More 223 test results part tres

gregjc9 · March 5, 2011, 02:22 PM

Tested some Sierra 60gr HP Varminter bullets with H335 today, COL was 2.250. Rifle is RRA AR with 20" Predator Persuit upper, 1:8

5 rounds for each load @ 100 yds. Load data based on Sierra's manual. Best group was .70" but the .76" was much tighter - if I hadnt pulled the one, 4 rounds were in .36".

I think the Rock may like these better than the SMK 69gr and 22.5gr H335, which I had shot a .44" 5 shot group with.

23.5gr = 1.13"
24.1gr = .70"
24.7gr = 1.08"
25.3gr = 1.12"
25.6gr = .76" <== I will be testing this load more.

FM12 · March 5, 2011, 04:13 PM

H335 is my favorite .223 powder, but may not be the best for bullets heavier than 55 grains.

COSteve · March 5, 2011, 04:32 PM

I agree. I've had better luck with BLC-2 and TAC with my 62grn and 68grn Hornadys. Yes, I know; my 1:9 RRA (Wilson) barrel likes the 68s better than 69s.

Brian Pfleuger · March 5, 2011, 04:59 PM

I'm not sure if it's been suggested to you before but you should consider reducing the "jump" between charges.

22-24gr is a small amount. Jumping .6gr (2.5%) makes it's very likely that you will miss an "accuracy node". I use a rule of thumb of .7-1.0% of maximum charge, as suggested by Dan Newberry with his "OCW" load development system.

My .204Ruger maxes out in the 24-30gr are, depending on powder, I use .3gr increments because .2gr is too close to the scales effective resolution.

m&p45acp10+1 · March 5, 2011, 05:33 PM

I was testing some 68 grain Hornady BTHP match today with Reloader 15. The results were very good. Appaerently my rifle has a sweet spot of almost 1 grain with this powder. I was quite surprised to say the least. 23.0 to 23.9 grains was indistuinguihble in size, and POI to POA. I am one happy camper. Only thing I did differently was to make my rounds longer which the magazine in my Savage is made to handle the longer rounds.

gregjc9 · March 5, 2011, 06:40 PM

Thanks for the input guys. I needed to pick one powder to start out with, and at the time H335 seemed like a good place to start. I have read that TAC as well as Benchmark are good, sounds like Reloader 15 will be added to my list to try in the future as well.

RE the load jumps, I hear ya, but those were published loads in my Sierra manual. And everyone's mantra is follow the manual. Once I find a load that groups well, I can vary it a few tenths either way and see if there's a better sweet spot.

Sooooo, if I were to load for 55, 60 and 69gr, what one powder would be best?

Brian Pfleuger · March 5, 2011, 07:03 PM

Quote:

RE the load jumps, I hear ya, but those were published loads in my Sierra manual. And everyone's mantra is follow the manual.

The manual has suggestions of increments to use? The only manual I own is a Lyman 49th, it only lists min and max, nothing in between.

gregjc9 · March 5, 2011, 08:47 PM

Yes, my Sierra Edition V, 5th Printing lists load increments. I seem to go to this manual more often than my Lymans, Hornady, and Speer.

I've read Dan Newbury's OCW load development many times, but I still have a hard time understanding it.

March 5, 2011, 04:59 PM	#4
Brian Pfleuger Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Austin, CO Posts: 19,578	I'm not sure if it's been suggested to you before but you should consider reducing the "jump" between charges. 22-24gr is a small amount. Jumping .6gr (2.5%) makes it's very likely that you will miss an "accuracy node". I use a rule of thumb of .7-1.0% of maximum charge, as suggested by Dan Newberry with his "OCW" load development system. My .204Ruger maxes out in the 24-30gr are, depending on powder, I use .3gr increments because .2gr is too close to the scales effective resolution. __________________ Nobody plans to screw up their lives... ...they just don't plan not to. -Andy Stanley

March 5, 2011, 05:33 PM	#5
m&p45acp10+1 Senior Member Join Date: May 3, 2009 Location: Central Texas Posts: 3,930	I was testing some 68 grain Hornady BTHP match today with Reloader 15. The results were very good. Appaerently my rifle has a sweet spot of almost 1 grain with this powder. I was quite surprised to say the least. 23.0 to 23.9 grains was indistuinguihble in size, and POI to POA. I am one happy camper. Only thing I did differently was to make my rounds longer which the magazine in my Savage is made to handle the longer rounds. __________________ No matter how many times you do it and nothing happens it only takes something going wrong one time to kill you.

March 5, 2011, 06:40 PM	#6
gregjc9 Senior Member Join Date: June 30, 2008 Location: Northern Va Posts: 501	Thanks for the input guys. I needed to pick one powder to start out with, and at the time H335 seemed like a good place to start. I have read that TAC as well as Benchmark are good, sounds like Reloader 15 will be added to my list to try in the future as well. RE the load jumps, I hear ya, but those were published loads in my Sierra manual. And everyone's mantra is follow the manual. Once I find a load that groups well, I can vary it a few tenths either way and see if there's a better sweet spot. Sooooo, if I were to load for 55, 60 and 69gr, what one powder would be best? __________________ ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ Greg

March 5, 2011, 08:47 PM	#8
gregjc9 Senior Member Join Date: June 30, 2008 Location: Northern Va Posts: 501	Yes, my Sierra Edition V, 5th Printing lists load increments. I seem to go to this manual more often than my Lymans, Hornady, and Speer. I've read Dan Newbury's OCW load development many times, but I still have a hard time understanding it. __________________ ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ Greg Last edited by gregjc9; March 5, 2011 at 09:16 PM.

March 5, 2011, 04:13 PM	#2
FM12 Senior Member Join Date: February 5, 2007 Location: Monroeville, Alabama Posts: 1,683	H335 is my favorite .223 powder, but may not be the best for bullets heavier than 55 grains.

March 5, 2011, 04:32 PM	#3
COSteve Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2009 Posts: 1,344	I agree. I've had better luck with BLC-2 and TAC with my 62grn and 68grn Hornadys. Yes, I know; my 1:9 RRA (Wilson) barrel likes the 68s better than 69s.