Fast 223 loads

[627PCFan]

Who is getting a high velocity with .223's and what powder are you using? Varget maxes out @ 28 grains in the cases (and that is vibrated to settle) and compressed on loading. I get great groups with H335 but am worried about stepping up above published loads because its ball powder.

I need more velocity The groundhogs do too

Nosler Brass
NBT 55 grains


Varget 28 grains 3100fps+-
H335 23 grains 2985 fps+-
CCI SR Mag

 

[loadedround]

A max load of 27.5 gr of Varget H380 will give you over 3300 fps but may not give you the accuracy you may want. Try H335, H4895 or BL-C(2) in less than max loads for accuracy. The fastest powder available for the 55 gr bullet is W-W 748 but is very siimlar to Varget in proformance. You will get over 3200 fps with these other powders but you can't push them too fast. If you need more fps drop down to a 45 gr bullet.

 

[Doug b]

TAC or Benchmark will get you up to 3,800 fps with the 36 gr. barnes varmint grenade. I haven't shot any yet in .223 as weather has me socked in, but I did get a few shot in .22-250 @ 4,300 fps and they shot as good as the nosler bt.

 

[rcmodel]

I need more velocity The groundhogs do too

Maybe you need a 22-250 or .220 Swift then.

rcmodel

 

[45crittergitter]

A max load of 27.5 gr of Varget H380 will give you over 3300 fps

I don't think there is such a powder as Varget H380.

 

[stubbicatt]

If you need more velocity, get a bigger gun. Period. Really. Don't blow yourself up.

I don't know how far you are shooting your rifle, but I've popped prairie dogs at 600 with the 223, and they fell over just as dead as those I shot up close. They didn't seem to notice any deficiencies in velocity at all. Perhaps choosing a different bullet for your application will get you what you seek.

I have found that the Vmax bullets by Hornady, while expensive, are the most accurate, and most reliably expanding or explosive when they hit prairie dogs.

If hold overs are a problem, there are other ways to address the problem with mil dots or other range finding aids and a properly cammed elevation turret for your rifle.

 

[Sommerled]

My pet load is 25.8gr of AA2230C,(thank goodness I bought 32 lbs of this surplus powder years ago but am almost out of it) with 50gr speer TNT HP for my varmint rifle. Average velocity is 3318 fps. Accuracy is respectable for the price.

 

[dcloco]

"Varget 28 grains 3100fps+-
H335 23 grains 2985 fps+-
CCI SR Mag"

There is something wrong with your load. 3100 fps with a 55 grain bullet??? Is this a 16" barrel?????

 

[Schleprok62]

I've used .22LR hp's on groundhogs...

 

[LeonCarr]

Go to a 40 grain bullet in the .223 for higher velocity and increased varmint blowup .

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

 

[627PCFan]

"There is something wrong with your load. 3100 fps with a 55 grain bullet??? Is this a 16" barrel?????"

24" barrel, 28 grains of varget is very compressed-

 

[BsChoy]

JR I think you should be getting like 3300 fps outta that load. My pet load with 60 vmaxes is 25.6 of H4895 (used to be 26.2 Varget) and a fed 205 at 3100fps out of a 22 inch barrel.

 

[hawkeye1]

Doug b what kind of velocity and accuracy do you get with the 36 grain varmint grenade? I have not tried those yet. I get great accuracy with Sierra 45 grain Varminter with 26 grains Hodgdon Benchmark. I have not run them over the chronograph yet, but will let you know. So far accuracy is great. I get honest to goodness 3/8 inch groups with my sporter weight Ruger 77 stainless bolt action rifle. BSA Platinum scope. Good looking and shoots great. What else could I want?..... except maybe a heavy barrel varmint rig to go with it. Hmmm, what caliber should I get next? I guess that is half the fun.

good shooting

 

[dodge]

I believe that there are such things as having a fast or slow barrel. You can use the same load in two different guns and get two different velocities. Out of my Remington VLS with it's 26" barrel I can get 3400 fps with this load 27 gr. W748, Hornady 50 gr V-Max, and CCI 400 primer. Shots under an inch all day long and probably would do better with a better operator behind the trigger.

 

[JFettig]

I just did some load development for my 16" AR today with 55gr v-max and H335, 2.225" OAL
24.5: 2600fps
(some stuff between)
26.5: 3030fps
27.0: 3150fps (too hot! .001 to .002" case head expansion)
Everything grouped well, around 1"

I'll do some further testing at a later date when it warms up a little bit so I can verify these results.

Jon

 

[Ridgerunner665]

Try Reloder 15...I got 2900fps with a 62 grain bullet from my AR with it...26 grains, OAL 2.26...but be careful and work your way up, this is a 5.56x45 load...your 223 chamber may not handle it.

 

[JFettig]

Just a quick update on these loads. My 26gr 55gr loads ran 65000psi out of a 5.56 conformal barrel. WAY TOO HOT!
These were developed when it was 30-40F out and pressure signs were not showing, but when it got 70-90 out they showed pressure signs.

Jon