5.56 loads

[jlorimer]

Hello Pest Bird, I've found Winchester brass holds the most powder, next is Remington, then ADI, then Lapua. I get the best loads with Winchester, and the brass seems to hold up better, but, then that is in my rifle.

Every rifle is different, I had one .223 that loved 24.5 gns of AR2208, and ADI cases. I tried Winchester cases, and 25 gns AR2208 with Rem.71/2 primers, and it shot like a dog. The more powder I used the worse it got.

For what it is worth, we have about six .223's shooting Standard Class in our area, and all except me are using 30" barrels AR2206 & AR2208 powders. One is using Remington Brass, one is using ADI, and the rest are using Winchester Brass. All are using 80gn mollied projectiles, and Remington 71/2 BR primers. Hope this is of some assistance.

[Paul Janzso]

Hi John

Thank you for your help, I have only just started shooting F Class and I am enjoying it and the Murray Bridge Rifle Club very much.

Cheers
Paul

[AlanF]

I have a "come-up" question about a .223 please.

Our club Omark .223 was used last weekend at 600yd and will be used this weekend at 900yd. Its using factory ammo (from the VRA). Can anyone tell me approx. how much it needs to come up in elevation for 900? If it helps, it needed about 9 points "come-up" from 300 to 600.

Thanks.

Alan

[Tony Q]

Alan

I take it they are 69gn'rs

If it needed around 9 from 300 to 600yds it will need another 17 or so above the 600yd setting for 900yds, it will get you on paper anyway.

My own data gives me 10moa from 300 to 600yds and 900 requires 27moa above the 300yd setting. This is based on 80gnrs @2900f/ps

Hope it helps.

[AlanF]

Tony,

Thanks. I've just found out that they are 63 gr ex-military, so if they get there at all, it'll probably need about 20MOA come-up from 600 to 900. I won't be at the range so will instruct them to try 18 then 22 (then 26 ).

Alan

[jlorimer]

Alan,
I would advise not to use the 63gn .223 rounds for 1000yds. They just havn't got the legs. You are going to have a lot of disappointed beginner shooters. It might just be enough to turn them off shooting long range. Save them for up to 600m, and go to the 80gn hand loads for beyond 600. Even the 80grainers if not stoked up,do not perform well at the 1000yds. Hope this assists.

[AlanF]

John,

Thanks, I think you're right. We have 300yds the following weekend, so will leave the .223 in the safe till then. Unfortunately the twist and throat in the barrel are not suited to the longer projectiles, so we might need to wait until the next barrel for that.

Alan

[littlebang556]

I have ordered a couple of hundred Lapua Match cases but after the shoot I had yesterday I think I might leave them in the box for a while.
49.5 with a couple of errors on my part followed by 50.6 which was followed by an extra six shots that I had left over effectively giving me 80.10 .
The 49.5 was the 1st application then a fellow club member used my rifle to shoot 45.4 & 49.5 (not bad considering he used my rifle left handed) and the 50.6/80.10 was the 4th application, 48 shots in all.
Load was 92.5g PMC brass w/Rem 7 1/2 primer, 25.1g 2208 & 80.1g SMK's running 15thou jump at 3025fps @ 500yards with a 30" 1:7.7T Kreiger on an Omark action w/open sights that weighs 6420grams.
Brass was straight out of the packet and unaltered in any way, including the buckled case mouths.

Lapua $0.70-$0.90
Winchester $0.35
PMC $0.25-$0.30

With the above price differences I am not sure if it is worthwhile changing to Lapua but am wondering if anyone else has used PMC before and how many reloads they managed to squeeze out of them

Cheers

Rob A

[littlebang556]

Can't believe that it has taken me so damn long to find a good load for my beloved .223.
score on the weekend was
555555VVVV=50.4
VVVVVVVVVV=50.10

This was at 400y with 1" group shooting fullbore competition after rifle clean with Hoppes #9 then Sweets followed by Hoppes #9.

Load= Winchester brass
7 1/2 Primers
80gn SMK
25.4gn 2208

Cheers Rob A

[balcom]

My ignorance as an FO shooter Chris. Nevertheless I say give it a go in your 223.

Bully_eye
Does this mean you dont read/have a rule book
PeterH

[littlebang556]

400.60 in fullbore competition. 4,5,600y & 600m

Load= Winchester brass
7 1/2 Primers
80.0gn SMK
25.4gn 2208
15thou jump
Omark
Krieger 30" S/S 7.7T

Regards

Rob Alman

[littlebang556]

Hi Fellow Shooters
I am interested in anybody that has done some chrony tests on 5.56 ammo 80 grain projectiles.
I am running 2206 powder and getting 3030 f.p.s. The load I am using is 25 grains.
I would like some feedback on anyone else that has fiddled or tried anything to get the best tight groups with a 556.Your comment would B appreciated ...Rich

Lets get back to the orrriginal question here Rich...

Just completed chrony tests with:
25.4 of 2208

1 3041
2 3045
3 3048
4 3041
5 3041
6 3043
7 3039
8 3041
9 3044
X 3039
1 3042
2 3040
3 3040
4 3040
5 3041
6 3040
7 3042
8 3039
9 3041
X 3039
1 3042
2 3039
3 3038
4 3040

I am sure one would be happy with results like this.
Group looked like 2x bullet holes from 90yards on a rest with next to zero wind.

Cheers

Rob Alman

[Lynn Otto]

Hi Rob

What brand of chronograph are you using?

Lynn

[littlebang556]

Pro Chrony I think Lynn but not sure of model.
Chrony belongs to the club, I take it out of the box, use it and put it back for the next person to use.
I will check it out on the weekend and get back to you Lynn.

From your question, are you suggesting that some chrony's are not as reliable as others.
I have witnessed the Chrony in question display quite horrid deviations whilst trying to discover the correct load/loading proceedure but believe it to be accurate.

Regards

Rob Alman

[Lynn Otto]

Hi Rob

Yes, I think many people could tell stories of chronys that "lied". Your results were unusual in their lack of deviation and that they were well over the 3000 mark with that load.

Having said that, if they are correct, and there's no reason to think they're not, then you've done well, you're obviously doing something right, I'd be very happy with those numbers. Of course they may not be unusual, just different from what we manage to get, perhaps some-one else can say if they are able to get such nice numbers.

Lynn