Favorite 223 loads

[Faedy]

Im just about to load up the first batch of 223 ammo for my Sauer 202 rifle.
Ive got vmax 55gn and 60gn proj to start off with - I mainly target roos and foxes to 250m
Brass is ADI from my once fired Buffalo River ammo.
Can anyone suggest loads to start off with/ work to -
Feel free to suggest better proj as well

[flutch]

my loads for 223 55gn

Full length resize (old man sometimes pinches ammo for his model 70)
55gn Varmaggeddon ballistic tip
25gn ADI 2206H
CCI magnum small rifle primers.

chrono'd out of my howa at 3360fps and hits clover leaf groups.

[9.3x64]

I have had a lot of success with 25.8 grains of 2208 and the 60 grain Nosler ballistic tip in my Blaser R8, which is the same barrel as the 202.

[SCJ429]

You will get the best speeds from 2206h and 2208. Start 10% low and work up, the best way to do this is a ladder test where you load only one round of each charge weight. Stop when you see pressure signs. Don't throw together a load based on some nameless faceless person on the internet like me.

That said you should find a node somewhere between 26 and 27 grains of 2208 for your 60 grain projectiles. Perhaps a little more for the 55's The 223 is a pretty easy to load for case.

I don't think you will find a better projectile for foxes than a Vmax. Good luck with your loading.

[AZZA'S HJ47]

Hard to go past the super roo 23g of 8208 have shot some critters with this load. Have also had great success with the 62g tap soft point and the same powder charge.

[JimTom]

Mate I have success with 55gn ZMax and BM8208.

[in2anity]

Hard to go past the super roo 23g of 8208 have shot some critters with this load. Have also had great success with the 62g tap soft point and the same powder charge.

Sorry to hijack, but AZZA have you ever tried AR2206H under the 62gr tap? What are your honest groups with 8208 under the 62g tap?

[Faedy]

Just getting back into reloading after a 30 yrs break. s**t its changed. Im reloading for my Sauer .223 atm. In the old days we sized a case, slipped a proj into it and chambered it, then put in the super simplex reloader, screwed the die down 1/16 of a turn and we were set to forget. Ive read all stuff saying set em up 5 thou off landings, so tonight I size a case, slide a vmax 55gn proj into it, chamber, then using calipers seated it 5th deeper. I then measured it using a hornady bullet comparator, then measured an OSA 55gn Blitzking. My seated cartridge was 2.23mm longer. Does this seem too long?(got heaps of mag space) A quick check shows that proj is seated entire length of neck so Im thinking its ok. Thoughts?? Cheers all.

[Oldbloke]

You just have to woek up your own load.

FYI 23.5 gr AR2208 55gr hornady.
Marlin XS BA. .7 moa.

Have tested 55gr super roos 23.7 AR2208 .6 moa

Both very mild.

[SCJ429]

Just getting back into reloading after a 30 yrs break. s**t its changed. Im reloading for my Sauer .223 atm. In the old days we sized a case, slipped a proj into it and chambered it, then put in the super simplex reloader, screwed the die down 1/16 of a turn and we were set to forget. Ive read all stuff saying set em up 5 thou off landings, so tonight I size a case, slide a vmax 55gn proj into it, chamber, then using calipers seated it 5th deeper. I then measured it using a hornady bullet comparator, then measured an OSA 55gn Blitzking. My seated cartridge was 2.23mm longer. Does this seem too long?(got heaps of mag space) A quick check shows that proj is seated entire length of neck so Im thinking its ok. Thoughts?? Cheers all.

Factory ammo has to chamber in everyone's rifle and fit into every magazine. If yours will chamber you are good to go. You are only limited by you magazine length. Reloading is as complicated as you want to make it. Replace the primer, size the neck and seat the projectile. All the rest is up to you.

[in2anity]

My seated cartridge was 2.23mm longer. Does this seem too long?(got heaps of mag space) A quick check shows that proj is seated entire length of neck so Im thinking its ok. Thoughts?? Cheers all.

If it's too long, it'll be too long. If the round feeds and chambers reliably, you're good to go. In terms of seating depth, if you're unsure about where to start, a good rule of thumb is "one bullet diameter" of depth.

[AZZA'S HJ47]

Hard to go past the super roo 23g of 8208 have shot some critters with this load. Have also had great success with the 62g tap soft point and the same powder charge.

Sorry to hijack, but AZZA have you ever tried AR2206H under the 62gr tap? What are your honest groups with 8208 under the 62g tap?

Have never tried 2206 i have had no issue with shooting half inch groups with 8208 @ 100. Ill have to try some 2206h at some point i spose.

[Cooper]

Hard to go past the super roo 23g of 8208 have shot some critters with this load. Have also had great success with the 62g tap soft point and the same powder charge.

Run the same load in my Howa mini action. Hornady 62 TAP and 23 gr 8208. Found it be chance. Thought I’d try 8208, because it was a 60gr plus projectile decided to be a bit safe and start at 23gr. Normally with 55 gr I’d probably start at 24gr (2206H or 2208). Easiest load development I’ve done.

[TassieTiger]

Your rifle will shoot what it shoots...however;
Ive only used 2206H;
23.5 with 62gn tap is best grouping ive ever shot - all in one hole.
24.5 with 55gn and 24.0 with 60gn still shoot 1/2 inch.

[Faedy]

Well 27gn ADI 2208 worked fine for all 55gn proj with no excess pressure signs
Gotta play with seating depths a bit as 10 thou of lands with ogive measurements left Vmax shooting like a handful of s**t.
Sierra h/p were pin point on at 10thou
I reloaded a selection of seating depth Vmax tonight to try tomorrow.

[Peter988]

Just getting back into reloading after a 30 yrs break. s**t its changed. Im reloading for my Sauer .223 atm. In the old days we sized a case, slipped a proj into it and chambered it, then put in the super simplex reloader, screwed the die down 1/16 of a turn and we were set to forget. Ive read all stuff saying set em up 5 thou off landings, so tonight I size a case, slide a vmax 55gn proj into it, chamber, then using calipers seated it 5th deeper. I then measured it using a hornady bullet comparator, then measured an OSA 55gn Blitzking. My seated cartridge was 2.23mm longer. Does this seem too long?(got heaps of mag space) A quick check shows that proj is seated entire length of neck so Im thinking its ok. Thoughts?? Cheers all.

Yes - I’ve found the same with my Sauer 223. They must have a deep throated breech. I get great results with 23.5 of 8208 behind the 55 gr roo load.