223AI loads (75gr Amax and 65gr Gamekings)

[Junfan]

I finally have my 1:9 twist .223AI back together and am looking at working up some loads with 75gr Amax and 65gr Gamekings. I have the following powders on hand H335, Varget, H4895, TAC, RL15, RL17 I hear good things about RL15 and the 75gr Amax, just looking for a good starting point. Thanks.

[dcloco]

H4895 and RL15 work VERY well. You need to use a drop tube, helps to line up the kernels in the case.

SHOT VELOCITY h4895 69 Nos
1 3115.2 25 h4895 69 Nos
2 3014.2 25.2 h4895 69 Nos
3 3011.7 25.4 h4895 69 Nos
4 3039 25.6 h4895 69 Nos
5 3076.2 25.8 h4895 69 Nos
6 3117 26 h4895 69 Nos
7 3126.7 26.2 h4895 69 Nos
8 3152.5 26.4 h4895 69 Nos
9 3169.7 26.6 h4895 69 Nos
10 3194.4 26.8 h4895 69 Nos
11 3247.9 27 h4895 69 Nos
12 3254.6 27.2 h4895 69 Nos
13 3279.7 27.4 h4895 69 Nos
14 3295.3 27.6 h4895 69 Nos
15 3346.1 27.8 h4895 69 Nos


STRING 04
SHOT VELOCITY h4895 75 amax
1 2948.3 24.6 h4895 75 amax
2 2948.3 24.8 h4895 75 amax
3 3015.8 25 h4895 75 amax
4 3008.4 25.2 h4895 75 amax
5 3061.7 25.4 h4895 75 amax
6 3073.7 25.6 h4895 75 amax
7 3079.6 25.8 h4895 75 amax
8 3109.1 26 h4895 75 amax
9 3167.9 26.2 h4895 75 amax
10 3155.4 26.4 h4895 75 amax

[Junfan]

Are you running a 26" barrel?

[dcloco]

Yes.

[GaCop]

I gotta try some H4895 with the 75 grain A-Max. I like your velocity figures compared to what I'm getting with Reloader 15.

[Junfan]

Here are the results of the first round of loads. I did not have any pressure signs with any of these and will do a little adjusting before next time.

Temp 38-43 rain light to heavy


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v16/junfan/Shooting/11-07-10%20223AI/100_2164.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v16/junfan/Shooting/11-07-10%20223AI/100_2163.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v16/junfan/Shooting/11-07-10%20223AI/100_2162.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v16/junfan/Shooting/11-07-10%20223AI/100_2161.jpg

It seemed like Varget was the better powder today but I have more work to do.

[dcloco]

ACL - What powders are the four charts? Have you tried using the modified Audette load ladder yet? Would save quite a bit of powder and bullets. I usually run three ladders....three sets of 10 rounds..and vary the seating depth by 0.010 or 0.0150 per set.

Also, don't forget, those long bullets may not group that well at 100. Stretch them to 200 and let the real story be told.

Of note, running 80 gr Hornady Amax REJECTS out of Super Duece (222 Mag AI) today, groups hovered at 1" at 100 yards. Nope, not impressive. At 785 yards, a rock on the hill has 5 consecutive hits on it. Three people at the range, who I don't know, were completely impressed. In awe, would be an understatement. Was I having a good day? ....LOL...maybe. Would I take that shot on a coyote or prairie dog at that distance...yep...just keep handing me ammo. :)

[Junfan]

RL15
RL15
Varget
Varget

I will stretch things out next trip.

[dcloco]

Chronograph?

[Junfan]

It was raining too hard, did not want to take a chance of drowning the electronics.

[Junfan]

Well, I made it back to the range today and despite the cold and heavy snow I am pleased with the results. Lots of guys were reccomending 26.2 of RL15 with the 75gr Amax.....It seems I found my load.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v16/junfan/Shooting/11-21-10%20223AI/100_2182.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v16/junfan/Shooting/11-21-10%20223AI/100_2179.jpg

The crono in the snow was a no go so I will have to get some more data next trip.

[GaCop]

Yup. looks good!

[GaCop]

Shot mine with H4895/24.6-24.7-24.8 grains pushing a 69 grain SMK. Temp 38 degrees with a light 5 mph wind between 12 and 1 o'clock. Groups .638", .539" and .394". Looks like 24.8 grains is a first node so will up the charge to et velocities in the 3150 range as dcloco suggested and I should hit a second node.

Waiting for dry weather to test 75gr A-max and Varget/24.5-24.6-24.7-24.8 in Win brass. Next powder to try (after seeing your group) is RE-15.

[kelbro]

From the looks of those targets, I would like to try that RL-15. I have about 7 lbs of both Varget and H4895 to use up first :).

My Shilen 8-twist should be back in about a month and I can start shooting again.

[GaCop]

My best load to date using the 75 grain A-Max in the 223AI (1 in 8 twist) is 24.5 grains of Varget with the A-Max seated .010" off the lands. Winchester brass (94.5 gr. wt.). BR4 primer. Velocity was 2863 fps with a five shot 100 yard group of .509". Increased charges of Varget started opening up the groups to slightly over MOA.

I next tried the 80 grain Berger VLD pushed by 22.5, 22.6, 22.7, 22.8 grains of Varget. Bullet again seated .010" off the lands. Brass is Winchester with a case weight of 94.5 grains. Primer is the BR4.

22.5 grains - 2620 fps, five shot 100 yard group of .565".

22.6 grains - 2643 fps, " " " " .707".

22.7 grains - 2659 fps, " " " " .645".

22.8 grains - 2667 fps " " " " .514".

Temp was 40 degrees with a 10mph head wind.