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Hi all ! I'm looking for a 223 load for my ar colt with a 1-7 twist, and also my Ruger mini 14 also with a 1-7 twist. Does anyone have a good load. I'm getting tired of wasting powder and bullets. I know ,I must use a heavey bullet, but the powder is a problem.:confused:
G'day Mazz welcome to the Guide
How about a 55gn pill & Varget min 25.5 max 27.5 or H4895 min 25 max 26
Dave
I just started using Varget, but can't seem to get nothing under 1moa, these are match guns , and I'm shooting from a rest. I'm not and new shooter or reloader. But , I am a NRA instructor and know how to shoot.
MAZZ-
I don't do any .223, but my .222 really likes IMR 3031. I have to load w/a drop tube in order to get enough into the case though. Also your statement, "...must use a heavy bullet...", ought to be "...am able to...". I wouldn't try any of the real tiny ones in the 35-45 grain class, but you should be fine @ 50+. Sorry I couldn't have been more help, hang in there & keep playing around with it, you'll find a good load eventually. Take care
-Klaus
Mazz,
I shoot a Bushmaster with a 1-9 twist barrel, using 25.5 gr. of Reloder 15 and the Sierra 69 gr. Matchking, shoots 1/2 moa. Recently I'vr been experimenting with the Hornady 75 gr. BTHP Match bullet (NOT the AMAX), 24.0 gr. Reloder 15 gives me 1/2 moa and better long range (600 yd.) performance. For a coyote load I use 25.0 gr. of Accurate Arms 2230 and a Honrady 55 gr soft point. That load gives 3/4 moa in my rifle, but I'm not sure your 1-7 twist is gonna' like that lightweight bullet. The two match loads should work well in your gun, though. Most of the guys I shoot with/against use the 69 Sierra/25.5 RE-15 @ 200 and 300 yards in their match rifles with good results in their 1-7 and 1-8 twist barrels. With your twist rate, you should be able to shoot the Hornady AMAX and the 77/80 gr. Sierra's with no problem, again, Reloder 15 would be my first choice of powder. Hope this info is helpful!
Good shooting!
centershot
One load that works in every .223 I've ever tried it in, regardless of barrel twist, is any 52 or 53 grain match bullet, CCI primers, 26.5gr 748, in Winchester brass. If a rifle will not shoot well with this, it won't shoot with anything. So long as other bands of brass weigh about the same, you can substitute here. This load is somewhat wind sensitive beyond 100 yards.
In 1:7 twist AR's, the best I've found is 69 Sierra or 68 Hornady bullets, Winchester primers, 24.3gr IMR 4895, Winchester brass. This will shoot groups about 1.25" at 200 yards through a match-prep'ed AR.
I have no experience with Mini 14's.
Study your head postitioning with respect to the rear sight when studying AR grouping ability. With AR's it is particularly difficult to get your head in the same location and position for each shot. With the M14 and M1 I was always able to achieve consistent head postion through wrapping my right thumb over the wrist of the stock and putting my cheek bone on top of it (it hurt a little and I got a small cheek and lip bruise but that's a small price to pay). With AR's, consistent head positioning is only achievable through putting the left knob of the charging handle in your right nostril (or something similar), then holding your head at the same angle. It sounds more difficult than it is. If you don't have a handguard float tube, you need to be consistent about sling tension.
Regards,
CDD
23.6 gr N135, Rem 7 1/2 primer, LC brass, Sierra 77 grain or Hornady 75 grain bullets, works for me. 23.6 grains of H4895 works well also.
Cheers,
Phil
I have a old Remington 788 in 223, with a 1/14 twist, And The heavyest thing that it will stablelize is a 60gn. I have never really played with jacketed bullets, but my dad is a custum bullet caster, so I shoot alot of cast. My faverant all round small game load is 18.9gn of H-4895 with a 55gn cast CBE fngc and bullshop speed green lube. The velosity is around 2390 fps. My faverant varmit load is 11.0gn of long shot with a 55gn cast Lyman fngc and bullshop speed greed lube. the velosity is about 2739 fps. the first load will usly shoot under 1/2 inch, the the varmit load under a inch at 100 yards. in my load recerd book here, the heavyest bullet it shows that I tryed was a 60gn cast, But I know that one time I tryed a 75gn cast, and at 100 yards it would bounce off of the balloons that I had tied on strings in the brush. I have a leapers 3-9X42 mil-dot stile scope on the rifle. hope this helps.
DANIEL/BS JR.
I have a Bushmaster DCM, 1 in 8 twist. "The Load" for this rifle is a moly'ed Sierra 77 grainer on top of 24.5 grains of Varget. To keep it to mag length I have to use a drop tube and it is a compressed load. It will stay under 1/2 moa out as far as I can see. I would work up from 23 grains and see what your rifle likes. You may also want to think about adding a 1/2 ounce or so of wieght to your bolt carrier if you push things this far with the 77 grainers and slow powders. Unfortunately my current residence in combination with my old eyes really is limiting my high power opportunities. I may flat top the DCM and put some glass on it.
BD