a great shooter, I am very pleased for a first attempt. I am excited to adjust loads and start messing with the seating depth to see where it falls. From other sites, they are telling me that the Varget and 75gr Amax load is pretty low but I need to bump all of them up and see what happens. Thanks for the input.

 

[JD338]

ACLakey

Looks like the 75 gr AMAX with Varget is the combo to tweak.
Nice shooting.

JD338

 

[ACLakey]

Well, I made it back to the range today and despite the cold and heavy snow I am pleased with the results. Lots of guys were reccomending 26.2 of RL15 with the 75gr Amax.....It seems I found my load.

The crono in the snow was a no go so I will have to get some more data next trip.

 

[DrMike]

Accuracy wise, you are there. Those are bragging loads.

 

[Hammerdown]

223AI 75 grain A-Max, 26 grs. 335 = 3100 fps

 

[ACLakey]

Thanks for the load. I am going to try 335 and 40's in this barrel soon. I may have to mess with the heavier bullets as well.

The 65gr Gameking performed as expected this weekend. A quarter sized exit as I have seen with the 55gr version in the past out of both my 22-250 and standard 223.

250yd

 

[ACLakey]

I finally had good enough weather to make it back for a range day. I ran some loads with H335 and the 75gr Amax and am pleased with the results.

30F cloudy, still.
223AI Savage
H335
75gr Amax 2.455 (.005 off lands)

Target number 2 was a five shot group, three looked good so I pressed my luck and it turned out ok. 26gr is too hot and the bolt lift was a little sticky. I had similar results with RL15 so I am going to run both over the chrono when it gets here to see which load gives better velocity.

 

[ACLakey]

I ran several loads over the chrono with 10 shot strings this weekend, even with the -2F weather I have some decent data.

22" 1:9 Stock Savage barrel rechambered.
COL wih 75gr Amax 2.460"
CCI 450 primers
Win or WCC case (neck sized)

26.2gr RL15
Vel = 3000 average
SD = 27.67
ES = 71
.75" 10 shot group

26.4gr RL15
Vel = 3025 ave
SD = 14.2
ES = 33
Gave the best velocity an the most consistant 10 shot group. 7 shots in a ragged hole and three fliers about 1/2" off, could have been me and the numb fingers from the cold. I am going to use this load for my long range experimentation and recheck this summer.

25.2gr H335
Vel = 2950 ave
SD = 47.15
ES = 128
This was a very accurate group during load development. With the cold -2F temperatures it was all over the place.

25.4gr H335
Vel = 2995 ave
SD = 26.44
ES = 60
Shot well, 6 in a ragged hole and 4 within a .65" circle.

I am going to do this same text in the summer but I think the 26.4gr of RL15 is going to be the ticket.

 

[JD338]

Nicely done, Congratulations! You are there. :grin:

JD338

 

[DrMike]

Good job! That load will do.