223 Velocties with the 53gr Vmax???

J

Jay Cummings

New member
I was curious what kind of real world velocities you guys are getting with the 53gr in the 223. My AR is a 24" and I was doing some loading yesterday with some mixed brass that a friend gave me. I have some good LC brass on the way but I just wanted to get an idea of how the rifle was gonna shoot. Loaded up some old Hornady 55gr SX bullets that have been on the shelf for 15yrs and threw in 25.5gr of H4895 and 26.0gr of H4895. These were the first rounds ever fired in this new AR. Both groups 3/4"-1" for 5 shots. I was actually impressed with the velocity, 3200-3300fps. This is my 1st 223 and I really didnt expect this. Both loads seemed mild as the primers were not flat at all. I really think I could go up but I can't get any more 4895 in the case w/o a drop tube.

I hope to try the 53gr vmax when my new brass shows up. If the 55gr were hitting 3200-3300 I'm hoping a bit more for the 53.
 
Even if they don't go faster they will do better because of higher bc. I would also suggest that you try the varget or super performance powder.. You should be able to get sub .5moa groups.
 
Originally Posted By: Tbone-AZEven if they don't go faster they will do better because of higher bc. I would also suggest that you try the varget or super performance powder.. You should be able to get sub .5moa groups.

If you think it was hard to get enough H4895 in your case wait til you try Varget. The Superformance powder is also way too slow burning for the .223 case as well. There is a reason there is no loading data for it in .223 with 55gr bullets.
Top speeds will come with powders like N133/XTerminator/Benchmark/H335/CFE223/XBR8208
 
Originally Posted By: venaticOriginally Posted By: Tbone-AZEven if they don't go faster they will do better because of higher bc. I would also suggest that you try the varget or super performance powder.. You should be able to get sub .5moa groups.

If you think it was hard to get enough H4895 in your case wait til you try Varget. The Superformance powder is also way too slow burning for the .223 case as well. There is a reason there is no loading data for it in .223 with 55gr bullets.
Top speeds will come with powders like N133/XTerminator/Benchmark/H335/CFE223/XBR8208

+1

If you can find any N-135 with a thick cup primer, you will stomp all over 3400 with the 55g with great accuracy. Next will be H335 with velocity and accuracy. Then you enter with a buch of powders that will all be about the same speed with accuracy, H322, benchmark, etc.

H335 is found everywhere and cheap, great barrel life with this powder also...that is why the military uses it. I am not familiar with Xterminator, so I can't comment on how it performs.

Your 24" barrel on your AR is not very common, I would love to follow your development with your rifle.
 
I am going to have to give the N135 a try in my 26 inch barreled .223. I have about 1/2 a can left from playing with it in the 17 Remington.
 
I have been through 5 years of load development with the 24 inch, 1/8 twist AR barrels, and here is my all-time best load. I didn't get significant down-range performance from trying for the fastest or lighter bullets on P-Dogs or coyotes. I'm not saying it's the best load for your particular rifle, but it may give you a head-start at developing your own best load. Start .5 grains below the listed load and work up. I doubt you will have any over-pressure signs with this load. My top priority is accuracy over velocity. I have not been impressed with H335 or BLC-2, and I have no data on XBR 8208. Varget gets to be pain with compressed loads, but some good results are possible. Xterminator works well too and is worth a try.

60 grain Hornady V-Max
24.6 grains Benchmark (Max load for AR-15 / Sierra Data)
CCI BR-4 Primer
Win or LC Uniformed cases
COAL = 2.260
3,120 fps from 24 in. Wilson Stainless Barrel

Five shot groups typically .250-.375 (under ideal conditions) at 100 meters.
 
I have been loading 55 grain v-max for .223 with the relative new Hogdon CFE.223 for prairie dogs. I loaded them to 3000fps levels (actually cant recall the load offhand) and they were more than adequate for the dogs. Small targets and consistant hits out to 400 yards in my AR using a Burris Eliminator scope. My barrels are both 1 in 9 twist.
 


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