.223 REM / Tikka T3 reloading

[tikkat3]

I am new to reloading and also to this forum. The number of possible reloading combinations is vast! Does anybody have some good suggestions for an ideal powder for loading into .223REM. The bullet/rifle details are below - I am sure they will have some bearing on what is the ideal powder:

Rifle: Tikka T3 Lite.
Twist rate: 1-8"

Round
Bullet: either Hornady 55gr V-Max or a 55gr SP
Brass: Lapua
Primers: CCI 400 small rifle

If anyone out there has a T3 and reloads I would love to hear your suggestions and more importantly, what does and does not work in this rifle!

 

[bigger jon]

?

I`ve been using h335 latly so far so good, It`s been shooting better than Varget.also for non BR shooting I use BLC2

 

[tikkat3]

Thanks Bigger Jon. I should have also mentioned that the rounds are used against foxes in the UK - no BR, only large vermin control.

 

[Bottom Gun]

My favorite varmint load for .223 is a 52 gr Sierra HPBT (#1410) with IMR 4198 powder. It will shoot sub MOA and is positively devastating to varmints.

I have also had good luck with H335 for 64 gr Win Power Points.

 

[Ol` Joe]

I use Varget or W748 in mine.

 

[270Win]

My Remington VLS in .223 loves H4895, and 52/53 grain bullets.

 

[GooseGestapo]

Some .223's shoot better with 21.5gr of IMR4198. (In this instance, do NOT subsititute H4198). This is near a book listed max(21.6 usually, but I've seen as high as 22.0gr listed as max), so work up; but all the .223's I've shot it in digested it well. 22.5gr WILL show pressure signs however, and, accuracy has always been best at 21.0-21.6gr.

Also, I've seen several .223's shoot extreamly well with 26.9gr of BL-C2 under the 55gr bullets. This will give ~3,250fps from 22-24" bbl. Ditto, the very similar Win748. This is somewhat lighter than the max listed load of 27.5-28.0grs and more accurate. Accuracy and velocity drops off rapidly below 26.0gr, so I would start at 26.0, then 26.5, and 269-27.0. (My progressive press powder cavity drops 26.9; the reason for the "odd" size charge)
Do NOT use magnum primers as some manuals suggest with this powder/charge. A Federal 205M has been the best in my experience, though seldom much different than the regular #205 unless in a BenchRest match level gun.

I've also seen good results with IMR4064, H335, and H322.

I loaded a lot of .223 on a progressive press for myself and a friend in the mid-late '90's and used BL-C2. His 14.5lb "HEAVY"! AR15 would shoot in the high ".3's" with this and Nosler 55gr Bal.Tips.

 

[mc223]

Try some 60g V-Max bullets over 26g Varget.

 

[tikkat3]

Thanks for all the advice. It seems from this and otehr forums that the Hodgson powders (BL-C2, H322, H335) seem to be the ones most recommended in general. I think I am going to have to have a play around with them to try and find the best results for me.