Loading for 223

[ScreaminEagle]

What do you guys think is a good bullet/powder combo to start with. I loading for my step-dad's single shot H&R varmint rifle. I have tons of brass, IMR powders and some hodgdon including H380, Varget, and H414. What do you guys thinks. The farthest he will probably shoot is 300 yards.

 

[rjm158]

I've always had very good luck with the Sierra 52 or 53 gr. Matchkings in any bolt or auto I've used. Some Hodgdon Varget or Benchmark would be two good powders and I think both use about 23-25 gr charges (verify this of course).

Ron

 

[SJB358]

What do you guys think is a good bullet/powder combo to start with. I loading for my step-dad's single shot H&R varmint rifle. I have tons of brass, IMR powders and some hodgdon including H380, Varget, and H414. What do you guys thinks. The farthest he will probably shoot is 300 yards.

IMR4895 would be a decent one I would think, if you have it. Scotty

 

[ScreaminEagle]

I have some 55gr V-max and sierra 52gr HPBT on stock.
Also I have IMR 3031, 4320, 4350, 4064, and a few others that I can't remember.

 

[SJB358]

Check out Hodgdon's data SE. Should give you a good lead to what powders you have that will work for the speeds you are looking for. Scotty

 

[ScreaminEagle]

I just wanted to see what everyone else had luck with. To be honest I hate the caliber, probably from having to use it in the military. I'm only loading it because my stepdad wants me to.

 

[257 Ackley]

One of my buddys loads for a 223 using 50 grain BT's and VV133. His results are outstanding. I'm with you on staying away from that caliber personally, never wanted to see another black rifle when I got out.

 

[Mountain Goat]

Hard to find a bad combo for the 223 since most .224" cartridges aren't too fussy. I'm loading Benchmark and the 50gr Hornady V-Max for 3 different Vanguards, and all 3 shoot well under MOA. My rifle shoots the 53gr just a little bit better, but it sure is nice being able to bulk load and share ammo on the squirrel popping sessions.

Talking with some 223 shooters in my area it seems that TAC, Benchmark and Varget are the most common powders used.

 

[BK]

I've mostly loaded BL-C2 and H335 behind plastic tipped 55 grainers.

 

[Desert Fox]

BLC-2 or H335 and 55 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip works for me. I use my powder dispenser for my 223 loading, so I use ball powder.

 

[BK]

Exactly. I can't imagine weighing the number of charges I'd have to when I load .223. I bought some Ramshot TAC because it is supposed to meter well (and also supposedly has an additive to help reduce copper fouling).

 

[SJB358]

I am not a fan of the little 223! Just too small for my fingers in and out of my COAX! I do load for my buddies AR, but they are just coyote/Varmint loads so it is not a volume deal. I much prefer loading the 22-250 over the 223.

Plus, like you others, I see enough 5.56 at work and really don't have too much interest in dealing with them in the off time. Scotty

 

[Ridge_Runner]

always had good results with IMR 3031, H335, and varget in 223 with 55 gr bullets
RR

 

[Hegland]

SE -

Varget and Benchmark both work well. Also, IMR8208 is great with 50 and 55 grainers, and this summer I'm trying some of the 40 gr lead-free jobs. Anxious to see what they do to a prairie dog... preliminary results on songbirds have been fantastic. :grin: