55gr .223 load info please.

Ry-guy · February 23, 2007, 11:37 PM

I just picked up 500 Winchester 55rg fmjbt bullets. I have tried a couple of different loads with them but I am spraying them everywhere. I am shooting them out of a Savage Model 12 FVSS. I know the gun shoots super tight cause my 52gr loads are putting 5 shots inside of a nickel at 100yds. These aren't a match bullet but I know that with the right charge they will shoot better. Any suggestions?

I first posted this in "The Art of the Rifle". I re-posted it here figuring I would get a few more replies.

rwilson452 · February 24, 2007, 06:56 AM

Two loads I have had success with with 55gr bullets are 35gr of I 4895 and 39 gr of H380. Do these bullets have a cantilever? if so are the bullets flat along the sides. I bought some Winchester 30 Cal 150 gr FNJ and the bullets were hour glass shaped. They didn't seat well or shoot well.

Ry-guy · February 24, 2007, 09:25 AM

Are you sue about those charge weights? 24 grains of IMR 4895 is a compression load. There is no way that 35 or more grains would even fit into the shell.

The Bullets do have a flat side.

Thanks, Ryan

rwilson452 · February 24, 2007, 09:28 AM

AHHHH. Wrong load! that was my 22-250 load. 25 gr not 35gr.
forget the h380 I haven't used that in .223 and don't expect I will.
25 gr of varget.

yes a compressed load.

right now I have started working with H322 but haven't done much yet.
I hope it works well because it meters so well I will use it in my progressive press for plinking ammo.

So sorry!

sundog · February 24, 2007, 09:40 AM

I've been shooting 24.0/2230-C (cheap surplus) with 55 gr Midway Dogtown bullets (cheap bulk pack), and once fired range brass. In the wind last weekend I was getting consistent 5-shot 1 inch groups, smallest was 0.440 and had only 3 holes. If one thing doesn't work, try something else.

cheygriz · February 24, 2007, 03:40 PM

Start with about 23-24 grains of H335 and work up to whatever is most accurate in your gun.

Ammo Junky · February 24, 2007, 04:21 PM

For the ar15 Id go 25.0 or 25.5gr H335. If for a bolt gun Id go 23.5 H322.

sanson · February 24, 2007, 04:29 PM

i had problems with 223 55gr btails until I switched to a small charge of fast burning powder. problem solved for mine. they were spraying all-over the paper. buddy told me bt's don't like to have powder still burning when they exit the crown.

rrp · February 24, 2007, 04:40 PM

I've had very good results using 25 gr of Win 748 with 55 gr bullets through my 223 rifles with 1in10 or higher twists.

OneInTheChamber · February 24, 2007, 08:46 PM

with a 55 gr. FMJ I like H335 and Accurate 2230. I can't quote the numbers, so I won't for safety sake.

amamnn · February 25, 2007, 03:02 AM

There should not be such a radical difference between a 52 grain bullet and a 55 grain bullet from the same rifle with comparable loads. Did you by any chance buy .223" bullets rather than .224" bullets? The .223" are for the .222 caliber barrel and the .224" for the .223 caliber.

That many, many people make this mistake is but another example of why we need to standardize units of measure in this business, preferably using metric measure.

Ry-guy · March 1, 2007, 05:43 PM

Thanks everyone for the info. The bullets are indeed .224, I'm looking forward to trying some of these loads.

Ry-Guy

**Unclenick** · March 1, 2007, 06:14 PM

Many years ago my dad bought some Winchester 147 grain .308 FMJ bullets in bulk. Despite being experienced reloaders. nothing we did ever made them shoot, and we never figured out why? Finally gave them away to somebody who had trouble staying on paper at the matches no matter what ammo he used. He was happy with them. They may just not make these very carefully.

Boattails get nudged out of line by the muzzle gas jet more than flat base bullets do. A faster powder peaks its pressure earlier and produces less remaining pressure at the muzzle, and that helps by reducing the jet. A BT has less bearing surface in the barrel at a given bullet weight than its flat base counterpart does. This allows it to tip in the barrel more easily. A number of people have noted that they have to increase bullet weight in boattails until the portion forward of the boattail is the size and weight of an equal accuracy flat base they are comparing it to. Basically, you need to be a lot fussier with a short boattail, controlling its runout. Load them singly, rather than from the magazine, to avoid tipping the bullets as they bump up the feed ramp. The short bearing surface also makes them sensitive to that.

FM12 · March 1, 2007, 09:54 PM

The problem is probably in the quality of the bullet...don't ecpect the same accuracy of these as with a quality bullet..the cannelure can throw off the center of gravity of the bullet (the processs to put in the indentations) and make them wobble rather than fly straight, spinning on its own true axis...try H335, its been the most accurate powder for me in .223. FM12

rangermonroe · March 2, 2007, 09:01 AM

Had a good group with h-335 25.2 grains. Oddly enough, 25.0 grains was just so so.

Both 26.5 and 27.5 grains of Varget shot nicely. 27.0, not so good.

All pushing 55gr NBT

Ry-guy · March 5, 2007, 07:17 PM

For anyone that was watching this thread to see what I came out of this with here it is.

55Gr Win FMJBT with 25g of Accurate 2230 shot less than 1 MOA at 100yds.

shooter_john · March 5, 2007, 07:26 PM

My AR "blasting" load uses 55gr Winchester Power Points with 25.0gr 748. Never really shot it for accuracy, but that will be changing real soon when my new rifle gets here ; )

That being said the load groups well and hits where I want @ 100yds with EOTech. (on silouette targets)

February 23, 2007, 11:37 PM	#1
Ry-guy Member Join Date: October 22, 2006 Location: Proud to be Canadian Posts: 47	55gr .223 load info please. I just picked up 500 Winchester 55rg fmjbt bullets. I have tried a couple of different loads with them but I am spraying them everywhere. I am shooting them out of a Savage Model 12 FVSS. I know the gun shoots super tight cause my 52gr loads are putting 5 shots inside of a nickel at 100yds. These aren't a match bullet but I know that with the right charge they will shoot better. Any suggestions? I first posted this in "The Art of the Rifle". I re-posted it here figuring I would get a few more replies.

February 24, 2007, 06:56 AM	#2
rwilson452 Senior Member Join Date: June 10, 2004 Location: Tioga co. PA Posts: 2,647	55gr Two loads I have had success with with 55gr bullets are 35gr of I 4895 and 39 gr of H380. Do these bullets have a cantilever? if so are the bullets flat along the sides. I bought some Winchester 30 Cal 150 gr FNJ and the bullets were hour glass shaped. They didn't seat well or shoot well.

February 24, 2007, 09:40 AM	#5
sundog Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 1999 Location: Green Country, OK Posts: 782	I've been shooting 24.0/2230-C (cheap surplus) with 55 gr Midway Dogtown bullets (cheap bulk pack), and once fired range brass. In the wind last weekend I was getting consistent 5-shot 1 inch groups, smallest was 0.440 and had only 3 holes. If one thing doesn't work, try something else. __________________ safety first

February 24, 2007, 03:40 PM	#6
cheygriz Senior Member Join Date: May 11, 2002 Location: high up in the rockies Posts: 2,289	Start with about 23-24 grains of H335 and work up to whatever is most accurate in your gun. __________________ If you think a mighty military force is expensive, wait 'til you see what a weak one costs.

February 24, 2007, 04:21 PM	#7
Ammo Junky Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: IL Posts: 537	For the ar15 Id go 25.0 or 25.5gr H335. If for a bolt gun Id go 23.5 H322. __________________ Will work for brass. I apologise in advance for spelling errors.

February 24, 2007, 09:25 AM	#3
Ry-guy Member Join Date: October 22, 2006 Location: Proud to be Canadian Posts: 47	Are you sue about those charge weights? 24 grains of IMR 4895 is a compression load. There is no way that 35 or more grains would even fit into the shell. The Bullets do have a flat side. Thanks, Ryan

February 24, 2007, 09:28 AM	#4
rwilson452 Senior Member Join Date: June 10, 2004 Location: Tioga co. PA Posts: 2,647	AHHHH. Wrong load! that was my 22-250 load. 25 gr not 35gr. forget the h380 I haven't used that in .223 and don't expect I will. 25 gr of varget. yes a compressed load. right now I have started working with H322 but haven't done much yet. I hope it works well because it meters so well I will use it in my progressive press for plinking ammo. So sorry!

February 24, 2007, 04:29 PM	#8
sanson Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2006 Location: FL panhandle Posts: 547	i had problems with 223 55gr btails until I switched to a small charge of fast burning powder. problem solved for mine. they were spraying all-over the paper. buddy told me bt's don't like to have powder still burning when they exit the crown.

February 24, 2007, 04:40 PM	#9
rrp Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2006 Location: west central Wi Posts: 300	55 gr 223 rem I've had very good results using 25 gr of Win 748 with 55 gr bullets through my 223 rifles with 1in10 or higher twists.

February 24, 2007, 08:46 PM	#10
OneInTheChamber Senior Member Join Date: December 12, 2005 Posts: 789	with a 55 gr. FMJ I like H335 and Accurate 2230. I can't quote the numbers, so I won't for safety sake. __________________ Insert witty, comical, and/or significant quote here.

February 25, 2007, 03:02 AM	#11
amamnn Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2006 Location: WA, the left armpit of the USA Posts: 1,323	There should not be such a radical difference between a 52 grain bullet and a 55 grain bullet from the same rifle with comparable loads. Did you by any chance buy .223" bullets rather than .224" bullets? The .223" are for the .222 caliber barrel and the .224" for the .223 caliber. That many, many people make this mistake is but another example of why we need to standardize units of measure in this business, preferably using metric measure. __________________ "If the enemy is in range, so are you." - Infantry Journal

March 1, 2007, 05:43 PM	#12
Ry-guy Member Join Date: October 22, 2006 Location: Proud to be Canadian Posts: 47	Thanks everyone for the info. The bullets are indeed .224, I'm looking forward to trying some of these loads. Ry-Guy

March 1, 2007, 06:14 PM	#13
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	Many years ago my dad bought some Winchester 147 grain .308 FMJ bullets in bulk. Despite being experienced reloaders. nothing we did ever made them shoot, and we never figured out why? Finally gave them away to somebody who had trouble staying on paper at the matches no matter what ammo he used. He was happy with them. They may just not make these very carefully. Boattails get nudged out of line by the muzzle gas jet more than flat base bullets do. A faster powder peaks its pressure earlier and produces less remaining pressure at the muzzle, and that helps by reducing the jet. A BT has less bearing surface in the barrel at a given bullet weight than its flat base counterpart does. This allows it to tip in the barrel more easily. A number of people have noted that they have to increase bullet weight in boattails until the portion forward of the boattail is the size and weight of an equal accuracy flat base they are comparing it to. Basically, you need to be a lot fussier with a short boattail, controlling its runout. Load them singly, rather than from the magazine, to avoid tipping the bullets as they bump up the feed ramp. The short bearing surface also makes them sensitive to that. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

March 1, 2007, 09:54 PM	#14
FM12 Senior Member Join Date: February 5, 2007 Location: Monroeville, Alabama Posts: 1,683	The problem is probably in the quality of the bullet...don't ecpect the same accuracy of these as with a quality bullet..the cannelure can throw off the center of gravity of the bullet (the processs to put in the indentations) and make them wobble rather than fly straight, spinning on its own true axis...try H335, its been the most accurate powder for me in .223. FM12

March 2, 2007, 09:01 AM	#15
rangermonroe Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2005 Location: savannah Posts: 758	Had a good group with h-335 25.2 grains. Oddly enough, 25.0 grains was just so so. Both 26.5 and 27.5 grains of Varget shot nicely. 27.0, not so good. All pushing 55gr NBT

March 5, 2007, 07:17 PM	#16
Ry-guy Member Join Date: October 22, 2006 Location: Proud to be Canadian Posts: 47	For anyone that was watching this thread to see what I came out of this with here it is. 55Gr Win FMJBT with 25g of Accurate 2230 shot less than 1 MOA at 100yds.

March 5, 2007, 07:26 PM	#17
shooter_john Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2002 Location: ALABAMA Posts: 1,472	My AR "blasting" load uses 55gr Winchester Power Points with 25.0gr 748. Never really shot it for accuracy, but that will be changing real soon when my new rifle gets here ; ) That being said the load groups well and hits where I want @ 100yds with EOTech. (on silouette targets) __________________ TROTAC.com