loads for a 1:9" .223?

Pretty close.

For targets I like a 69gr SMK over 24.5gr TAC with a Fed 205M. Could be a hot load in some rifles. Not in mine.

For smaller critters I load 50gr BSTs over 25.5gr Benchmark with Fed 205Ms.

Just about any 55gr bullet will shoot well with about 25gr H335, TAC, 748, or Benchmark........
 
Alrighty all before i get more in depth in bullets heres a stupid question. I went out and raided our reloading room for reloading manuals. grabbed them all except for the one that my dad was using and they all seem to be fairly old (newest one my dad purchased back in '02). Would it be worth the money to get a new manual for the bullet i play on shooting? The manuals im looking in dont even list some of the bullets i wanted to try. We have one Hornady book that was printed back in 1980 we have 2 speer books one was from the late 70"s to early 80's other was from '94 and we had a nosler book that i couldnt find. Are there any manuals that will cover a few different bullets manufacturers so that i can maybe buy two manuals and have every bullet i want instead of 4 manuals from all of the different companies i want to try

And also are these little reloading manuals worth anything? This one We have one but im curious if they are any good?

And lastly what is probably going to be my most versatile powder? We have some IMR 3031 but it seems a lot of guys are shooting Varget, if you could only have one powder for your .223 loads what would it be?
 
Manuals are guidelines. Things haven't really changed that much. Older manuals still work. So do the little booklets. Lots of good info on the net too, from various manufacturers. I know you can load up Sierra's whole manual.

A new manual would be nice, but you can definitely get by without one also.

As for the 223, LOTS of powders work well. I like TAC very much lately. Burns very clean.

You can never go wrong with H335.

As far as Varget goes, it is better with the heavier bullets than the lighter ones.

Spin a Hornady 75gr BTHPM fast enough in a 1-9 twist and it will shoot well in some. 25gr Varget gets it done for me. Be careful and work up if you try it.

I'd never be able to limit myself to one powder.......
 
The old lady don't know how lucky she is.........
w00t.gif
 
Well maybe if i can find some of this Tac locally ill try some. If not itll be 3031 and H335.

And while im at it ill find some

40 grn V-Max for my little critters
55 or 60 grn Balstic Tips for the coyotes
and possibly the 69 grn HPBT (maybe)
 
Originally Posted By: the noobieAre the V-Max bullets and Nosler Balistic Tips pretty close to the same thing?

I think the Ballistic Tip Varmint is just a tad tougher bullet than the V-Max. The Ballistic Tip might exit when the V-Max won't.

As for powder 2MG covered that well. I really like TAC for the mid-weight bullets, meters like water, clean burning, efficient and easy to work with.
 
Originally Posted By: 2muchgunPersonally, I wouldn't even load 3031 if I had 335 on hand.

Good luck.....

Itll just depend on what i can find for sale locally if i cant find any 335 or Tac then itll be 3031.

Hopefully, i can make it to town this week and get bullets and start experimenting by the weekend
 
Originally Posted By: the noobieAre the V-Max bullets and Nosler Balistic Tips pretty close to the same thing?

Use whichever one will shoot better in your rifle, I doubt the target will ever know the difference.

For some reason, the V-Max shoots a lot better than anything else I've found, in my barrel.
 
Went to the range today to work on some loads for my M4 and Savage 12FV. These are from the Savage.....man, this rifle shoots.

A 3-shot group at 100yds from a rest. The load was 75gr Hornady BTHP, Remington brass, 22.0g H335, CCI 400 primers. I really need to try this at a range longer than 100 yards.

75gr_bthp_7_3_2001.jpg


This is a 12-15 (I forget) group using Hornady 55gr Vmax and 24.0gr H335. I could have tried harder for better grouping, but thunder was rolling in!!

55g_vmax_7_3_2011.jpg
 
I have a friend who shoots a bolt 223, and swears by 335.
My son has a Savage in 223, so I may be trying some soon after seeing the results ..
 
I've shot a lot of H-335. Just work your loads up in hot weather, because if you do it at Christmas, you may get a nasty surprise the next 4th of July.

It's not very temperature stable.

I also always use CCI 450 Mag. primers with 335. Speer recommends that combo.
 
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