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.223 loads..best powder to start with???

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15 May 2004, 18:19
bowhuntrrl
.223 loads..best powder to start with???
My new toy will be here on monday, at least the UPS tracking says so. It's a Rock River Arms 18" heavy barrel varmint model with 2 stage target trigger. For now, I'll be mounting a 6x42 power scope on it since in New England, the shooting distances are not that long. It's main use will be coyotes. The barrel has a 1 in 9 twist, so some of the lighter bullets will be out of the question. I plan to start with 60 gr Sierras and maybe later try 55 gr if the 60's stabilize ok. It has what is called a Wylde chamber, something between a .223 and 5.56 chamber. I've got tons of powder, but mostly for my magnums. What is a good, accurate powder?? I like AA powders and Reliant powders. How about Lil Gun?? Is it too fast for the .223?? Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

bowhuntr
15 May 2004, 18:58
ricciardelli
For the 60's:
Varget From 21.7 grains to 27.1 grains
Remington 7-1/2 Primer

For the 55's:
X-Terminator From 22.7 grains to 25.3 grains
Remington 7-1/2 Primer
16 May 2004, 12:09
BECoole
Lil Gun is way too fast.
A 1/9 twist will shoot bullets up to 77gr. The 60 Sierra is a very good choice for hunting.
Powders to try include W748, Re15, H4895, Varget, some Viht powders like N140, N540, etc. I think the fastest powder I would try would be H322. That with lighter bullets like 50s.
16 May 2004, 13:18
Major Caliber
get a 8lb keg of AA-2230c for $60
16 May 2004, 14:17
Steve E.
I have a RRA also but mine is the 24 inch Varminter and it will shoot 1/2 of an inch at 100 yds with Winchester cases and primers, put 22 gr. of H335 and cork it off with a Hornady 68 gr. Bthp, I seat the bullet out as long as the magazine allows. It works great for me. I got one of the RRA Ntl. Match trigger kits and had it sent to White Oak Armament for John Holliger to work his magic on it. It is still a 2 stage, the first stage is so light it feels almost non existent and the second stage is set at 3.5 lbs and it is crisp. That helped the groups a whole lot.

Steve E...........
16 May 2004, 17:35
Atkinson
H335 and H322 seem to work best for me in the many 223s I have had over the years...Ocasionally BLc2 will perform a miracle.
18 May 2004, 04:08
KevinNY
The lighter bullets will work fine in a 1/9 twist. I buy RE15 by the case to feed my AR. The Sierra 60gr flatbase is the bullet I use for shooting reduced course(100 yard) matches, it will shoot 10 shots into a ragged hole in the paper from position with open sights, ought to be great for coyotes.
18 May 2004, 04:37
10at6
AA 2015 with the 60 grain Sierra or Hornady has been excellent in all of my AR match rifles with 8 twist barrels. H-335 works fine too.
18 May 2004, 06:40
Tom Harger
I agree with "Major Caliber". 55 grain bullets and 26 grains of 2230C will work. I have shot thousands of these.
18 May 2004, 06:53
Fjold
In short barreled 223's (15" XP-100) I use BL-C(2), it seems to work real well.