Handloading for 223, 1:9" ?????

[sureshot73]

Hey guys i have a 223 Handi-grip arriving any day now, i would like some input on handload recipies, i load 40gr v-max & BT's in my hornet and would like to use the same bullets if people are having success with them, i would rather not switch to 50gr. if i dont need to. As far as powder goes i have IMR 4895 & 4064 that i use for several other calibers and again would like to stick with this unless there is some negative feed back, i'm sure there is far superior powder/bullet choices out there, but would like to know if what i have on hand will result in a decent combination. Let me know the good,bad & the ugly, any input would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.

[petemi]

I have a one in nine Handi .223 and IMR4895 also, so I too am eager to see what the guys say.

Pete

[LaOtto222]

Look at your load data books. There should be a combination you are looking for. Namely IMR 4895 and Hornady 40 grain bullets. Give them a try. I wish I could tell you exactly what will work, but every gun is different, so they like different things. IMR 4895 should be a good load for any bullet you could try, so if this combination does not work, then try it with a different bullet. If you do not have any other bullets to try, I would go up to a 55 grain bullet, but that is personal choice. Good Luck and Good Shooting

[petemi]

My .223 is new, and I have very limited experience with it.  I've only shot 55 gr. factory ammo with superb results.  I've made a couple of amazing (for me) shots with it.  I think, now that I'll be reloading, I'll try 55 gr. Vmax's or something similar first.

Pete

[bikerbeans]

I got a new 223 1:9 twist the first of this year.  I have not shot any factory loads, only my reloads.  I have not tried either the bullet or powders you have listed, but my barrel hasn't liked any bullet less than 60 grains.  I tried a number of bullets from 36 to 55 grain and all gave poor results.  The exact same ammo in my wife's M4, 1:9 twist, shoots great.  Probably just my particular gun.  If you work up a good load for the 1:9 twist with the lighter bullets let me know. 

BB

[PHATINJUN]

you may have trouble with the 40gr bullets the 1-9 is more intune to the 50-70grainers. I have used both those powders but like the 3031 better. Kurt

[Darreld Walton]

Not likely you'll 'overstabilize' 40 grainers, I use the 40 gr. Nosler with great success in .223, .220 Swift, and .22-250 Ackley Improved.  The .223's I have on hand are CZ527 1-9, several AR's with all but one 1-9, the Swift is a 1-9, and the .22-250 AI is a 1-14.  The Noslers stay together in the hotrods at 'around' 4300 fps, no 'blue mist' on the way to the target, and they're devastating on varmints.
You probably know that the quicker twist in .224 bore enables you to use the heavier bullets, up to 69 gr. without much problem at all, and some folks using even 75's in 5.56, and those ARE the bullets you'll want for extended range work.  The 40's don't reliably cycle my AR's, or Mini-14, so I limit them to the Swift and AI.
I use 4895, 'both' flavors, as well as 4198, Varget, and TAC.  Varget is the preferred powder for work in a rifle that can get warmish, as it doesnt seem to be nearly as temperature sensitive as any of the others.  If I'm using the Dillon 550 to load, I prefer TAC, it being a ball powder, and measures VERY nicely in the progressive.
I believe, without trying to dig out targets and load data, that 4198 is giving the best performance in .223/5.56 with the lightweight bullets in my .223 bolt guns, but I don't usually load them, preferring uniformity in the ammunition for use in all my rifles.  Your results may vary.

[PHATINJUN]

Darreld how many of those guns that your shooting the 40grainers out of are H&R's?? Kurt

[PowPow]

I had a pretty good load for 40 v-max's with H380 thru my NEF 223 1:9, because I already had it.

I would say use what you got on hand, but do a "ladder test" and see if the results suit you:
http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,205206.0.html