G'day everyone
I'm planning on picking up a .223, nothing fancy just a T3x Varmint, to play with in the short to medium ranges and occasionally knocking over ferals.
Being new to the caliber (I already load and shoot .308 in TR and .260Rem in FO), what sort of powder are people using with 75-80gn pills to reach the 300m-600m targets?
thanks in advance
powder in .223
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Re: powder in .223
Depends on barrel length - circa 25 grains of 2208 +- .4 grn. Or 2206h for shorter barrel less than 25 inches. Naturally all barrels have different personalities but these two powders with magnum primers work fine (CCI 450). Work loads up.
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Re: powder in .223
I use 23 grains of benchmark 2 behind a 77 grain sierra matchking in adi brass loaded to oal of 2.260 with good results in field class, unsure how well it goes in f class.
I have found that compressed loads never shot well when using a lee collet die to size the necks because it didnt offer enough neck tension to stop the bullet being forced out by the powder.
I have found that compressed loads never shot well when using a lee collet die to size the necks because it didnt offer enough neck tension to stop the bullet being forced out by the powder.
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Re: powder in .223
Will be trying bm8208 in my t3 varmint 8 twist 223 in a couple of weeks. Had good results with 2208 but being factory rifle can't get enough in the case with the shorter throat. See how it goes I guess.
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Re: powder in .223
I've settled on 2208 - so I can use the same powder for loading 308 & 6mm - always had consistent results out to 800+. The 1 in 8 twist should be OK for the 80 grain projectiles as long as your velocity is up there.
I agree with williada, on the load, though I only use standard primers - PMC/CCI/Federal - never saw a benefit with magnum primers.
Have prevoiusly done well against the 308s with my 'pop gun' (a 59.7 at 800 yards at a Vic Queens)
I agree with williada, on the load, though I only use standard primers - PMC/CCI/Federal - never saw a benefit with magnum primers.
Have prevoiusly done well against the 308s with my 'pop gun' (a 59.7 at 800 yards at a Vic Queens)
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Re: powder in .223
Have not shot 223 now for ages but when I did settled on 2208 powder. Used the same powder in a 6BR and also occasionally I load 308s with 2208. So the only powders I keep these days are 2208 and 2209.
One thing I found was that running hot loads sometimes pierced primers. Moved over to the small CCI BR primers because they seem a touch thicker and tougher and that allowed hotter loads.
I used to be fairly competitive against 308. That was when I shot TR. But the loads needed to be hot at 1000y to compete.
There is no problem with a good 223 at 900y and 1000y performance is achievable. But 308 projectiles for TR have progressed more than 223 projectiles since then and I do not normally recommend 223 these days. But it can be good fun - especially when one beats 308 shooters.
This was of course with 80 grain projectiles in a 28 inch 1 in 8 inch twist buttoned barrel.
Peter Smith
One thing I found was that running hot loads sometimes pierced primers. Moved over to the small CCI BR primers because they seem a touch thicker and tougher and that allowed hotter loads.
I used to be fairly competitive against 308. That was when I shot TR. But the loads needed to be hot at 1000y to compete.
There is no problem with a good 223 at 900y and 1000y performance is achievable. But 308 projectiles for TR have progressed more than 223 projectiles since then and I do not normally recommend 223 these days. But it can be good fun - especially when one beats 308 shooters.
This was of course with 80 grain projectiles in a 28 inch 1 in 8 inch twist buttoned barrel.
Peter Smith
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Re: powder in .223
Thanks eveyone
I’m thinking I might play with 2208 and 06H as I do have a bit of it on hand.
The intent is to keep the rifle completely stock for a while just a bipod and a rear bag and just see what I can get it to do. I’m thinking the 70-73gn Berger projectiles are where I’ll start.
I’m thinking I might play with 2208 and 06H as I do have a bit of it on hand.
The intent is to keep the rifle completely stock for a while just a bipod and a rear bag and just see what I can get it to do. I’m thinking the 70-73gn Berger projectiles are where I’ll start.
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