Recommended .223 Loads for 50gr Bullets?

[doc540]

shooting .223 in a Savage 12 with a 26" varmit barrel.

For accuracy only, what loads do you recommend for 50gr soft point bullets?

Since I was able to buy several thousand of them, I'm using Varget and IMR 3031 (only powders available locally) and looking for an accuracy sweet spot.

cliffs:
light bullet, varmit barrel, accurate .223 load?

 

[427mach1]

Every gun is different so a load that is accurate in my gun may be garbage in yours. Load up several cartridges at various load levels between min and max, take them to the range, and see how well they group. Your gun will tell you, by the groupings, which loads it likes and which ones don't work. That is the beauty and the fun of reloading. Experiment, be careful, and have fun!

 

[doc540]

thnx

spent some time this afternoon loading from 25.5 to 27.5(max) in .3 increments

hope the weather breaks so I can test tomorrow

 

[Mobuck]

I built some extremely accurate ammo using 50 grain Nosler BT and Ramshot Xterminator.

 

[doc540]

I'd try Ramshot if I could find any.

 

[doc540]

found a sweet spot today

And how is it possible for one round to tumble but still be right on the money?

What would cause a random tumbler?

 

[tenx]

3031 is long grained and dosen't meter as well as some other powders. i've used a ton of it with good results though. after shooting a lot of 223 rifles, i've found that if 26 grains of 4895 dosen't shoot good, likely most everything else dosen't shoot well either. usually i just load all the 223 with 4895 and shoot. prepping brass makes some difference. i've found that reaming/uniforming flash holes make a lot of difference with some brass. ream flasholes after swaging primer pockets. sometimes theres a burr from the hole punching process and the inside rod on the swager smashes it down. a uniform flashhole diameter and length helps with uniformity and groups. hope this helps.

 

[mattsbox99]

That is a target you'll be able to talk about a long time. I can't believe that bullet still hit in the group and tumbled like that.

You didn't mention the make of bullet, but if it is one of the cheaper varieties I would suspect a void in the lead core. I would shoot a few more groups and see if any more tumble.

 

[Sagebrush Burns]

With a Hornady 50 grain V-Max my 223 really likes a maximum charge of Varget.

 

[doc540]

Thanks

I concentrated on being more precise and consistent with my powder throws with this batch.

better, but a long way to go

No more tumblers out of today's lot.

 

[BCB]

I shoot the 50 grain V-Max from a Super 16" Contender…

I used to always use H-335 or WC-844 powder…

Got a bit experimental one day and just thought I would try IMR-3031…

Probably won't going back to the other ones…

It is just a tad better accuracy than the H-335 and the WC-844. Accuracy is 0.5" to 0.625" at 100 yards…

I can hit 12-ounce cans at 200 yards probably 90% of the time…

The 'scope is a Burris 3x-12x—Got to have the visibility to shoot any reload well…

Velocity is 3007 from the 16" barrel…

Was only getting around 2940 with the WC-844 and a tad less with the H-335…

Good-luck…BCB

 

[doc540]

First time out to 200 yds.

A lot more of a challenge and more fun than 100, that's for sure!

50gr SP
25gr Varget

 

[BCB]

Just curious--what does that group measure?...

Five shots?...

BCB

 

[doc540]

not sure

but the stick on dot is 1.5"

can't wait to go back again with no wind and a little practice!

 

[doc540]

tried some Win 748 today with 68gr bullets

1/9 twist seems to like them

and the 748 meters like sugar!

 

[mswill]

doc, just curious as to which of the variations of the model 12 varmint series you are shooting?
Mike

 

[doc540]

doc, just curious as to which of the variations of the model 12 varmint series you are shooting?
Mike

FLV with the Cajun bolt :wink: