Chamber leade in .223 NEF

[chubcobear]

I don't think this is new territory here, but I have discovered that MY .223 NEF chamber leade is .080 to .090 longer than my other 223 rifles.  For me that might explain my difficulty in getting good groups with my 223 reloads for NEF.  My fault for not discovering it sooner (I just bought a Hornady OAL Gauge), but I thot I would pass it on anyway.  OAL for reloads for NEF .223 seem to have to be longer for accuracy.  Thanks.

[AtlLaw]

Maybe that's why mine shoots 5.56 milsurp so well.      I think I'll check mine...

[nanuk-O-dah-Nort]

Maybe that's why mine shoots 5.56 milsurp so well.      I think I'll check mine...

Good stuff to know, Eh?

IIRC, it is the leade that differentiates the 223 from the 556?

[quickdtoo]

It's well documented in the archives here that most Handi-rifle chambers have deep throats, specially the 223, most handloaders just load to recommended SAAMI COL and work up a load that works well. Myself, I've never had to load for it, my 1:12" 223 Ultra Varmint shoots the cheap(not so much any more tho  ) Win White box 45gr JHP well under an inch at 100yds, bought lots when it was only $14 for 40 or 50 rds. Those rounds are a good .200" off the lands.

Tim

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,78769.msg487021.html#msg487021

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,39722.msg225897.html#msg225897

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,192687.msg1098971962.html#msg1098971962

[JamesIII]

I finally switched to 60gr. Bullets and seated them in the 2.290-2.300 range. I still have lots of room to the lands. I love to shoot these at 200-300 yds. The down side is they don't fit in my .223 ammo cases anymore! JamesIII

[chubcobear]

We were able to shoot yesterday and did improve drastically our groups with a much longer OAL load.  With  1:9 twist  .223, we used 69 gr SMK, 25.3 gr.Varget, LC Brass, CCI  400 primer and an OAL of 2.400 (the leade for 69 gr. SMK in my NEF was 2.445 to lands).  That load shot sub MOA (4 bullets 5/8").  Where before we could only find loads at bare MOA before, longer bullets (longer OAL) gave us sub MOA.
Take a good look at it, and get possibly better loads for NEF with longer bullets?

Be careful, for that length bullet is too long for my other .223 bolt guns.

[Brian P.]

My 223 handi groups tightened up using a LFC die with flat based hornet bullets.  It might be creating a more consistent pressure on the jump.