223 Reloading assistance

[gcp]

Hi guys, this is my first post on this forum and I already need your help so I guess this is one heck of an introduction but I promise to make up for it in the near future.

I am reloading for my 223 heavier than my usual 55gr bullets, in an attempt to find a more accurate round for my LMT's 1 in 7 twist. I am using WC846 powder, which is equivalent to BL-C(2), but my Lee reloading manual does not specify BL-C for the 69gr Sierra HPBT bullet (estimating that 25gr ought to work well based on the H-Varget 24.1-25.5 range), and jumps from 70gr to 80gr so I have absolutely no charge data for my 75gr HPBT bullets. Can some one please provide me some not to exceed numbers so I can complete my reloading?

Thank you!

[rdc0000]

May I suggest W748, RE-15, Varget or H4895. The Sierra AR manual is on http://www.6mmbr.com/223Rem.html. I would use the 77 gr as starting loads and work up.

I've shot many 80 grains with H4895 and 69s with W748 successfully.

Current wisdom says Varget and RE-15 are better powders for heavy 223 bullets and Vith N140 is the best. ?

IMO I think you need a slower burning powder than BLC-2.

[ralph]

Try looking here.. www.hodgdon.com they've got loads for .223 all the way up to 80gr. With surplus powders you want to be careful to work up, as each lot burns a little different, some may burn close to BLc2 others may be faster or slower..Be careful

[Redhat]

Welcome!

You can go to the Hogdon web site, they have an on-line reloading data center whic includes Winchester Powders. It's interactive so you have to make some selections and wait a second or two while it pulls up the information.

You can filter by powder or cal/bullet wt.

Once you find what you want, you can also print the load sheet.

Now that you have one manual, I recommend purchasing others, especially Sierra and don't hesitate to ask questions especially if you are just starting out. Take it slow, be cautious and safe.

Have you read the Lee manual yet?

[gcp]

Most excellent info, thank you very much for your quick responses gentlemen!

I do have Varget at hand so I may use it for the 75gr and use the WC846 with the 69gr Sierras. I like the WC because it meters very well so I don't feel compeled to measure & load each and every case.

[gcp]

Here's Hornady's recommendation, in case someone else needs it in the future.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0703/George/AR15%20and%2045%20ACP/Hornady.jpg

[gcp]

It appears that the A-MAX may not be the proper bullet for an AR. The Hornady chart says OL should be 2.390" but there's no way such round would fit into the AR's mag. And I fear that when I seat the bullet low enough to feed through the mag the round may become unsafe due to excessive pressure. Any recommendations from our experts?

I'll probably need to call Hornady.....

I just found this interesting read http://www.zediker.com/books/ar15/images/ch6AR15.pdf

[raks]

I know from experience that the 75gr AMax will NOT fit in an AR mag.

[TomMcC]

Here's Hornady's recommendation, in case someone else needs it in the future.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0703/George/AR15%20and%2045%20ACP/Hornady.jpg

Man, that Hornady load data for AA2520 is low compared to Accurate Arms. AA starts with 22g, and goes up to 24.5g. I've loaded up 75.... 75's, starting at 22.5 up to 24.5 in .5g increments. I'll be trying them next weekend.

[gcp]

Guys, for whatever it's worth, I talked to the Hornady tech on Friday and it seems that with the A-Maxs one must shoot them single shot, if one is to shoot them through an AR15. It also appears that @ my 150 yard range they will do me absolutely no good, even through my 1 in 7 twist LMT barrel. He said that at 150 yards the heavy bullet has not completed its stabilization process so it's back to square one for me. I'll try the 69gr today, if the rain lets up, and report back but the tech's opinion is that 55s or 62s will perform best.

[TomMcC]

I'm using the BTHP myself. As pointed out, it will work at magazine length. I am trying to tighten up my medium to long range groups ( 175-350yds.) for 3-gun. You might want to try some Hornady 55g FMJBT also if you are only going out to 150 yds. In my guns I can typically get 1.5-1.75" 5 round groups at a 100 yds. Out of my 20" I have shot 10 round groups of about 5" at 200 yds (that's with a 4x scope). I mention the 55's because they are cheaper than the 69's.

[gcp]

I already have hundreds of 55s. and Varget, so I think my next batch will be exactly that combo. Especially since my 69gr reloads didn't do well at all today. But I do need to drop the red dot and install a real scope on it to complete my quest

Thanks for the pointer!

[gcp]

I already have hundreds of 55s. and Varget, so I think my next batch will be exactly that combo. Especially since my 69gr reloads didn't do well at all today. But I do believe that I must exchange the red dot with a real scope so as to properly complete my LMT's best round/powder quest.

Thanks for the pointer!

[Alaskapopo]

I have had great luck with N135 (best I have used so far) and H335.
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g299/355sigfan/4-24-10%20Range%20report%20photos/Larue5shotgroupsbestever.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g299/355sigfan/4-24-10%20Range%20report%20photos/Laruegroup.jpg
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g299/355sigfan/AR%20style%20rifles/Laruedesc.jpg

[Alpha Sierra]

24.7 grains of Alliant Reloder 15 under a Hornady 75 grain match HPBT and Remington 7 1/2 primers helped me make master in NRA Highpower using a NM Rock River with both 1/8 and 1/7 barrels.

I loaded that to mag length for the 200 and 300 yard lines. For 600 I kept the load the same but used a Hornady 75 AMAX seated .015" off the lands (too long to fit in the mag).

However, if you don't mind fighting the wind a little bit more, the first load I posted will work all the way to 600.

[gcp]

This is more like it!

Targets of my LMT AR-15 with a X2 fixed Canadian sniper's scope at 150 yards using 55gr FMJ Fiocchis. Obviously likes the light loads but I've got to now develop some heavier hunting loads (> 62gr).
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0703/George/AR15%20and%2045%20ACP/LMT150yards.jpg

The cleaning platform I built proved to be very handy after the shoot
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0703/George/AR15%20and%2045%20ACP/IMG_3734.jpg

[goodoleboy]

It appears that the A-MAX may not be the proper bullet for an AR. The Hornady chart says OL should be 2.390" but there's no way such round would fit into the AR's mag. And I fear that when I seat the bullet low enough to feed through the mag the round may become unsafe due to excessive pressure. Any recommendations from our experts?

I'll probably need to call Hornady.....

I just found this interesting read http://www.zediker.com/books/ar15/images/ch6AR15.pdf

A-MAX won't fit the mag.

[wahoo95]

My go to loads for my 14.5" 1/7 and 20" 1/8 barreled AR's are:

Hornady 75r BTHP
24gr Varget
2.250
Winchester SR

Sierra 77gr SMK
24gr Varget
2.260
Winchester SR

Both loads are sub MOA in my rifles.