In the quest for sub MOA accuracy from my Model 10T-SR in 223 I've replaced the stock and pillar bedded the action and tried many different bullet weights with CFE223 to no good end. Frustrating because my other Savage Model 10 in 223 LOVES that powder. A competition shooter friend of mine turned me onto Alliant AR-Comp so I started to do some research. Load data is VERY hard to come by for any given bullet weight/type so far. I did not trust what I found in the Alliant site because one load for 50gr bullets called for 27.4 grains, 25 grains of the stuff fills the case to the rim!!
So, I called Alliant and got in touch with a tech who reloads for a 223 and exclusively shoots AR-Comp. He informed me that the charges shown on their website (the few that they have) should be considered max and that we should deduct 10% and use that as a starting point. At this time they have no data for any 60 grain bullets with that powder in .223.
He told me that he is getting SD in the SINGLE DIGITS when loaded slightly below max over CCI BR-4 primers. I bought a pack of BR-4 and loaded the Nosler 60s over 24 grains and a BR-4 primer. The SD for a five shot string was...........3.4!!!!!!!! I also loaded Hornady 73g ELD-Match over 22.5 grains and a Rem 7 1/2 primer and shot a 5 shot group that measured .219 inch for the first four shots and the fifth shot opened the group to .354 inch. SD was 22.5. I'm excited and plan to do some testing with those two loads by playing with seating depth, powder charge, neck tension etc to see if I can get consistent low SD and bugholes at 100. My goal is to find a load that will deliver 1/4 MOA accuracy shot after shot.
From what I've read online the Alliant techs swear by the magic created with AR-Comp and BR-4 primers. One test that I found on youtube compared 4198 and AR-Comp and when the load density hit the magic level with the AR-Comp the SD dropped to single digits.
I may have an eight pound keg of CFE223 to sell!
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