Loads for long barreled .223?

[daved20319]

Got a 12FV for Christmas, haven't been able to get out and shoot it yet, but in the meantime, I'd like to start putting some loads together for it. Only other .223 I've loaded for is my AR, and that's got 10" less barrel :o. As the Savage is a 9 twist, I'm anticipating best accuracy and stability will be with bullets around 70 gr. My concern is that with typical .223 powders, is that long barrel actually going to cost me velocity? I know, the best plan is to just try it and see, but that's just not going to happen for awhile. So I was wondering what folks with the same rifle/caliber have come up with.

BTW, powders on hand are H335, CFE223, and Varget. The H335 is my go to powder for my AR, the Varget I've only used a little of and got no advantage in my AR, and the CFE I haven't even opened yet. I have no objection to trying other powders. Brass will most likely be new or once fired LC to start, and I have a variety of primers on hand as well. Use will be strictly paper targets at ranges of 200-500 yards. TIA.

Dave

[PaddyD]

I think in the longer barrel and using the heavier bullets you'll do good to start with CFE 223 as it is a slower powder and will take advantage of the barrel length and heavier bullet. Also since it is a new barrel, the CFE can possibly help with barrel break in as it keeps the copper from depositing. If using 55 gr CFE will work well but my Mod 70HV really likes H335 with 55 gr bullets. I may be the exception, but I've never had very good luck with Varget.

[yobuck]

The fact that it has a longer barrel, dosent change the fact that its still a 223.
AND, having different opinions is still legal, even in todays society.
My opinion is use it as you would any other 223, by using what shoots best for whatever you plan for its use.
Personally, i use 4895 with 50/55 gr bullets in mine, and if i want to use 70 gr id be using a bigger case like the same gun in a 22 250.
But theres probably no reason that both might work pretty well in your gun.

[Stumpkiller]

I have a 23" .223 (1:12" twist - an older concept) and 21.5 gr of IMR4198 is great at that length with 52 & 53 gr bullets.

[bigedp51]

Any of the powders you listed will work in a 26 inch barrel, "BUT" Varget is a single base Extreme Powder and the most temp stable.

223 Rem + 223 AI Cartridge Guide

http://www.accurateshooter.com/cartridge-guides/223rem/

[Stumpkiller]

Ooooo. Then try H4198. ;-)

[SCdawg]

in a 1 -8 26" Criterion barrel I am using Varget and 69 gr Nosler CC's with good results. I started with 24.0 and worked up .2 at a time and found about 3 good nodes.

[jpx2rk]

Try 23.0g of varget, 55g Nosler FBHP & FB tipped, somewhere's around normal COL. Use S & B primers. This is a beginning/low powder charge but an accurate load in my FV12 223 & a R700 223 as well.

[Zero333]

Varget with 69 gr Matchkings or their younger brother the 69 gr Tipped matchking.

Longer barrels = more velocity... Always.

With the same load... Going from a 16" barrel to a 26" barrel you'll gain at least 200 fps on average. Sometimes 300 fps.

I got best accuracy with 25 gr of Varget under the 69 gr matchking, Winchester brass, 205m primer, 2.300" COAL.
But you should work up from 23 (ish) grains because you never know.

[Fotheringill]

I have a Savage F-TR in .223 with a 30" barrel- 1:7 twist.
Shooting pals have your rifle and hand load. I see them and their targets pretty much every weekend at the range.

You best bullet is probably going to be a 69 grain Sierra Match King.
Powder - and this form my rifle and others- Varget is very, very good and CFE 223 a close second. Varget will NOT meter well if you use a manual powder drop. The CFE meters very well.

[daved20319]

Thanks, guys, good info. I'm really kind of hoping Varget doesn't end up being best, just because of the metering issue, I've gotten spoiled by H335. Anyone using VV H540? Or is it N540 as Sierra has in their load data? Looks like about the slowest powder recommended in the .223, but it's very expensive. Just wondering if it's worth the cost. Later.

Dave

[eldos]

Quickload Reloading software - Estimated - 26" barrel 2.260" Cartage Hornady 70gr GMX - 5.56x45 NATO
223 Rem SAMI Max PSI 53664psi
5.56x45 NATO PSI 62366psi

Powder type [ Filling/Loading Ratio %] [ Charge grains] [Charge gram] [Vel. fps] [Prop.Burnt %] [P max psi] [P muzz psi]

--------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Hodgdon CFE223 98.9 25.0 1.62 3006 [B] 97.3 54570 6551 1.142 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H335 91.9 22.8 1.48 2956 99.6 54570 6016 1.156 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon VARGET 106.0 23.3 1.51 2907 95.7 53299 6117 1.168 ! Near Maximum !

All look like they are good on burn %.
Still use published load data for working up your loads as chamber pressure can change quick with little charge changes in the upper end of pressure.

BTW, on a 16" barrel for comparison
Hodgdon CFE223 98.9 25.0 1.62 2697 93.3 54570 11290 0.852 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H335 91.9 22.8 1.48 2664 97.5 54570 10607 0.861 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon VARGET 106.0 23.3 1.51 2611 91.4 53300 10433 0.867 ! Near Maximum !

[PaddyD]

Not sure what I'm, doing wrong here. Tried to upload a pic, but all I got was text. Sorry.

[mighty_mace]

My 12FV loves 50gr Sierra Blitzkings with 26.3gr of Win 748.

[bigedp51]

Quickload Reloading software - Estimated - 26" barrel 2.260" Cartage Hornady 70gr GMX - 5.56x45 NATO
223 Rem SAMI Max PSI 53664psi
5.56x45 NATO PSI 62366psi

Powder type [ Filling/Loading Ratio %] [ Charge grains] [Charge gram] [Vel. fps] [Prop.Burnt %] [P max psi] [P muzz psi]

--------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Hodgdon CFE223 98.9 25.0 1.62 3006 [B] 97.3 54570 6551 1.142 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H335 91.9 22.8 1.48 2956 99.6 54570 6016 1.156 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon VARGET 106.0 23.3 1.51 2907 95.7 53299 6117 1.168 ! Near Maximum !

All look like they are good on burn %.
Still use published load data for working up your loads as chamber pressure can change quick with little charge changes in the upper end of pressure.

BTW, on a 16" barrel for comparison
Hodgdon CFE223 98.9 25.0 1.62 2697 93.3 54570 11290 0.852 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H335 91.9 22.8 1.48 2664 97.5 54570 10607 0.861 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon VARGET 106.0 23.3 1.51 2611 91.4 53300 10433 0.867 ! Near Maximum !

Above is the best part of having Quickload, it will show the velocity increase for every inch of barrel length. And also give you the percent of powder burned in that length barrel. Meaning it helps pick the most efficient powder for a given caliber and barrel length.

But you need a chronograph and then adjust Quickloads burn rate until the two velocities match to get accurate chamber pressure estimates.

[Texas10]

Sons model 12FV, 223, 9 twist; 52g HP Sierra, 53g Hornaday V-Max both love IMR-3031 at about 3250 fps. Real tack driver and 4 inch clays at 500 yds are easy peasy. For the 69 g SMK and TMK, we find 8208XBR works pretty well at 750 yds. N133 is good for this weight range too.

I find Varget to be very dirty burning in the 223 with the lighter bullets, not quite optimum combustion efficiency I suspect, same with CFE223, very sooty. If you lean towards the faster burning side of the scale, especially with the lighter bullets, I think you'll find a good combination of speed and accuracy. The 223 seems to like just about any powder. Which one shoots best for you is anyones guess.

[PaddyD]

I have an older Winchester M70HV, .223 cal, 26" bbl. Earlier this week It shot several 3 shot groups in the low teens at 100 yds with this load.
Remington cases trimmed 1.752" fire formed, then sized with .001" shoulder bump. Flash holes cleaned up with Lyman flash hole tool. Remington Bench Rest Primer, 23.5 gr IMR 8208XBR Hornady 68gr HPBT Match bullets seated .020" off the lands, which in my rifle was 1.784 measured at the ogive. I suggest you try this powder as it shoots great in .223 and my .308FP

[mbohuntr]

I have good results with 4895 and 55gr hornady sst's. I'm not looking for extreme range, just consistent accuracy out to 400 yds...

[PaddyD]

Sons model 12FV, 223, 9 twist; 52g HP Sierra, 53g Hornaday V-Max both love IMR-3031 at about 3250 fps. Real tack driver and 4 inch clays at 500 yds are easy peasy. For the 69 g SMK and TMK, we find 8208XBR works pretty well at 750 yds. N133 is good for this weight range too.

I find Varget to be very dirty burning in the 223 with the lighter bullets, not quite optimum combustion efficiency I suspect, same with CFE223, very sooty. If you lean towards the faster burning side of the scale, especially with the lighter bullets, I think you'll find a good combination of speed and accuracy. The 223 seems to like just about any powder. Which one shoots best for you is anyones guess.

I think you're on to something.. The slower powders need heavier bullets to produce the required pressures to burn efficiently. Lighter bullets, faster powders and vice versa.

[Triggerhappytv]

Accurate Arms 2230 and 50 gr Hornady Z-Max. I find working up from 22.4 to 23 grains, in .2 grain increments, almost always produces amazing results. Plus the powder is inexpensive and it's a light load powder wise, many other powders want closer to 27 grains and compressed loads, yet still gives 3200FPS + velocity out of a 26 inch barrel. I prefer powders that don't require hot loads to group well and that are extremely easy to meter as the consistency always improves accuracy.