Rokslide Special 223 recipe

[Hoove]

I’ve had success, for me, with CFE under 75 gr Hornady FMJBT M. Going to try some TAC as well.
Just at .7” 100yd group with free floating 20” stainless.
I’d like to try the ELDs.

 

[wind gypsy]

That’s about all mine would do as well. Shot some good groups but was always a 1.5” gun.

Same here.

 

[xsn10s]

I put an old SP1 1-7tw 20" barrel on my AR. Free float cheap Hogue tube. It shot a sub moa group with TAC. But my current load is just over 1 moa. I'll try some Fed 205 primers, that has tightened my group in the past.

 

[wind gypsy]

If I’m not shooting gas guns, would it be safe to say I don’t lose anything by finding Varget or TAc instead of the pricier XBR?

H4895>Varget at factory mag length due to case fill issues. Varget does seem to be tough to beat for accuracy and I dont exclude it especially when loading to a longer COAL.

XBR and H4895 (honorable mention to benchmark) for extruded powders

Have hardly any experience with ball powders but wouldn't be shy to try Tac, Leverrevolution, Staball match, CFE223, 2520. All of those should get you higher velocities than varget as well but might not be as consistent.

 

[TheCougar]

H4895>Varget at factory mag length due to case fill issues. Varget does seem to be tough to beat for accuracy and I dont exclude it especially when loading to a longer COAL.

XBR and H4895 (honorable mention to benchmark) for extruded powders

Have hardly any experience with ball powders but wouldn't be shy to try Tac, Leverrevolution, Staball match, CFE223, 2520. All of those should get you higher velocities than varget as well but might not be as consistent.

Now I need to google ball and extruded powders. This is a black hole…

 

[Lawnboi]

Now I need to google ball and extruded powders. This is a black hole…

You have no idea the size of the hole you’re walking into!

 

[willfrye027]

I have been playing around with a new to me harrells powder measure. So far it’s been throwing within .2-.3 grains on extruded powder and much better with ball powders. Planning to use lever in my .223 and never weigh charges…going with the theme of maximum shooting minimum cost and reloading time.

 

[SouthPaw]

I have been playing around with a new to me harrells powder measure. So far it’s been throwing within .2-.3 grains on extruded powder and much better with ball powders. Planning to use lever in my .223 and never weigh charges…going with the theme of maximum shooting minimum cost and reloading time.

I think I'm going to pick one up specifically to load XBR in the 223 for practice rounds. Would save a lot of time, for sure.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

if you want to throw charges and load progressive ball powder is the way to go. TAC throws to the same chargemaster weight every time from the press mounted, case actuated measure on my LNL AP.

 

[willfrye027]

I think I'm going to pick one up specifically to load XBR in the 223 for practice rounds. Would save a lot of time, for sure.

Seems like my older RCBS thrower was about the same accuracy but the harrells with the clicks and dial makes it very repeatable. I used it with some Varget, h3450, and rl16 and I’m sure it’ll be fine. I might trickle up on my manual scale for some of my 1000 yard type stuff but I doubt it makes much if any difference

 

[Pharmseller]

Benchmark, CCI400, Remington brass, 75 ELDM work very well for me.






P

 

[sveltri]

Couple ?'s 77 TMK How many have tried N540, I did with CCI#41 got crazy velocity without pressure but groups were bigger than I wanted. Just bought a brick of CCI 400's, also have Rem 7.5 and CCI 450 on hand? If readily available which is more preferred XBR or Benchmark?

 

[Hoove]

Seems like my older RCBS thrower was about the same accuracy but the harrells with the clicks and dial makes it very repeatable. I used it with some Varget, h3450, and rl16 and I’m sure it’ll be fine. I might trickle up on my manual scale for some of my 1000 yard type stuff but I doubt it makes much if any difference

I have the new style Uniflo and like it much better than the old one. I almost went Redding but cheaped out. So far very consistent with TAC CFE rifle and pistol, even Unique. But spot on with CFE 223.

 

[BjornF16]

Most 223 brass including Hornady has crimped primers.

Does that include the Black Hills ammo?

 

[Lawnboi]

Does that include the Black Hills ammo?

I’m not certain but I’d bet anything labeled 556 is crimped.

 

[logem]

Different powders are needed when trying to maximize velocities on 55gr, 69gr, and 77gr .223/5.56 loads. Be sure to recognize if you have a 5.56, wylde, or .223 barrel. They will handle different pressures. It is your responsibility to understand this.

I'm in the process of developing loads to replicate Lake City M193 (55gr FMJ) and IMI MK 262 Mod 1 (77gr SMK). To heck with accuracy. I want to duplicate military loads in my garage. I'm quite sure that accuracy will not suffer much, or any.

I'm using a 14.5" 5.56 SBR AR-15 for the development with a Labradar to measure velocity.

I am resizing with a Redding small base full length die. REM 7-1/2 primers, WCC brass.

Here's the mil-spec ammo velocities that I've measured in my 14.5" barrel with the Labradar:

Lake City M193, 55gr, FMJ (20 rounds): 3149 fps
IMI MK 262 Mod 1, 77gr, HPBT (5rounds): 2712 fps

For the 55gr FMJ max power blasting load, I cannot reach the Lake City velocity with Varget powder. I run out of case capacity at 27.4gr with a velocity of 3001 fps. So I gave up on Varget for 55gr target ammo and moved to H335. I'm still working upwards with H335 powder and have reached 3092 fps with 26.0 grains. I'm about to try 26.1 and then 26.2 grains of H335, and then stop, even if I don't see pressure signs.

77gr MK 262 Mod 1 loads have proven to be much easier to replicate. 24.9gr of Varget has produced an average velocity of 2715.83 fps with 10 rounds. 23.4gr of Alliant AR-Comp has resulted in 2710.39fps with 5 rounds. I am going to load more rounds of Varget and AR-Comp to establish accuracy and std-dev, but I got a 9.0 standard deviation with AR-comp so that may be the "go to" powder for 77gr match type bullets.

These loads are in excess of the existing manuals. Reloading manuals are based on .223 and not 5.56 max pressures. You are responsible for safe reloading. Do no duplicate these loads without working up to them with knowledge about pressure signs and your gun's chambering.

I'm editing this because the charges listed above for 77gr SMK with Varget and AR-Comp proved to be overpressure, resulting in blown primers and enlarged primer pockets. I've settled on 22.8gr of AR-Comp with 77gr SMK.

 

[Hoove]

I’m not certain but I’d bet anything labeled 556 is crimped.

A lot of 223 is crimped of late as well. I swage all of em.

 

[sveltri]

Couple ?'s 77 TMK How many have tried N540, I did with CCI#41 got crazy velocity without pressure but groups were bigger than I wanted. Just bought a brick of CCI 400's, also have Rem 7.5 and CCI 450 on hand? If readily available which is more preferred XBR or Benchmark?

Anyone???

 

[BjornF16]

I’m not certain but I’d bet anything labeled 556 is crimped.

Just checked...the BH I have is LC brass that is crimped...

I have hundreds of once fired BH LC brass...so, what is the best method to swage this brass?

 

[Lawnboi]

Just checked...the BH I have is LC brass that is crimped...

I have hundreds of once fired BH LC brass...so, what is the best method to swage this brass?

I bought a cheap rcbs cutter and just trimmed them one at a time.

You can cut the crimps out, or you can swags them.

I’m not the best resource for this because now I’d rather just recycle the brass than trim primer pockets again.