Sierra .224 55gr HPBT: suggested powders

[capreppy]

My rifle (24" DPMS fluted bull barrel in .223 Remington) really loves Nosler 60gr BTBT. I can consistently get 1/3 MOA groups @ 100 yards with this bullet using 24gr H335.

I've got a lot (just shy of 1k) pieces of Sierra .224 55gr HPBT. I would like to get similar precision out of the Sierra HPBTs. I think these bullets are capable of it (are they?). I have tried H335 (25.6gr, max is 25.7gr according to Sierra manual) and am able to get 1/2 to 3/4 MOA groups @ 100 yards.

I have Varget, but have not tried it with the 55gr HPBT. Does anyone have experience using Varget with a 55gr HPBT? Will I get better accuracy than H335? Any other powders to try?

 

[Valkman]

Varget is all I have - I'd sure give it a try.

 

[R.W.Dale]

Varget certainly works good in 223 w 55g or heavier bullets.

But honestly h335 loads so much easier and is in my experience just as accurate.

.223 and h335 just go togeather like pb n j

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[capreppy]

I had heard that .223 and H335 went together like PB&J. Thus the reason I was was a little disappointed with the performance of the Sierra 55gr HPBT.

With that being said, I did look at the BC for the 55gr HPBT and the number is much lower than I would have expected. It's BC number is lower than even the 55gr FMJBT

 

[wingman]

I'm in the process of working up loads for same bullet using reloader 7 and 4895 have some loaded but not made it to range as yet. I will say that overall the 52gr sierra match has always been my most consistent small groups bullet in any 223 I've owned including my AR.

 

[BADUNAME37]

Perhaps 4064

 

[MtnCreek]

am able to get 1/2 to 3/4 MOA groups @ 100 yards.

That may be all you're going to get from the 55gr bullet. It is very good grouping by my standards.

If you try Varget, push it to book max, assuming it doesn't pressure limit before getting there. Varget tends to like a stout charge. Also, be ready to hear a little crunching when seating; Varget will be compressed. Depending on your measure, Varget should meter pretty good.

If weighing each charge, IMR 4895 would be a great powder to try. It meters so-so, better to weigh each charge IMHO.

8208xbr would also be a good powder to try. Meters very well. I loaded some Nosler 55gr BT's with it this weekend. Very consistent SD's and pretty good velocity with measured charges in mixed LC brass. Off memory, I think I was at 24.9grs @ 2.23".

 

[capreppy]

That may be all you're going to get from the 55gr bullet. It is very good grouping by my standards.

I was afraid of that.

I've used Varget with 69gr SMKs and it was also compressed so am comfortable with the idea of a compressed load.

I may just use these bullets for additional trigger time. Currently using Hornady 55gr SP and these are pretty decent as well.

 

[JimKirk]

Reloder 10X works good in my DPMS 16" bull barrel.... Reloder 15 works well too, but is better with heavier bullets.... I use RL 15 with my Nosler Partition 60 gr. ....