Getting ready to load .223 Rem for bolt gun

Ike666 · June 15, 2011, 03:52 PM

I've just acquired a CZ 527 American. It has a 22 inch barrel with 1:12 twist.

My interest, at least initially, is accuracy target shooting out to 300 yds. Although most will be at 100 & 200 yds until I learn the gun.

What are some good recipes for .223 Remington loads for this configuration?

Any recommendations for bullet, case, primer, and powder would be greatly appreciated.

snuffy · June 15, 2011, 04:02 PM

In general, don't go OVER 55 grains in bullet weight. It MAY stabilize a 60 grain flat based bullet, but only marginally and only at max velocity.

Otherwise most any powder that is out there for .223 will work.

Ike666 · June 15, 2011, 04:12 PM

I was thinking about starting to work up some loads for the Sierra 52 gn MatchKing.

I was also thinking maybe some of the 50-ish Hrndy VMAXs.

I really like the way H335 and 4895 works in my AR, so that might be good starting point.

Since slamfires are not an issue I was thinking of Remington starters, maybe even some softie Federals - I usually use the CCI milspecs for my AR but don't think I need that hardness here.

Jim243 · June 18, 2011, 09:01 PM

Ike, use the H-335 and stay under 55 grains as snuffy said. The 52 are great as well as the 53 HP's, A-Max in 50 and 55 will do very well as well.

If your into experementation you could try IMR 8208 XBR but be carefull it is just a little hotter than H-335. But you will like the results.

Jim

223 shooter · June 19, 2011, 09:02 AM

Quote:

I was thinking about starting to work up some loads for the Sierra 52 gn MatchKing.

That is where I would start too. I've used the 52 Sierra with excellent results in my 700LTR (1 in 9") , 700 SPS Varmint and TC Super 14 Contender. H335 and VV N-133 deliver great accuracy with the 52 in my experience.

m&p45acp10+1 · June 19, 2011, 09:30 AM

A 55 grain bullet. (have a liking for hornady v- max) with about 25 grains of H-335, and every primer I have used so far. Has given good results from 6 different rifles from AR platform to a single shot Rossi. Just remember to work up to that load, and back off at the first signs of over pressure.

From my Savage that load will give a one hole group if I do my part.

**Unclenick** · June 19, 2011, 11:07 AM

I've found the 53 grain MatchKing to be a tack driver in 12" twist, but I run mostly Reloader 10X over 205M primers with it these days. The two 4198's are great accuracy powders in this bullet weight range, but usually sacrifice a little off top velocity.

As far as stability goes, bullet length is more important than weight, and weight is more important than velocity, but all have their effect. Because length is most important, you can shoot the stubbier flat base bullets heavier. The flat base 60, 62, and 64 grain Bergers all have 12" listed as their recommended barrel twist rate. The BC of the 64, is as good as boattail 55's due to its extra weight. Flat bases are usually a little easier to get tight groups with, so, in your shoes, I'd start there.

Dapperdan · June 19, 2011, 12:10 PM

Lately I've been using 50 gr. Hornady V-Max and 24 grs. IMR or H4895 with anybody's primer. We shoot a Remington 700 SPS with a 3x9 scope and it will print 3 shot groups under 1/2" at 100 yds. Don't know what rate of twist the barrel is. Gun belongs to a friend, but it's not a heavy barrel varmint style.

Prof Young · June 19, 2011, 04:24 PM

When I started reloading my 223 it was the first rifle ammunition I reloaded and I quickly leaned how important it was to LUBE THE CASE!!
But if you already reload other rifle rounds, you probably already know that.
Live well, be safe
Prof Young

jhansman · June 19, 2011, 10:25 PM

I use H322 in my 1:12 .223 bolt rifle with a 60 gr bullet, but so far only at 100 yds.; very accurate, but I will probably go to a lighter bullet when I start working up my 200 yd. load.

B-RAD · June 20, 2011, 06:31 PM

I shoot .223 with a 1-14 twist 24" barrel.

Check out my reloading data so far...

Cooper Load Data

I think you will find some good starting points as alot of people are shooting tighter twists than us.

Good thing for you most reloading manuals are for a 1-12 twist.

While I'm here - I'll ask for some help with Ar-15 Loads.

Here is what I have so far. AR-15 Load Data

June 15, 2011, 03:52 PM	#1
Ike666 Senior Member Join Date: October 10, 2009 Location: SW VA Posts: 491	Getting ready to load .223 Rem for bolt gun I've just acquired a CZ 527 American. It has a 22 inch barrel with 1:12 twist. My interest, at least initially, is accuracy target shooting out to 300 yds. Although most will be at 100 & 200 yds until I learn the gun. What are some good recipes for .223 Remington loads for this configuration? Any recommendations for bullet, case, primer, and powder would be greatly appreciated. __________________ ___________________ "I'm your huckleberry."

June 15, 2011, 04:02 PM	#2
snuffy Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2001 Location: Oshkosh wi. Posts: 3,055	In general, don't go OVER 55 grains in bullet weight. It MAY stabilize a 60 grain flat based bullet, but only marginally and only at max velocity. Otherwise most any powder that is out there for .223 will work. __________________ The more people I meet, the more I love my dog They're going to get their butts kicked over there this election. How come people can't spell and use words correctly?

June 15, 2011, 04:12 PM	#3
Ike666 Senior Member Join Date: October 10, 2009 Location: SW VA Posts: 491	I was thinking about starting to work up some loads for the Sierra 52 gn MatchKing. I was also thinking maybe some of the 50-ish Hrndy VMAXs. I really like the way H335 and 4895 works in my AR, so that might be good starting point. Since slamfires are not an issue I was thinking of Remington starters, maybe even some softie Federals - I usually use the CCI milspecs for my AR but don't think I need that hardness here. __________________ ___________________ "I'm your huckleberry."

June 18, 2011, 09:01 PM	#4
Jim243 Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2009 Location: Just off Route 66 Posts: 5,067	Ike, use the H-335 and stay under 55 grains as snuffy said. The 52 are great as well as the 53 HP's, A-Max in 50 and 55 will do very well as well. If your into experementation you could try IMR 8208 XBR but be carefull it is just a little hotter than H-335. But you will like the results. Jim __________________ Si vis pacem, para bellum

June 19, 2011, 09:30 AM	#6
m&p45acp10+1 Senior Member Join Date: May 3, 2009 Location: Central Texas Posts: 3,930	A 55 grain bullet. (have a liking for hornady v- max) with about 25 grains of H-335, and every primer I have used so far. Has given good results from 6 different rifles from AR platform to a single shot Rossi. Just remember to work up to that load, and back off at the first signs of over pressure. From my Savage that load will give a one hole group if I do my part. __________________ No matter how many times you do it and nothing happens it only takes something going wrong one time to kill you.

June 19, 2011, 11:07 AM	#7
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	I've found the 53 grain MatchKing to be a tack driver in 12" twist, but I run mostly Reloader 10X over 205M primers with it these days. The two 4198's are great accuracy powders in this bullet weight range, but usually sacrifice a little off top velocity. As far as stability goes, bullet length is more important than weight, and weight is more important than velocity, but all have their effect. Because length is most important, you can shoot the stubbier flat base bullets heavier. The flat base 60, 62, and 64 grain Bergers all have 12" listed as their recommended barrel twist rate. The BC of the 64, is as good as boattail 55's due to its extra weight. Flat bases are usually a little easier to get tight groups with, so, in your shoes, I'd start there. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

June 19, 2011, 12:10 PM	#8
Dapperdan Member Join Date: June 17, 2011 Posts: 47	Lately I've been using 50 gr. Hornady V-Max and 24 grs. IMR or H4895 with anybody's primer. We shoot a Remington 700 SPS with a 3x9 scope and it will print 3 shot groups under 1/2" at 100 yds. Don't know what rate of twist the barrel is. Gun belongs to a friend, but it's not a heavy barrel varmint style.

June 19, 2011, 04:24 PM	#9
Prof Young Senior Member Join Date: August 21, 2007 Location: Illinois - down state Posts: 2,404	When I first started reloading 223 . . . When I started reloading my 223 it was the first rifle ammunition I reloaded and I quickly leaned how important it was to LUBE THE CASE!! But if you already reload other rifle rounds, you probably already know that. Live well, be safe Prof Young

June 19, 2011, 10:25 PM	#10
jhansman Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2007 Posts: 680	I use H322 in my 1:12 .223 bolt rifle with a 60 gr bullet, but so far only at 100 yds.; very accurate, but I will probably go to a lighter bullet when I start working up my 200 yd. load. __________________ Blessed is the man who has nothing to say, and cannot be compelled to say it.

June 20, 2011, 06:31 PM	#11
B-RAD Junior member Join Date: June 16, 2011 Location: Right behind you Posts: 23	I shoot .223 with a 1-14 twist 24" barrel. Check out my reloading data so far... Cooper Load Data I think you will find some good starting points as alot of people are shooting tighter twists than us. Good thing for you most reloading manuals are for a 1-12 twist. While I'm here - I'll ask for some help with Ar-15 Loads. Here is what I have so far. AR-15 Load Data