Loading heavier bullets in .223

Status
Not open for further replies.
Walkalong

Walkalong

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Nov 20, 2006
Messages
78,322
Location
Alabama
I have loaded 40 to 60 Gr bullets in both .222 Mag and .223 over the years, but never had a barrel faster than 1 in 12 twist until I bought an AR with a 1 in 9 twist, and even then I did not try anything heavier than 60 Gr.

I just ordered a barrel for an AR with a 1 in 8 twist Wylde chamber and if I have read correctly, it looks like the 1 in 8 will stabilize up to the heavier 75 & 77 Gr stuff. I will be shooting some 50 & 55 Gr stuff, but also want to try the heavier bullets. I have a box of 69 Gr SMKs, and am willing to try other things as well.

I would appreciate folks thoughts and insight on what your favorite bullets and powders are, especially when using bullets heavier than 60 Gr.

Thanks, AC
 
I tried CFE 223, and it wasn't good at all. I am now trying Varget and expect great things. I would look into using Varget and TAC. Reloader 15 and H4895 I have been told work good as well if you can't find any Varget.
 
I forgot.

Of what might be suitable powders, I have a small amount of Varget & IMR 4895, a pound of LT32 and 8208, a couple pounds of TAC, RL15 & H335, as well as H322, 2230S, & N133 in quantity. Naturally I am willing to try others.
 
When I was shooting Service Rifle, I loaded 69 grain Sierra OTMs with Varget. Worked well but I am sure other powders will do fine as well.
 
You'll be good to go on 75/77gr HPBT's. I have a 1:9 that stabilizes them fine. A 1:8 will probably stabilize a 75gr amax; I know a 1:7 will (if you're into single loading an autoloader).

I didn't have any success with CFE either, but I rushed through it and will probably revisit it (have a couple #'s that I need to do something with).

8208 has been very good to me w/ both 75gr Hornady HPBT's and 77gr SMK's. Varget was good too, but I moved to 8208 because I wanted better metering to load progressive.

I've got some TAC and 77gr SMK's and Nosler HPBT's, but some home projects have kept me from working up a load.

If you want a good shooting expanding bullet, a stout charge of Varget with a Speer 70gr Semi-Spitzer is great. It's my "what are you doing in my house" load.
 
Winchester 64 grain Powerpoint with 25 grains of W 748= Tackdriver in my Savage model 11 1in 9 twist.Seat just off of rifling and enjoy.
 
Funny you should mention this, I was just on Hodgdon's site checking out my load data for 75 grain Hornady BT A-Maxs. I use to use them all the time in my bolt 223, but was going to try them in my AR. For best results I found that slower powders work the best with heavy for caliber bullets, H-4895 was and is my favorite for this weight bullet.

This was in a barrel with a 1:9 twist and shot like a laser to the target.

Don't know if this will work for you as well as it did for me.

Jim
 
AC,
I also know for sure a 1:9 twist barrel will stabilize a 75gr bullet because mine does it so I'm sure your 1:8 will too. I'm on the edge but you won't be.

As for powders, your available powders leave you plenty of options.
I'm sure H335, H322, TAC and AA2230S will all work very well as will LT32 according to Accutate and IMR 8208 XBR according to IMR. I use Varget for my target .223 ammo shot from a bolt action rifle and it is a very accurate powder but I have never used it for a semi-auto.

If I were building ammo for an AR, with the powders you have I would be using H335, AA2230 or TAC with TAC being my choice for the heavier bullets. I like the way ball powders meter especially when making a lot of ammo at once. LT32 is probably a good choice too but I have never tried it so I can't say first hand...
 
Jim, be careful with those A max bullets. The OAL needed for those according to my Hornady manual puts them longer than the mag length for an AR. They would be single shot only rounds.
 
I have a 1:8 twist with a Wylde chamber and have had great success with the 69 and 80grn SMK using RL15. The 80's can't be loaded to magazine length but work great out to 600 yrds if you single load. The 69's make it to 600 fine but anything over a 2 MPH wind makes it tough. I tried Varget but got consistently better groups and a little more velocity with the RL15.
 
I just looked at a box of 80 SMK's and it says "for 7 - 8 inch twist barrels only". so you should be OK up to those at least. I also prefer Varget and have pierced primers when I tried 4895 with the 80's.

Laphroaig
 
Walkalong, check out Calgunners a site where all of these guys are building AR's for shooting 1000 yds. In the reloading section I noticed a sticky that deals with heavy bullets in .223. It seems like they all shoot AR's there.
 
I pretty much use IMR 4895 and TAC exclusively unless I can get my hands on some more WC844--which is allegedly a rough equivalent to H335.
All my barrels are 1/9 and I've ventured up to 70 gr but no higher. Mostly 69 gr SMKs
 
My 1 in 9 loves 55 & 62 gr bullets.
And Varget or Reloder 15

I haven't had any reason to try heavier bullets or other powders.
 
Very good stuff so far. I'll probably shoot more 50 to 60+ Gr bullets, but want to work up a load with one of the heavier bullets as well. The Hornady 77 Gr Match HPBT bullet appears to be quite a bit cheaper than the others, so that is what I'll try first.
 
My Les Baer Ar is a 1:8 and suggests 69gr bullets and It's a tack driver with em. SMK, Hornady A Max, Barnes Match Burners and my favorite being a 70gr Berger VLD over Benchmark.
 
MtnCreek said:
I didn't have any success with CFE either, but I rushed through it and will probably revisit it (have a couple #'s that I need to do something with).
Click to expand...

Same here. Going to try it again some time.



I've had great results with 8208 in .308 and going to try it in .223 next.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

W
  • Locked
Is it worth trying a heavier bullet?
Replies
17
Views
737
jmr40
jmr40
Rule3
  • Locked
So, should I get some heavier bullets for 5.56?? For 1:8 TWIST
2
Replies
27
Views
3K
Offfhand
Offfhand
C
  • Locked
8208 XBR Powder
Replies
13
Views
2K
Grumulkin
Grumulkin
B
  • Locked
60-65 gr Match Quality 223 Bullet?
Replies
9
Views
911
Bear2000
B
B
  • Locked
Understanding bullet weight and twist
Replies
10
Views
720
benzy2
B
Back
Top