Recommended factory loads for 10FCP-K in 223?

[strafer]

Howdy from Sacramento area!

I'm really excited to pick up my first bolt gun on Friday. Given the wide variety of 223 cartridges available ( bullet weights, velocities, manufacturers, etc.), I was hoping folks on this forum with fcp-k 223 experience could share some of their factory load recommendations and maybe save me from buying one box of everything to try out. I am expecting I will need to find the rounds my particular rifle "likes", I'd just like to narrow the field of possible cartridges if I can.

I plan on a 200 yd zero and shooting 200 - 400 +yds, primarily at paper and ground squirrels.

Any tips or advice on factory 223 ammo would be greatly appreciated.

I don't reload right now....

Thanks for looking and in advance for sharing.

[SlimySquirrel]

Hi Strafer,


I have been getting really nice groups from the American Eagle 50Gr Tipped ammo in my 1-9 Barrel.

Have only shot to 200 yds but grouped 1 hole at 117mtr and a couple inches at 200yds off my average rest with my average technique.


I'm gonna suggest the 20 gr may not be a good 400yd round but I could be wrong.

Federal Blue box works nice too... most 1-9 are good to 70-75 grains so Give the Winchester 64 a try...I have some but have not shot them...Sorry!

[strafer]

Thanks for the tips Slimy! Just picked her up and rigged her with the vortex 4-16 x 44 PST dead hold. Range report next week hopefully...

[strafer]

Update on 10 fcp-k in .223

Had her now for about five months. She loves 55 gr. Fmjbt by pmc, yeah, the cheap stuff!

Changed the glass to a 5 - 24 first focal plane vortex PST, and I can reliably shoot sub moa out to 300.

Here's a picture of a head shot to a quarter at 300 yards. Took me 5 shots, but again, using factory PMC 55 gr FMJBT. I think a dime is next, definitely doable with less shots if I use some match ammo...

https://www.dropbox.com/s/6db00677hdl796g/model%2010fcp-k%20headshot%20to%20a%20quarter%20at%20300%20yds.j pg

Short story, I LOVE this rifle.

Added a scope cant level and it's deadly anywhere 100 -300 yards.

Thanks for the inputs!

Best regards,

Strafer
Citrus Heights, CA

[eddiesindian]

what twist is it?
why zero at 200?

[strafer]

Update to 10-fcpk in .223-handloads

I've been reloading now since August trying different recipes and bullet weights/shapes.

My rifle is 1/9 twist, but she loves the lighter bullets.

My most accurate handload thusfar is:

Nosler Varmageddon 40 gr FBHP
28.0 gr win 748 powder
Cci small rifle mag primer
1.924 oal using a comparator
Approx 3400 fps at muzzle using a chrono

This load will consistently place three shots in a ragged hole at 100 yds. Under .60 at 200 yards.

I've upgraded the glass to a Vortex ffp 6-24 x 50.

Still loving the rifle!

[rotts4u]

The best ammo in my FLCP-K (lefty) is the standard hornady Match 75 grain. NOT the superformance version. I get pretty consistent .5" at 100 yards. Next best for me is the Federal match 69 grain.

[CharlieNC]

Strafer my 223 Hog Hunter 9 twist loves SMK69 seated .010" off the lands, over 25.0gr of Varget. I have shot some unbelieveable groups at our 300 yd range, but as the weak link I must achieve better consistency first before I brag! Also shot steel great out to 700 yd before I ran out of scope adjustment, so a 20MOA base is awaiting installation. I continue to try Berger and Hornady too, not as good as the SMK, but better BC to push out longer range once the new base is on-line.

[bani]

my FCP-K prefers 69gr or 77gr, it does horrible with light bullet factory ammo.

the best factory ammo i've found so far is Federal Gold Medal Match 69gr and Nosler Custom Competition Match Grade 69gr.