223 Loads

[BLJ]

I know this is a popular cartridge around here so I thought we could get some loading info all in one spot.
Give everyone an idea of what people are using to get the velocity they’re getting and the rifle it’s coming from.

Also thought it may be a good spot for alternatives to the common stuff that may not be as available as we would like. (XBR).

Mine is
77 TMK
IMR 8208 XBR @ 23.5 grains
ADI Brass
CCI 400 SRP
2.26” COAL

Coming from a Ruger American Ranch with a 16” barrel I’m getting 2564 across a Magnetospeed.

Real soon I’ll be looking for an alternative to the XBR. I’ve tried Varget and was about 100 FPS slower. I’ve read some about Leverevolution but haven’t tried any yet.
I’m open for suggestions. Thanks.

 

[BLJ]

2650fps with an leverevolution and a 75gr Amax. 16" bolt gun.

I’m assuming with the 75 AMAX your longer than 2.26”?

 

[Carl Ross]

Leverevolution should give you noticeably better velocities with a 223 & heavies than any of the extruded options. I have a jug and need to do a little temp stability test of my own. Some people have a lot of issue with it, some don't. CFE223 should be similar.

H4895 is pretty similar to XBR 8208 but I've seen it even less on shelves the last few years.

Benchmark will be a bit behind on velocity potential, but I've shot thousands of 75 ELD's with 22.5 gr Benchmark. It's well behaved and meters very nicely. 2850-2900 fps with a 26" barrel for me. AND...you can get some today.

 

[swavescatter]

Tagging in.

Just loaded up my first batch with Hornady brass once fired, BR4 primers and 24 gr of varget. Slightly crunchy. Also running 3 thou neck tension which seems too much (slight nose ring on 77 TMKs). 2.3 COAL.

Hope to have Chrono data tomorrow if I can shake this Rona...

 

[ResearchinStuff]

77 tmk
2.25 coal
Lc brass
Fed 205
24.5 gr TAC
2702 fps MV @65 degrees

That same load in pmc brass produces severe ejector swipes.

 

[BLJ]

Oh yea, you have to with that bullet lol. The eld's and the Amaxs are cheap enough, I have a hard time using anything else in the 1:8" guns

I wouldnt want lever for the lighter bullets. But I'm pretty fond of it for the heavier stuff.

That powder used to be everywhere as nobody knew what to do with it

Thanks. I figured as such.

Your statement about Lever is what got me to look into it for the 77’s. It’s been some what easier to come across in the last couple years.

 

[PNWGATOR]

Recommend you start at the start and read this thread in it’s entirety:

.223 for bear, mountain goat, deer, elk, and moose.

DON'T HAVE TIME TO READ 176 PAGES? HERE'S THE CHEAT SHEET. “Bullets matter more than headstamps.” “Spent primers offer the supreme tutorial”. I’ve read it here and elsewhere online. It got my attention. I started digging and asking questions and listened. The 77gr TMK delivered by a .223...

rokslide.com

That’ll give you a foundation from which to build and deliver your own loads with the terminal performance possible.

 

[BLJ]

Recommend you start at the start and read this thread in it’s entirety:

.223 for bear, mountain goat, deer, elk, and moose.

DON'T HAVE TIME TO READ 176 PAGES? HERE'S THE CHEAT SHEET. “Bullets matter more than headstamps.” “Spent primers offer the supreme tutorial”. I’ve read it here and elsewhere online. It got my attention. I started digging and asking questions and listened. The 77gr TMK delivered by a .223...

rokslide.com

That’ll give you a foundation from which to build and deliver your own loads with the terminal performance possible.

I’ve read the entire thread. I’m trying to get 223 loads consolidated into one thread.
Maybe a little easier to find than sifting through 240+ pages.

 

[BLJ]

It just pours out of a powder measure too. Very nice stuff.

Most everything I have read, plus my experience says your goona be in the 25gr-26gr of powder range. Some folks are running 26.5gr but thats getting pretty hot

In your experience is the 25-26 range for Lever going to work at 2.26 COAL? Or would somewhere around 23 be a better place to start?
Looking for the most velocity I can get but accuracy is paramount. Appreciate your help.

 

[BLJ]

That’s a big help. Thanks @Steve300xcw

 

[PNWGATOR]

Did you even read what the man was asking?

Yes.

 

[LiveFire]

This is 556 NATO DATA

All from an 18" ar15, 1:8 223wylde chamber.

All under 1" 5 shot groups at 100yds

556 NATO DATA

75 deg out
77SMK
2.250" oal
Norma case
Rem 7.5 primer
AA2520 25.0Gr
2725fps

50deg out
77SMK
2.250" OAL
Norma case
Rem 7.5 primer
Winchester Staball Match 25.2gr
2707fps


50deg out
77TMK
2.300" OAL loaded in 5rd ASC SS mags.
Norma case
Rem 7.5 primer
Varget 24.5gr
2695fps

 

[DEW0341]

24” rock creek for Bighorn TL3. Barrel is a tack driver no matter what I’ve used so far. Below is the most recent load. Testing CFE223 and A2520 with 77SMK and Fed 205 going forward until those components are used up.

75gr ELDM @ 2714 FPS
IMR 3031 @ 21gr
Nosler Brass
CCI 450


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[ljalberta]

75gr ELDM
24gr Varget
Lapua Brass
CCI450
2.43” COAL

Around 2800fps in a T3X, 8 twist. No pressure signs and could likely run it up to 24.5 or 25gr of Varget if I was concerned about juicing it as far as I could.

 

[swavescatter]

77 TMK
24gr Varget
Once Fired Hornady Brass
2.3" COAL
CCI BR4
Tikka T3X Compact with Banish 30 Gold Suppressor
2630 fps muzzle velocity

Did not group well. Going to have to try the electric toothbrush trick to get more packed in...

 

[DEW0341]

An old test I did a while back. Don’t recall velocity.


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[Pharmseller]

Max load, start low and work up

75 ELDM
23.5 gr Benchmark
CCI400
1.940” BTO
2915 fps mv.



Only four shots but I’m happy with it. Killed a mulie buck this year at 475 yards.





P

 

[Mulyhuntr]

Tikka superlite
Lapua brass
75eldm
23.9 h4895
2901fps

 

[83cj-7]

IMR3031 is a solid choice in the .223.

My “universal” load:
23.3 grains IMR3031
Nosler 60 BTV
LC brass
WSR primer

MOA or better in about anything chambered in 223. Shoots 2600fps in my 12.5” AR and has killed literally truckloads of deer.

 

[DEW0341]

IMR3031 is a solid choice in the .223.

My “universal” load:
23.3 grains IMR3031
Nosler 60 BTV
LC brass
WSR primer

MOA or better in about anything chambered in 223. Shoots 2600fps in my 12.5” AR and has killed literally truckloads of deer.

Agreed. I have put 4 pounds of it through my 24” .223 bolt gun. It was only powder I found in stock near me that I could use during Covid and was pleasantly surprised.


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