Reloading advice Please

Easty_Aus · January 14, 2013, 10:42 AM

Hey guys, i have a .223 CZ rifle with 1-9 twist and a 20" barrel.
Just wondering what is the best powder to use and how much??? Will be using a 55 grain projectile.
I use the rifle for foxes but also do some 400-600 yard target shooting and thats all. Cheers in advance!

Bart B. · January 14, 2013, 11:11 AM

A stick/extruded powder in the speed range of H322 would do well. Stay away from ball powder; its track record for best accuracy is not all that great. Best accuracy means no worse than about 3 inches at 600 yards or about .3 inches at 100 yards.

That 1:9 twist is best for bullet weights around 70 grains; may be too fast for 55 grain bullets. So I suggest staying away from max loads with 55's and use reduced ones.

wingman · January 14, 2013, 01:51 PM

Quote:

That 1:9 twist is best for bullet weights around 70 grains; may be too fast for 55 grain bullets. So I suggest staying away from max loads with 55's and use reduced ones.

I've owned 5 or 6 223's with a 1/9 twist all were the most accurate(@100 yards) with the sierra 52gr match.

H322-, 4895, h335, CFE223, Benchmark, all good powders, but at 100 yards
give the Sierra 52gr match a try beyond 200 yards the sierra 69gr match
will do the trick, I've never found a 55gr to give me the accuracy I try for.

edward5759 · January 14, 2013, 02:23 PM

Easty_Aus

I used a lot of 2208, its made down there so you should be able to get it.
With 55 grain bullet I would start around 22 grains and work up from there.
It was a powder that was used in the light bench rest matches here in the U.S. for a while. When I shot in the Perth Matches it was the rage.

Easty_Aus · January 14, 2013, 07:30 PM

Ok thanks guys, and what sort of powder would you suggest for the 69gr? Very new to reloading so all advice is a help! Cheers

m&p45acp10+1 · January 14, 2013, 07:39 PM

For 55 grain bullets that are standard. (Note that lead free 55 grain bullets are like loading for 69 grain standard.) I use Hodgdon H-335. It works so well it is all I use in .223 for 55 grain bullets.

For 68 to 77 grain I go with either Reloader 15 or Varget. I prefer the RL15, though Varget gets close to what RL15 does as far as accuracy goes for me.

I shoot out of a bolt action Savage Model 12 Long Range FVSS, with a 1 in 9 twist.

Easty_Aus · January 14, 2013, 09:04 PM

Ok no worries, and how much of the 15 do you use personally? I take it you start low and find what suits your rifle? Mine to is a bolt action

C7AR15 · January 14, 2013, 09:18 PM

I have had really good results with Benchmark powder in .223
1/9 twist

CleanDean · January 14, 2013, 09:32 PM

I agree with the Sierra Match, 52 Gr. using H332 powder. Even shoots well from a friend's old Mini14. .............. 24grs.

January 14, 2013, 10:42 AM	#1
Easty_Aus Junior Member Join Date: January 14, 2013 Location: AUSTRALIA Posts: 3	Reloading advice Please Hey guys, i have a .223 CZ rifle with 1-9 twist and a 20" barrel. Just wondering what is the best powder to use and how much??? Will be using a 55 grain projectile. I use the rifle for foxes but also do some 400-600 yard target shooting and thats all. Cheers in advance!

January 14, 2013, 11:11 AM	#2
Bart B. Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2009 Posts: 2,100	A stick/extruded powder in the speed range of H322 would do well. Stay away from ball powder; its track record for best accuracy is not all that great. Best accuracy means no worse than about 3 inches at 600 yards or about .3 inches at 100 yards. That 1:9 twist is best for bullet weights around 70 grains; may be too fast for 55 grain bullets. So I suggest staying away from max loads with 55's and use reduced ones. __________________ US Navy Distinguished Marksman Badge 153 Former USA Palma Team Member NRA High Power Long Range High Master NRA Smallbore Prone Master

January 14, 2013, 02:23 PM	#4
edward5759 Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ. 30 miles from water, two feet from Hell. Posts: 354	Easty_Aus I used a lot of 2208, its made down there so you should be able to get it. With 55 grain bullet I would start around 22 grains and work up from there. It was a powder that was used in the light bench rest matches here in the U.S. for a while. When I shot in the Perth Matches it was the rage. __________________ Failure is part of success! This year will go down in history. For the first time, a civilized nation has full gun registration. Our streets will be safer, our police more efficient, and the world will follow our lead into the future!" -Adolf Hitler,1935"

January 14, 2013, 07:39 PM	#6
m&p45acp10+1 Senior Member Join Date: May 3, 2009 Location: Central Texas Posts: 3,108	For 55 grain bullets that are standard. (Note that lead free 55 grain bullets are like loading for 69 grain standard.) I use Hodgdon H-335. It works so well it is all I use in .223 for 55 grain bullets. For 68 to 77 grain I go with either Reloader 15 or Varget. I prefer the RL15, though Varget gets close to what RL15 does as far as accuracy goes for me. I shoot out of a bolt action Savage Model 12 Long Range FVSS, with a 1 in 9 twist. __________________ No matter how many times you do it and nothing happens it only takes something going wrong one time to kill you.

January 14, 2013, 09:18 PM	#8
C7AR15 Senior Member Join Date: April 24, 2011 Location: Burnaby Posts: 100	69 gr Bullets I have had really good results with Benchmark powder in .223 1/9 twist

January 14, 2013, 07:30 PM	#5
Easty_Aus Junior Member Join Date: January 14, 2013 Location: AUSTRALIA Posts: 3	Ok thanks guys, and what sort of powder would you suggest for the 69gr? Very new to reloading so all advice is a help! Cheers

January 14, 2013, 09:04 PM	#7
Easty_Aus Junior Member Join Date: January 14, 2013 Location: AUSTRALIA Posts: 3	Ok no worries, and how much of the 15 do you use personally? I take it you start low and find what suits your rifle? Mine to is a bolt action

January 14, 2013, 09:32 PM	#9
CleanDean Junior Member Join Date: March 18, 2012 Location: PITTSBURGH.PA Posts: 7	I agree with the Sierra Match, 52 Gr. using H332 powder. Even shoots well from a friend's old Mini14. .............. 24grs. __________________ FNH Scar 17 s --Black ; cause it goes so well with my formal wear, for those special occasions. Customized Mini 14 , ATI stock and a 3.5 lb.& Pittsburgh trigger. Colt Python 8 in. Colt Gold Cup; Voere KDF in .270 ; N. frame SMITH AND WESSON revolvers; and TC contender in 41 Magnums