223 bullets

53 gr VMax and 55 gr Nosler BT's run about 16 cents each. the hornady 55 gr SP can be had for about 10 cents or a bit less.

I've used Hornady SP's before in 30-06 and found them accurate and effective on deer. I'm going to buy some 55 gr ones in .224 and work up some loads for a couple of rifles just to see how they do in them. One is a 1/7 twist, the other 1/8. I expect they'll do fine for 2/3 the cost of the bullets I'm using now.
 
I agree with Stu, Hornady 50 and 55gr SP have shot great for me. I've wasted a lot of time and powder trying to get some fancy tipped bullets to shoot as well as those cheap ones do.

I've heard good things about the 60gr Vmax, I've not been very happy with the 53gr vmax, but those extra few grains may punch through the shoulder a little better though.

I'm hunting with 65gr SMK this winter, I've gotten runners with them but they dont go far and a blind man could sniff out the massive blood trails left behind. They have the penetration I want and they aren't blowing massive holes on the exits plus with CFE223 they are crazy accurate and from the range drops I'm getting the velocities are way high for a 16" barrel.
 
I haven't done much testing with them because they were going to just be a cheap plinking load. I made a few different loads with CCI400 primers and H335, I think the 55s were shooting under 3/4", and that's with a 1-4x VXR with a larger than 1MOA crosshair. With that scope really trying to get groups is tough.

I've settled on the 50gr SP because they were shooting just over 1/2" and they are the cheapest box of 100 .224 bullets at my local shop. I try to load an extra 50 or 100 more than I shoot a month so I have a small stock pile of plinking ammo.
 
Originally Posted By: Stu Farishwhat powders have you had the best accuracy with for the Hornady 55 gr SP?


I'm a new reloader, but my AR with a 1-8 twist 18" barrel shot that exact bullet with three touching using Benchmark.
 
I ordered 500 as I've been wanting to try them any way, but it will be a while before I'll be able to load & shoot any. I'm about to have an elbow operated on and was told I won't be able to lift anything heavier than a glass of water for about 3 months. So I have time to figure out what loads I'll try & be ready to go when I can.

I already use Benchmark, as well as several other powders that would work for this.
 
Benchmark is the most accurate that I have found for the 223. H4895 is nearly as accurate pushing 100fps faster.

Ramshot exterminator is another powder that gives decent results.

Cfe223 posts good results when compressed, it's one of those weird powders that the groups get smaller with pressure.

If all of the powders that I have tested for 223 H4895 is my favorite.
 
I've seen great things and horrendous things with CFE223. I have a black hole weaponry barrel that really keeps pressures low, with 53 vmax and CFE I couldn't get under 10 inch groups and some were 14+", astounding really.

On the flip side though I got some 65 SMK to try with CFE and in my first test batch one of the loads had all the bullet holes touching and when I got some drops out to 300 yards it indicated I was getting speeds in excess of 3100fps with a 16" barrel, again astounded.

CFE223 has been the dirtiest powder I have ever used and if you keep a round chambered for a couple days in a fouled rifle the brass and bullet start to tarnish, along with some of the top rounds in your magazine.

CFE they say is short for Copper Fouling Eraser, Carbon Fouling Explosion would be just as suitable.
 
Already using Benchmark for multiple loads & like it. Think I'll try that first & see what sort of groups I can get with it.
 
Originally Posted By: Stu FarishAlready using Benchmark for multiple loads & like it. Think I'll try that first & see what sort of groups I can get with it.


I have shot 1,000's of the Hornady 55gr sp at pdogs. I've never had much trouble finding a decent load for them. IMR 4166, H335, H4895, CFE223, BL-C2 have all worked well. I have generally picked a charge weight about a grain under max then played with OAL some.
 
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