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Old 10-02-2012, 03:54 AM   #1
rman
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Default 1st stab at reloading the .223

Loaded up my first ever .223 rounds today. I didn't have any variety of components to work with. My other rifle powders are for the .243 Win and are too slow for the .223. The brass was once-fired factory Federal .223 loads with 55 gr hollow points. I didn't expect the primers to be crimped in, but of course they were. I had to order a primer pocket reamer - luckily it only took 3 days to get it.

Federal Cases
CCI 400 Primers
Hornady 55 Gr VMAX Bullets
Hodgdon H322 Powder
5 each: 21.0, 21.5, 22.0 and 22.5 Gr
COL 2.250"

21.0 Gr - Shots 1-3 were touching. Shot 4 was out of the group. Shot 5 was back in the group. Those 4 shots were in .25" 5 shots in 1.25"
21.5 Gr - No shots touching. 5 shots in 1.75"
22.0 Gr - Shots 1-4 were in .75" with 3 touching. Shot 5 spread group to 1.5"
22.5 Gr - No shots touching. 5 shots in 1.5"

Some day I will learn to shoot 3 shot groups instead of 5. 2 of these groups would have been exceptional for this rifle - DPMS M4 carbine, RRA NM trigger and Ergo grip, CenterPoint 4-16x scope. I need to retry these loads. What do you think Kansas - maybe a free float handguard, or leave well enough alone and learn to shoot better?
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Old 10-02-2012, 04:58 AM   #2
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Well, rman. I always feel that a free floated barrel is going to produce better results.
I have also found that more powder producing a faster round isn't always the way to go. What twist is your barrel and how far are you sighting in?
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Old 10-02-2012, 06:56 AM   #3
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Originally Posted by kansas45 View Post
Well, rman. I always feel that a free floated barrel is going to produce better results.
I have also found that more powder producing a faster round isn't always the way to go. What twist is your barrel and how far are you sighting in?
I agree with kansas rman, faster is not always better, and mostly harder on the equipment. The free float hand gaurd will help those groups. Also play with powder till you find one that your rifle likes.

Just my 2 cents worth.
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Old 10-02-2012, 12:20 PM   #4
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I use win 760 and win 748 in my 223 110 savage, 55gr bullet heads are a bit light but workable, try to get some 84 or 85 gr heads, they work a little better.
I use two molds for mind, one a pointed head with one lube groove on and one mold with round head with several grooves on, both work great, with winchester cases.

We used to use this cal in the forces with our sa80
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Old 10-02-2012, 12:58 PM   #5
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Thanks for the info. You guys are right, of course. I've loaded several thousand rounds of .243 ammo and my best shooting loads have always been from middle of the road to around a full grain below max. These .223 loads won't win any races. My starting load of 21.0 grains is probably going to be the most accurate. 22.0 grains also shot well. I reloaded 10 each of those 2 loads and 10 each using the same components, but H335 instead of H322, loaded at 21.5 and 22.5 grains. All these are well below max. My goal is accuracy, not speed.

The gun has a 5.56x45mm chamber rather than .223 Remington. I've read that the 5.56 has a longer throat - all other dimensions are the same. It has a 1 in 9" twist and is not chrome lined. (Standard old 16" DPMS M4 barrel) It is wearing a stock carbine foreend. I may have to invest in the tools so I can install a free-floating foreend. I'm shooting groups at 100 yards. I'm sighted in for about 1.5" above POA.
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Old 10-05-2012, 05:18 AM   #6
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Default .223

Quote:
I use win 760 and win 748 in my 223 110 savage, 55gr bullet heads are a bit light but workable, try to get some 84 or 85 gr heads, they work a little better.
I use two molds for mind, one a pointed head with one lube groove on and one mold with round head with several grooves on, both work great, with winchester cases.
Who makes 84-85 grain bullets for the .223 Remington? Cast bullets?
What is the twist rate of the rifling in the gun being used? Normally, the heavier bullets require twists at 1-8 or faster.
At what distance were the groups noted above shot?
Instead of going to three shot groups, try shooting 10 shot groups for a definitive look at what your gun likes to eat.
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Old 10-05-2012, 05:33 AM   #7
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At what distance were the groups noted above shot?
100 yards
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Old 12-01-2015, 07:27 PM   #8
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Originally Posted by rman View Post
Thanks for the info. You guys are right, of course. I've loaded several thousand rounds of .243 ammo and my best shooting loads have always been from middle of the road to around a full grain below max. These .223 loads won't win any races. My starting load of 21.0 grains is probably going to be the most accurate. 22.0 grains also shot well. I reloaded 10 each of those 2 loads and 10 each using the same components, but H335 instead of H322, loaded at 21.5 and 22.5 grains. All these are well below max. My goal is accuracy, not speed.

The gun has a 5.56x45mm chamber rather than .223 Remington. I've read that the 5.56 has a longer throat - all other dimensions are the same. It has a 1 in 9" twist and is not chrome lined. (Standard old 16" DPMS M4 barrel) It is wearing a stock carbine foreend. I may have to invest in the tools so I can install a free-floating foreend. I'm shooting groups at 100 yards. I'm sighted in for about 1.5" above POA.
Rman, i see you load/ have loaded for the 243win. Id like to make that my next project after the 660 rem in 308 is broken in and the new Rossi 45colt sees a round or two through it. The 243 would be a start from scratch project, no dies, brass etc yet. When i do, ill,be hitting you up for pointers.
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Old 12-01-2015, 08:06 PM   #9
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I have been pondering building another AR platform rifle. I've decided to do it in .243. I believe that 243 & 6mm are the same size, so I will be able to use the same bullets as I run in my 6mm RAT.
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Old 12-02-2015, 06:52 AM   #10
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Rman, i see you load/ have loaded for the 243win. Id like to make that my next project after the 660 rem in 308 is broken in and the new Rossi 45colt sees a round or two through it. The 243 would be a start from scratch project, no dies, brass etc yet. When i do, ill,be hitting you up for pointers.
I'd be glad to give you some of the load data I've developed over the years. There is no guarantee that the loads will be accurate in your rifle, but they will give you a place to start. There are a couple of powders I've worked with that seem to work pretty well in every .243 I've owned. Most of my reloading has been for varmints - 70 to 87 gr bullets.
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