223AI, 243 and 223

[KLS]

Did some ammo testing today my 223 AI loads with 52 gr and 53 gr hp ammo leaves the barrel at 3400 fps 20” barrel and produces some nice groups with 28 gr of Accurate 2230.

Tried some 243 75 gr VMax 46 gr of H4350 did 3400 fps out of my 20” barrel. Tried some H335 with 58 gr vmax but groups were atrocious.

Chronograph said 53 gr Hornady Superformance were 3600 fps out of Tikka 223

tried 62 gr ELD-VT needed to single feed them. Too long for Tikka mag. Hopefully AICS mag and they will work better.

Lots to learn and figure out. Open to suggestions. I should be a rocket surgeon by now with all the mistakes I’ve made….

 

[204 AR]

You're very much on the right track I think. I have some experience with those powders in those rounds.

2230 is good but try some 8208 or n133 in that AI, those gave me better groups with the 53 vmax.

My first reloading was for a 243, that was before Vmax but Hornady had a 75 gr hp. My load was 46 gr H4350, I had no chronograph (neither did anyone else lol). I've never gotten away from that powder, it just flat works. Some give better speeds but not by enough to matter to me. I did just get a pound of Staball 6.5 to try as it would be nice to throw charges instead of weighing them. I'm not holding my breath though. The only new wonder powder I've grown attached to is Lever in the 30-30. Well I guess you could add varget and benchmark to that list, I remember when they were the new wonder powders lol. Geez I make myself sound old but I'm only 52 but I've been at this for 36 years now.

The more I learn, the more I know that I don't know much.