55 gr Bal Tip .223 - need a load

[JiminCA]

Hi Guys,

Thought you could save me some development time and direct me to a good starting load. I "need" to eradicate ground squirrels out to 250 yds or so.

I have a Cooper mod 21 (single shot) in .223 and a box of 55 gr Ballistic tip spitzers. Twist is 1 in 14. Have some Fed brass that has been fired through the gun.

I have AA2215, 2230, H335, H322, IMR 4350 and 4064, and W748 in the cabinet. If you have already developed a load for this bullet that shoots good in the Cooper or other similar twist rate barrel, I'd be very grateful if you'd share it.

Comments on OAL, crimp or lack thereof, brass prep and brand, etc would also be appreciated.

Doesn't have to use one of the powders I already have but that would be nice. All I need is yet another powder in the cabinet. :?

Thanks, Jim

 

[YoteSmoker]

40-50 grainers will work better in you twist I think. H335, H380, Varget, H4895, W748 are good powders for 223. IMR 4350 is too slow burning. IMR 3031 might work too.

 

[2ndtimer]

Yotesmoker makes a good point. Your 1 in 14" twist rate may not be enough to stabilize the long 55 gr Ballistic Tips at the velocities your .223 is capable of. Won't hurt to try, but don't say you weren't warned! The only powder you list that wouldn't be appropriate for the .223 would be the IMR-4350. All the others should work fine in the .223. I would try them in this order:
Accurate 2105
H-335
Accurate 2230
W748 and
H-322
The H-322 might be better with the 40 and 50 gr bullets. Accurate 2015 has worked well for me with all bullet weights. I am surprised it isn't suggested more often. With your 55 gr bullets, you should probably start at 23 gr or so and work up to 25 gr, checking for high pressure signs. I never use a crimp on bolt actions, and I loaded mine to an OAL of 2.26".
Most people suggest H-335 as the "end all" powder for the .223, but I seemed to get better accuracy and velocity with the 2015. Nosler's manual seem to suggest W-748 as an accurate powder, it could be the best choice for 55 gr bullets. My chosen load was 25.0 gr of Accurate 2015 with a Nosler 50 gr Ballistic Tip with RP 7½ primers or CCI BR-4. I also had pretty good luck with Accurate 2460 and CCI-450 primers with 50 and 55 gr bullets.
Let us know how it works out!