Reloading AE223

[ROVERT]

When I first got my .223, I purchased some Federal Premium 55 gr. NBT ammo and some AE223. The Federal Premium shot better than I could have hoped for and the AE shot worse than I would have imagined. I had some 50 SBK's on had so I did some work with those, but never got the accuracy I was looking for. Since I knew the Federal loads shot really well, I decided to use the components available from that load. I got where I wanted to be with a 55 gr. NBT, 25.5 gr VARGET and a Fed. Premium Primer.

I was in need of some more brass and couldn't find any FC brass locally. I'm sure Win. brass would be fine, but why mess with a combination that I know works? One hundred rounds of AE223 ammo was only $6 more than 100 pieces of brass, so I got the bullet puller out.

I then loaded up my regular load in the cases with the exception of the primer. I shot ten of Sat. morning and they shot pretty well. Not quite a good as partial full length resized case and match primers, but definitely acceptable. Two were used for the two "One and Done" targets and the other eight shot these two groups:

So it was a little extra work, but better results than I was expecting on the first firing. Also, if someone is interested in getting some 55 gr. FMJ's very cheaply, let me know.

 

[FOTIS]

Not too bad! Coyotes beware. :twisted:

 

[DrMike]

It is gratifying when loads come together.

 

[ROVERT]

Coyotes beware.

There aren't too many around here yet. I shot the only one I ever saw around here while deer hunting a few years ago. I need to get a caller set up and see what I can find this winter. We have a pretty good supply of red foxes.

It is gratifying when loads come together.

That it is. Here is what the rifle is capable of with a light bump of the shoulder and Fed. Premium primers:

 

[DrMike]

Not bad at all. Coyotes beware is an appropriate admonition.

 

[Antelope_Sniper]

That's some fine shooting.
What rifle are you shooting them out of?

 

[SJB358]

Excellent shooting. That is a shooter, for sure! Scotty

 

[ROVERT]

That's some fine shooting.
What rifle are you shooting them out of?

Thanks, it's a Savage 12 in a Choate Ultimate Varminter stock. For some reason it has a 20 inch barrel.

Excellent shooting. That is a shooter, for sure! Scotty

Thanks, Scotty, I imagine you've seen some of those targets before. Now if I could just get all of my rifles to shoot like that.

 

[SJB358]

That is almost part of the fun in it for me. I love to work and find good loads for my rifles that do exactly what I want. So far, other than a 25-06, I have been pretty lucky! Scotty

 

[ROVERT]

Shot my personal best 200 yd target this morning:

This was with once fired AE223 brass partial full length resized and a Fed. Premium primer.

 

[DrMike]

That is a great group. Congratulations, Rovert.

 

[ROVERT]

Thanks, Dr. Mike.