Nosler Bonded Performance in 223?

sea2weed · April 17, 2013, 11:52 PM

Anyone worked up some good loads with Noslers new 64gr 22cal yet in 223? I recently picked some up and am going to try in my M77 which has always shot very well with most anything 55gr and below. I've tried the 60gr partitions previously but had limited success at getting them to stabilize in the 1-12" barrel using my normal powders (H335, etc.) in this round. I was getting close but pressure was getting too high for comfort. Length isn't too extreme on this these but neither was the partition. I have some Varget and VV N135 to try and get the velocity up and pressure down. Any experience here or should I just blast them out of my Mini with its faster twist and give up on the idea?

Toolman · April 18, 2013, 07:49 PM

I think you're asking a lot using 64 gr bullets in a .223 Rem. 1-12 twist barrel. Check your reloading manual(s). You should have several manuals.
A 1-12 twist likes the lighter bullets from 43gr up to 55gr bullets and should push them very well using H335 powder.
My .223 Rem AR's in 1-9 twist love the 69gr thru 77gr Sierra bullets. They will shoot the 50-55gr weight on the lower end but not as well. Heavier bullets buck the wind better, but you need to back off the powder when using them.
I shoot H-335 (my favorite), TAC (next in line), BLC-2 & Varget (harder to meter) powders. My next AR build will be a 1-7 twist.
Just my experience from the last 10 years of reloading. Hope this helps.

Toolman · April 18, 2013, 08:04 PM

I want to add that I've had VERY good results loading 62-69gr bullets pushed using IMR 8208 XBR & Alliant AR Comp powders.

sea2weed · April 18, 2013, 11:07 PM

Near as I can tell its a very new bullet that has just enough comments here and there to make me curious. Even Noslers website makes no reference to it but my #7 load manual has it listed, haven't found any other published loads. The test barrel in their manual is a 1-12" for the 223 rem so I'm guessing it might do okay in my Ruger bolt? They are showing 4895, Varget, Benchmark and CFE223 powders with the CFE indicated to be the most accurate. There is some talk on the Nosler Bullet Forum about very good results out of 1-14" 22-250's but they are reaching out to 3,300fps. From the Nosler load data it looks like it would work for me if I can get up to at least 2,900 fps?

603Country · April 19, 2013, 08:21 AM

This is the first I've heard of the new Nosler bullet. Good news, IF it'll stabilize in my 220. The 60 gr Partition won't stabilize, and neither will the 65 gr Sierra GK. My 223 has the 1 in 9 twist, so it'll handle pretty much anything that I want to shoot these days.

sea2weed · April 19, 2013, 11:45 AM

Thanks all, it still seems to be a mystery bullet and the few rumors I can find about it are that it was developed at LE and FBI request for a better barrier penetrator? The few ballistics tests I've run across seem to indicate it would make a very good controlled expansion bullet in 22 cal which has just about no choices other than the 60gr partition. It's obviously not a long range match bullet with the blunt protected tip and a low BC but it seems to have potential for a real 22cal hunting round? I experimented with the 60gr partition when it first came out but didn't have much luck with the faster powders I usually use for the lighter bullets in my 1-12" barrels. I have some Varget, Viht N135, Rel 15 and IMR 4895 to try on the slower burn side to try and work up, just looking to see if anyone can save me some time with actual experience?

sea2weed · April 20, 2013, 02:37 PM

Doesn't seem like many have got their hands on these yet? Managed to get an order in with Midway for my current stock but they are out again now

When even Nosler doesn't list them its kind of odd but I guess they are still fishing to see what the response is before they go full release?

The official name seems to be "Bonded Solid Base"

Some links I've found:

http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_42/39...oad_data_.html

http://www.noslerreloading.com/phpBB...p?f=44&t=18868

http://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?p=1358749

April 17, 2013, 11:52 PM	#1
sea2weed Member Join Date: March 23, 2013 Location: Alaska Posts: 31	Nosler Bonded Performance in 223? Anyone worked up some good loads with Noslers new 64gr 22cal yet in 223? I recently picked some up and am going to try in my M77 which has always shot very well with most anything 55gr and below. I've tried the 60gr partitions previously but had limited success at getting them to stabilize in the 1-12" barrel using my normal powders (H335, etc.) in this round. I was getting close but pressure was getting too high for comfort. Length isn't too extreme on this these but neither was the partition. I have some Varget and VV N135 to try and get the velocity up and pressure down. Any experience here or should I just blast them out of my Mini with its faster twist and give up on the idea?

April 18, 2013, 07:49 PM	#2
Toolman Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 514	I think you're asking a lot using 64 gr bullets in a .223 Rem. 1-12 twist barrel. Check your reloading manual(s). You should have several manuals. A 1-12 twist likes the lighter bullets from 43gr up to 55gr bullets and should push them very well using H335 powder. My .223 Rem AR's in 1-9 twist love the 69gr thru 77gr Sierra bullets. They will shoot the 50-55gr weight on the lower end but not as well. Heavier bullets buck the wind better, but you need to back off the powder when using them. I shoot H-335 (my favorite), TAC (next in line), BLC-2 & Varget (harder to meter) powders. My next AR build will be a 1-7 twist. Just my experience from the last 10 years of reloading. Hope this helps. __________________ Crime Control. NOT Gun Control.

April 18, 2013, 08:04 PM	#3
Toolman Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 514	New powder I want to add that I've had VERY good results loading 62-69gr bullets pushed using IMR 8208 XBR & Alliant AR Comp powders. __________________ Crime Control. NOT Gun Control.

April 18, 2013, 11:07 PM	#4
sea2weed Member Join Date: March 23, 2013 Location: Alaska Posts: 31	Near as I can tell its a very new bullet that has just enough comments here and there to make me curious. Even Noslers website makes no reference to it but my #7 load manual has it listed, haven't found any other published loads. The test barrel in their manual is a 1-12" for the 223 rem so I'm guessing it might do okay in my Ruger bolt? They are showing 4895, Varget, Benchmark and CFE223 powders with the CFE indicated to be the most accurate. There is some talk on the Nosler Bullet Forum about very good results out of 1-14" 22-250's but they are reaching out to 3,300fps. From the Nosler load data it looks like it would work for me if I can get up to at least 2,900 fps?

April 19, 2013, 08:21 AM	#5
603Country Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2011 Location: Thornton, Texas Posts: 3,998	This is the first I've heard of the new Nosler bullet. Good news, IF it'll stabilize in my 220. The 60 gr Partition won't stabilize, and neither will the 65 gr Sierra GK. My 223 has the 1 in 9 twist, so it'll handle pretty much anything that I want to shoot these days.

April 19, 2013, 11:45 AM	#6
sea2weed Member Join Date: March 23, 2013 Location: Alaska Posts: 31	Thanks all, it still seems to be a mystery bullet and the few rumors I can find about it are that it was developed at LE and FBI request for a better barrier penetrator? The few ballistics tests I've run across seem to indicate it would make a very good controlled expansion bullet in 22 cal which has just about no choices other than the 60gr partition. It's obviously not a long range match bullet with the blunt protected tip and a low BC but it seems to have potential for a real 22cal hunting round? I experimented with the 60gr partition when it first came out but didn't have much luck with the faster powders I usually use for the lighter bullets in my 1-12" barrels. I have some Varget, Viht N135, Rel 15 and IMR 4895 to try on the slower burn side to try and work up, just looking to see if anyone can save me some time with actual experience?

April 20, 2013, 02:37 PM	#7
sea2weed Member Join Date: March 23, 2013 Location: Alaska Posts: 31	Doesn't seem like many have got their hands on these yet? Managed to get an order in with Midway for my current stock but they are out again now When even Nosler doesn't list them its kind of odd but I guess they are still fishing to see what the response is before they go full release? The official name seems to be "Bonded Solid Base" Some links I've found: http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_42/39...oad_data_.html http://www.noslerreloading.com/phpBB...p?f=44&t=18868 http://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?p=1358749 Last edited by sea2weed; April 20, 2013 at 03:27 PM.