I am going to start working up a load for my H&R .223. I want a powder that meters well so I dont have to weigh every charge. I also want an inepensive bullet that is reasonably accurate. The ammo will be used for target shooting 90% of the time. Any suggestions will be appreciated.

Not knowing what weight bullet you are wanting to shoot, I would suggest N133 or AA 2015 with the 50 gr. class bullets. If heavier bullets like the 69 gr. Sierra MatchKing is what you are wanting to shoot. I have found nothing better than N540.
There are so many bullet/powder combination that work well in the 223 it shouldn't be hard to find a load for your rifle.

Shoot Safe, Shoot Straight......RiverRat

All of my .223 loading has been with 55 gr. bullets, mainly Hornady SXSP and Winchester Power Point. Winchester 748 and Accurate 2230 work very well, and being Ball powders they measure like a dream.

Sierra 60gr hp cheap and almost as good as Matchkings works with 1-10 or tighter twist rate.
Some have had good results in a 1-12 twist,but I haven't.
If you have 1-12 or 1-14 52or53gr Sierra MK or 55gr Blitzking (cheaper and very good).
Winchester 748 gives high velocity and decent accuracy.I personally like H4895 not the newest,but gives very consistent accuracy with a wide range of loads,though not the highest velocity .
VV N133 is very good powder with lighter bullets if you can find it.You can order it but you have to pay hasmat charges.

1. 24.5grs. Benchmark
52-53MK
WSR primer and Win. brass

2. 55VMAX
24grs. Benchmark
.010" off the lands
same components

You should get >1/2moa with both loads, if your rifle is anything like mine. Jay

H335 and the cheapest bulk Hornady or Remington bullets you can buy in either 50 or 55 grs. H335 meters like water. I use 55 gr bullets accrost the board as I reload for 22-250's also but if I was reloading just for a .223, I'd probably buy 50gr's. Buy your bullets in lots of 500 or a 1000 but you can squeeze a lot of loads out of a pound of powder.

Like Bee says H-335, or H-322 powders along with Imr 3031 with 26 grs and 55gr bullet- rem-psp is cheap can get .2 accuracy at 3250 av.fps.

hodgdon BLC2 meters well

I like 55 gr Hornady Vmax and 28 gr IMR4895.

My most accurate loads are:
50gr. Hornady V-Max (boattail)
25.5 grains of H-Varget
or- 24.7 grains of H335
OAL-1.245"
I can put them in a dime at 100 yards with my AR-15-20" barrel, benchrest, CCI benchrest primers. I always buy in bulk, cheaper that way, and you can do a lot of shooting! H-Varget meters fine with LEE rifle charging die. Have fun!!

For prairie dogging, I use WC-844 or WC-846, the generic names for H-335 and BLC-2, but much less expensive when bought as surplus under the WC names. I also use 50-grain Speer TNT's bought in bulk packs of 500. By combining both, you get really cheapo loads that can be accurate enough to make the 500-yard Club on P-dogs with a .223.

For whatever reason, my Browning Micro-Medallion prefers 50 gr. weight bullets to the 52's, 53's and 55's.

AC

[ 11-09-2003, 10:50: Message edited by: Alberta Canuck ]

Another good buy on powder for the .223 is 2230C. It's avaliable from Natchez for $63.00 for an 8 Lb. jug. You can use load data for regular 2230 because 2230C has just a slightly slower burn rate. Bill T.

reload9mm,

What's your twist rate? I just bought a 700VS and I'm looking for a 50-55 grain load for the 1:12 twist.

Thanks,

Eddie

I checked the twist rate. I get 1 in 12.5". I'm sure it's probably either 1 in 12" or 1 in 13". I'm assuming the 55 grain bullets would work best with this twist.

Eddie---The twist rate in my Bushy, 20" HB is 1 in 9". Before I got to the loads I am using now, I did a LOT of testing. Slight improvements came with using the V-Max bullets, then the powder, and finally the CCI benchrest primers. I always start with the lowest grains, LEE book, then work my way up at .5. I never load to the max listed, velosity, in my opinon, doesn't always result in accuracy. Dan

I agree with the max load and accuracy. I've seldom gotten the best accuracy from a hot load. I'll give the V-Max and Varget load a try in my ArmaLite (1:9 also). I assume you're using BR-4 primers.? I think I have a carton. I would think this combo should work in the VS, as well. Hopefully, I'll get to the range this week. STUPID NEW COMPUTER SYSTEM! Had to work all weekend.

Thanks for the info.

Eddie

BR-4 is correct Eddie...I got real lucky and found 4 cartons (4m) for $12.50 each! (No, I'm not telling you where!) Just have to keep your eyes open all the time I guess! Good luck, and keep'em in the ten ring.... Dan

probably won't matter in Montana in the winter time, but many of these easy metering ball powders
get kind of crazy on hot days as barrel and cartridge temperature rise. Most of the stick powders mentioned 4895 etc meter ok and are more temp stable. Ball powders work fine, but be careful with near max loads on hot sunny days