Loads for .223 Rem

https://Immersive-optics.com/
scrumbag

scrumbag

Well-Known Member
Hello folks,

I'm starting to enjoy the flexibility of reloading and finding out what a rifle can do when you can step away from factory offerings.

I've been playing around with the .223 (1:9 twist) quite a lot due to the sheer amount of load data and projectiles available

So, I have a couple of loads I like

1) Small deer load

For muntjac and Chinese Water Deer (and Scottish Roe if I get the chance) I quite like a heavier soft point bullet (this is after good experiences with the Federal Fusion 62gr bullet. Shoots well and good on game performancde but harder to get locally).

So my preferred load is a Sierra 65gr Gameking with just under 26gr of Ramshot TAC.

2) Plinking round

This if for 100yd multi-position and running target.

For this I use 55 gr Hornady FMJ BT (The "inexpensive" bullet that comes in the 500rd Bulk Pack) with just over 25gr of TAC. With a crimp it does a bit under 1.5" groups with a thrown charge which is certainly good enough for those purposes.

(Has anyone tried the 62gr Hornady FMJ BT? Looks interesting with the 1:9 twist).

3) Varmint Round

I reckon the 65gr GK load might be a bit hard for foxes and pencil through so I was wondering about "Varmint" load

Anyone have any suggestions? Is it worth going super light and super fast or is it worth going something like a 60gr V-Max or Berger to take advantage of the twist?

4) Longer Range Target Round

Was thinking one of the 68 / 69 / 70 gr bullets (Probably not ballistic tipped) so BTHP.
Any particular difference between the 68gr Hornady, 69gr Sierra / Lapua offerings or the Nosler 70gr RDF?

5) Non-lead Deer Load

So, it seems Non-lead is becoming more of a thing whether we like it or not.

Wondering if anyone has developed a small deer load they like for .223 Rem

I've loaded up some 55gr GMX and looking for a report (@Kalahari )

Anyone had better luck with other things? I have a part box of 55gr Fox to try (If @Edinburgh Rifles ever gets back to me with load data). Would like to try the Nosler E-Tip but they seem to be like hens teeth. I have heard some worrying things about Barnes not expanding so well so perhaps not so keen on those. Anyone tried Peregrines?

Thoughts very welcome.

Powder

I started using Ramshot TAC as a couple of years ago when I started reloading a couple of years ago had data for pretty much anything I wanted to load.

It's a ball powder so some say it is difficult to get ignited (And in some lighter loads I have noticed a sooty case) but I will say it goes through a powder thrower nicely.
Also some say it's a bit temperature sensitive but given I would guess the vast majority of UK shooting occurs between 5 and 20C I'm not sure how relevant it is.

Has anyone noticed that N133 / 135 / 140 to be a better performer? (Sadly you'd give up the nice metering properties of course).

Primers

Currently I am using Magtech S&B small rifle primers. Would it be worth stepping up to a Magnum Small Rifle Primer?

Anyway, thoughts are much appreciated!

Scrummy
 
I have a 1:8 twist barrel and currently using 60gr STMK with good effect. I can only shoot out too 300m but accuracy is very good with 23.9gr of RS40 and CCI BR4 primers in lapua brass.

I have made up a load of 62gr TTSX lead free rounds that I tinkered with, again accuracy was very good and I was using 23.2gr RS40.

I will be looking to develop a load with 50gr STMK or Hornady ELD for a faster flatter varmint/foxing round in the new year though.
 
The 50 grain Barnes TTSX/TSX has killed Red stags in NZ out of a .222, so make sure you have those loads tuned up to the max when shooting our iron-clad roe deer!

1:9 seems like a sensible twist rate, but you don't say what rifle you are shooting them out of? This matter due to COAL (cartridge over all length) limitations of the magazine.

I will refer you to this thread on the NZ forums :https://www.nzhuntingandshooting.co.nz/f12/223-deer-64884/

The topic has been discussed in depth on there, and inaccessibility of non-REACH powders aside, it is very informative.

But I do fear it may cause some over here to spill their tea!
 
Defintely N130 or N133 and a 50g-55g bullet.

You will not go wrong with the flat based 53grain .224 Nosler Varmegeddon. Cheap and scarily accurate. Puts bigs holes in pests and who doesn't like a mean black tipped bullet?
 
DVS1 said:
I have a 1:8 twist barrel and currently using 60gr STMK with good effect. I can only shoot out too 300m but accuracy is very good with 23.9gr of RS40 and CCI BR4 primers in lapua brass.

I have made up a load of 62gr TTSX lead free rounds that I tinkered with, again accuracy was very good and I was using 23.2gr RS40.

I will be looking to develop a load with 50gr STMK or Hornady ELD for a faster flatter varmint/foxing round in the new year though.
Click to expand...
Thanks for this.

I have had good luck with the Sierra TMK in my 7x64 so might be worth a look wondering how long the 69gr TMK is as I struggled with the 73gr Hornady ELD-M.

Didn't realise there was a 60gr TMK though, could be interesting
 
scrumbag said:
Thanks for this.

I have had good luck with the Sierra TMK in my 7x64 so might be worth a look wondering how long the 69gr TMK is as I struggled with the 73gr Hornady ELD-M.

Didn't realise there was a 60gr TMK though, could be interesting
Click to expand...
I originally loaded 69gr STMK with 22.4gr of RS40 and was very happy with the accuracy but also wanted something with a little less trajectory for night time foxy. Like you I never realised they did a 60gr until I thought it was a typo! lol

Henry Krank or Spud reloading sells them but unsure if they have stock in at the moment.

Results on fox are good, although sometimes never leave body (front on shot) and understandably the exits aren't as catastrophic at a 50gr bullet but still big enough to let foxy know he's missing vital anatomy parts.
 
65gr Sierra Gamekings, 22gr of N133. 2850fps out of a Tikka T3X. Very accurate and drops Scottish Roe on the spot. I don't shoot long distance but not had a problem shooting Roe out to 250yds
 
scrumbag said:
Hello folks,

I'm starting to enjoy the flexibility of reloading and finding out what a rifle can do when you can step away from factory offerings.

I've been playing around with the .223 (1:9 twist) quite a lot due to the sheer amount of load data and projectiles available

So, I have a couple of loads I like

1) Small deer load

For muntjac and Chinese Water Deer (and Scottish Roe if I get the chance) I quite like a heavier soft point bullet (this is after good experiences with the Federal Fusion 62gr bullet. Shoots well and good on game performancde but harder to get locally).

So my preferred load is a Sierra 65gr Gameking with just under 26gr of Ramshot TAC.

2) Plinking round

This if for 100yd multi-position and running target.

For this I use 55 gr Hornady FMJ BT (The "inexpensive" bullet that comes in the 500rd Bulk Pack) with just over 25gr of TAC. With a crimp it does a bit under 1.5" groups with a thrown charge which is certainly good enough for those purposes.

(Has anyone tried the 62gr Hornady FMJ BT? Looks interesting with the 1:9 twist).

3) Varmint Round

I reckon the 65gr GK load might be a bit hard for foxes and pencil through so I was wondering about "Varmint" load

Anyone have any suggestions? Is it worth going super light and super fast or is it worth going something like a 60gr V-Max or Berger to take advantage of the twist?

4) Longer Range Target Round

Was thinking one of the 68 / 69 / 70 gr bullets (Probably not ballistic tipped) so BTHP.
Any particular difference between the 68gr Hornady, 69gr Sierra / Lapua offerings or the Nosler 70gr RDF?

5) Non-lead Deer Load

So, it seems Non-lead is becoming more of a thing whether we like it or not.

Wondering if anyone has developed a small deer load they like for .223 Rem

I've loaded up some 55gr GMX and looking for a report (@Kalahari )

Anyone had better luck with other things? I have a part box of 55gr Fox to try (If @Edinburgh Rifles ever gets back to me with load data). Would like to try the Nosler E-Tip but they seem to be like hens teeth. I have heard some worrying things about Barnes not expanding so well so perhaps not so keen on those. Anyone tried Peregrines?

Thoughts very welcome.

Powder

I started using Ramshot TAC as a couple of years ago when I started reloading a couple of years ago had data for pretty much anything I wanted to load.

It's a ball powder so some say it is difficult to get ignited (And in some lighter loads I have noticed a sooty case) but I will say it goes through a powder thrower nicely.
Also some say it's a bit temperature sensitive but given I would guess the vast majority of UK shooting occurs between 5 and 20C I'm not sure how relevant it is.

Has anyone noticed that N133 / 135 / 140 to be a better performer? (Sadly you'd give up the nice metering properties of course).

Primers

Currently I am using Magtech S&B small rifle primers. Would it be worth stepping up to a Magnum Small Rifle Primer?

Anyway, thoughts are much appreciated!

Scrummy
Click to expand...
Seems you've got it sorted out. As to the magnum primers, you could, but I'm not certain you'd get anything. Ball powder is sooty regardless of how it's torched. I like S&B primers. (Sadly, not imported to the US anymore and I'm down to 16,000)
For varmints try the Nosler 50 or 55 grain ballistic tip. I load them from my 223s (1:8) and they shoot great. I have used them out to 450 on prairiedogs.~Muir
 
Cottis said:
Defintely N130 or N133 and a 50g-55g bullet.

You will not go wrong with the flat based 53grain .224 Nosler Varmegeddon. Cheap and scarily accurate. Puts bigs holes in pests and who doesn't like a mean black tipped bullet?
Click to expand...

Thank you, good to know. I do like Nosler projectiles
 
caberslash said:
The 50 grain Barnes TTSX/TSX has killed Red stags in NZ out of a .222, so make sure you have those loads tuned up to the max when shooting our iron-clad roe deer!

1:9 seems like a sensible twist rate, but you don't say what rifle you are shooting them out of? This matter due to COAL (cartridge over all length) limitations of the magazine.

I will refer you to this thread on the NZ forums :223 on deer

The topic has been discussed in depth on there, and inaccessibility of non-REACH powders aside, it is very informative.

But I do fear it may cause some over here to spill their tea!
Click to expand...

Hi Caberslash,

I shall have a read and thanks,

I'm actually worried about the Barnes being a bit hard for our soft roe / muntjac rather than the other way around. Nathan Forster out of NZ had some concerns using them on goats with a similar body size and not getting expansion.

The rifle is a CZ 527. With the 65 gr Sierra Gameking about 20 thou off the lands it is about magazine length so the very long, tipped bullets tend to be sat a bit far back in the case.

Scrummy
 
Flyer4u0 said:
65gr Sierra Gamekings, 22gr of N133. 2850fps out of a Tikka T3X. Very accurate and drops Scottish Roe on the spot. I don't shoot long distance but not had a problem shooting Roe out to 250yds
Click to expand...
That's good to know.

I've had good results with the 65 gr Sierra SBT on good sized munty and CWD bucks so didn't think the step up in size would be an issue but confirmation always nice ;)
 
DVS1 said:
I originally loaded 69gr STMK with 22.4gr of RS40 and was very happy with the accuracy but also wanted something with a little less trajectory for night time foxy. Like you I never realised they did a 60gr until I thought it was a typo! lol

Henry Krank or Spud reloading sells them but unsure if they have stock in at the moment.

Results on fox are good, although sometimes never leave body (front on shot) and understandably the exits aren't as catastrophic at a 50gr bullet but still big enough to let foxy know he's missing vital anatomy parts.
Click to expand...
Great stuff, thank you.
 
Muir said:
Seems you've got it sorted out. As to the magnum primers, you could, but I'm not certain you'd get anything. Ball powder is sooty regardless of how it's torched. I like S&B primers. (Sadly, not imported to the US anymore and I'm down to 16,000)
For varmints try the Nosler 50 or 55 grain ballistic tip. I load them from my 223s (1:8) and they shoot great. I have used them out to 450 on prairiedogs.~Muir
Click to expand...
Thanks Muir.

Didn't realise ball powders were always sooty, just understood they were harder to ignite.

Seems to be quite a collective view going that Nosler bullets are the thing.

Scrummy
 
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