Author Topic: Did a little .223 load development  (Read 791 times)

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Offline diggler1833

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Did a little .223 load development
« on: June 13, 2009, 09:15:44 AM »
Picked up a .223 SPS Tactical upon returning back to the states the last time, and finally got it put together about a month ago after waiting for a few parts for a little while.  The rifle still has less than 100 rounds through it and is a solid 1 MOA rifle with 69gr FGMM.  With the couple of handloads it has digested it has proven to be at least a MOA rifle with Hornady 68gr BTHP and IMR 4895.  With the Hornady bullets and Varget though things got much better.  Here are two 5 round groups fired at 100yds the other day.  The top group is .433" and the bottom was .476" withouth the flyer (just under an inch with it), which I'm sure is either shooter error or due to lack of case/round prep on the bench.

Case prep was held to an absolute minimum, I only sized/deprimed and did a quick chamfer/debur as all the brass used was once fired that I picked up at the range where I worked at.  Dies used were run of the mill RCBS, which left a damn crimp on each bullet at the ogive.  In short, I spent about 1/3 the time that I do on reloading ammo for my .308.  I'll have to see next time what the rifle is capable of when I put some time and effort into it.

The rifle:  An SPS Tactical .223 with McMillan A5 and Leupy MK4 4.5-14x50 TMR.


Rounds 84-93 through the rifle (has 93 through it total currently).

Offline Skunk

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Re: Did a little .223 load development
« Reply #1 on: June 13, 2009, 11:24:10 AM »
Nice job Diggler. I'm using the same exact load as you with the Sierras.
Mike

"Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition" - Frank Loesser

Offline hillbill

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Re: Did a little .223 load development
« Reply #2 on: June 13, 2009, 05:20:32 PM »
yu might look at 4198, it works for me and does more with less powder. havent tried it on the heavier bullets yur useing tho only 50-55 grns.

Offline 700 223

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Re: Did a little .223 load development
« Reply #3 on: June 16, 2009, 11:28:03 AM »
Very nice set up and great targets! The 700s in .223 that I own are great shooters too. I suspect it won't be long before you fire one of those groups with a single ragged hole! I might have to try that Varget load in my 700 LTR with the 68 match. Thanks for posting.

Offline yankee

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Re: Did a little .223 load development
« Reply #4 on: July 05, 2009, 03:01:46 AM »
If you don't like the crimp just back the die out of the press a bit