New build hates 40 grain bullets?

[chesty for president]

I built a 223 off of an old 7mm Mag i had given to me. The rifle in question has a 1-12 twist Criterion stainless varmint contour barrel "properly broke in", Recoil lug from Northland, a Vortex Crossfire scope, Ultimate Varmint stock, I loaded some test ammo today using Varget powder from 25 to 26.5 grains in .5 grain incriments on top of 40 grain v-max bullets, all rounds were loaded .03 off the lands. The best group I could get at 100 yards was 1 3/4". I used some 50 grain V-Maxes my buddy gave me and they shot quite a bit better. If anyone shoots a 1-12 twist 223 and you have any loads that work for you im open to any advice. Ive read on here that 52 grain bullets work well with the 1-12 twist but didnt see what powder they were using. I like the speed of the 40's but if i cant hit anything its kinda useless lol. Thanks in advance for any advice

[Eric in NC]

Never found a 223 that liked bullets lighter than 50 grains. 50-55 should be the sweet spot for your gun.

[chesty for president]

Thanks Eric, Ive been reading a little about people using 52's. Between range fees and buying bullets/powder im going broke lol. Thanks again for the advice.

[BoilerUP]

Varget might be too slow for 40gr; I never got good accuracy with it using 40gr V-Max from my 14-twist 24" 22-250 (Ruger No.1-V)

Try H335 or Benchmark.

Both my 22-250 and my 26" 9 twist 223 shoot the 52gr A-Max very well (Varget with the 223, H380 with the -250).

[chesty for president]

I always used H380 in my 22-250 also and my rifle loved it....sold the rifle and have a bunch of brass and stuff I cant use lol. Im gonna try that H355 as soon as i can find some locally, Ive read that it meters very well, or better than the Varget anyway. I think the rifle will be a shooter, its not all that bad right now just needs good ammo. My 308 with a Criterion barrel loves 178 A-Max's over Varget that sucker is a tack driver. Thanks again for the advice.....Respectfully

[Eric in NC]

I would also think about how much of the shank of the short 40 grainer was in the neck of the 223 when you were close to the lands - might be hard to get tension/concentricity right.

[earl39]

Don't overlook BLC-2 with the 52gr bullets. It wasn't a fast load but my old 788rem loved 24.5 gr blc-2 with the 52hpbt match. It is a light load but it shot lights out.

[chesty for president]

Earl39 I seen some BLC2 at the local range today and remembered reading about it i could remember if it was a ball or stick powder. Ive tried 4895 also and same results as Varget. Im going to order some 52 grain bullets not sure which ones yet...

[chesty for president]

Eric, I honestly never thought about neck tension/concentricity and im really hanging those bullets out there. Ill be switching to a 52 grain bullet soon maybe an A-Max or whatever most people on here are shooting. Im a rookie loader to say the least I really need to take a step back and do more research on accurate loading. I load safely and use the basic fundamentals but honestly never took the time to try and load really good ammo for my rifles.

[earl39]

BLC-2, H-380 are and i belive H-335 is also a ball powder.

[nova1194]

I have a couple 223s that shoot 40s pretty good, one is a 9 twist and the other a 14, neither like varget powder, both shoot 40s best with H335.

Mike

[chesty for president]

I had the 40's left over from my 22-250....Ill try the 40's over h335 or BLC-2 so they dont go to waste. I also have a few 50 grain V-Max's i might try out. Range fees are so high here ill have to wait to buy powder.

[quickkillaught6]

I have a a 1-12 that eats 40 vmaxs and varget like candy from what i have found.... in my own experience which aint too much. is that with varget and the 40 and lighter weight bullets you cant lead them you gotta keep the loads compressed to produce the proper velocities i Have used varget for 3 years now and love it its not temp sense and it shoots clean. Try 26 grns. of varget cci400 seated at 2.276 ive used that load in 4 diff. 223s thats produced good results 1 raged hole. 22grns of H322 with cci400 52gn SMKHPBT seated at 2.199 is another goto load for me. hope this helps. i have tried the 52 hornady hpbt and my gun didnt like them aswell as the smks. the h335 shot about the same for me but its a pain in the ass to work with and prolly more temp sense. so ill stick to my varget.

[A_Gamehog]

You can shoot the 34 grain dogtowns to the 55 Sierra's, but the 50-52 are your best bet.
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34 grain Dogtown bullet, or use a 40 but reduce the load to start!
27.5 X-terminator or 27.5 W-748 or 27.5 Tac or 27.5 AA2230
Powder does not matter the ball powders all shoot well
Lake city Brass or Rem
CCI 450 or Wolf Mag

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52 grain match target bullet
22.0 Grains of IMR 4198
CCI-450 primers
Lake city brass
100 yard match load if the shooter is able.

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most 1-12 .223's can use this load data. My .223 1-9 AR-15 and Bolts both do well also.
1MOA @ 100 yards or better...

the 55 V-Max is too long, not too heavy.the 53 V-Max is also too long.

[TOO Builder]

IMR 3031 was the ticket for me with the 40gr Vmax in my .223

[chesty for president]

Barnes Match Burner Bullets 52 grain for 223...Has anyone tried these yet...not a bad price per 100

[racinready300ex]

Berger 52 gr. FB is the way to go IMO

[CJ in WY]

IMR 3031 was the ticket for me with the 40gr Vmax in my .223


You must not have a crony. 3031 is accurate as all get out in the 223s I've tried it in but more than a tad slow...The real upside is the barrels dont heat up very fast though ;D

[chesty for president]

Sorry to reply to an old topic but I just got back to the range weve been busy at work...I tried some 52 grain SMK's over 25.0 grains of Benchmark and what a difference...shot great at 100 yards easy 1 inch groups. Thanks a lot for the replies and a great web base...Semper Fi

[keeki]

i load for 4 different 223's and with the 40gr bullets H4198 was the best in all 4 guns. but i didnt try Imr4198