I've been using the scattergun approach to finding the most accurate loads for my .223s. Using the bullets I have in stock with the most popular powders. I'm shooting a 700 VLSSTH and a Rock River Entry Tactical.

What are the most accurate bullets for these guns? What are the best bullets considering value (bang for the buck - bad pun)?

Opinions may vary but I'll consider them all

I've had good luck with the Hornady 52 BTHP match bullet in my 223.

There are a lot of bullets that I haven't tried, but I've always been able to get good accuracy from V-maxes.

My Savage 1 n 9 does not like the 52gr match bullets. I am going to give the 60+gr a try

It would hard to beat Black Hills 'Blue Box' for impressive accuracy, just a bughole at 100 yards with my Lilja .223. I used a mic on their ammunition and believe I note a slight bullet crimp, whereas on my own match prepped loads this is not the case. Once fired mil. surplus brass shouldn't be this good, but it is. r in s.

quote:

Originally posted by Buglemintoday:
My Savage 1 n 9 does not like the 52gr match bullets. I am going to give the 60+gr a try

Discounting VLDs, my 12bvSS-S handles all the Berger bullets from 50 to 70 quite well. roger

I've had terrific success with Nosler Ballistic tips in 22 cal. The 50 gr. bullets seem to be more accurate for me than any other weight. Lots of the name brand bullets work just about as well. Sierra's are also very, very good.

Thanks Guys. So far I see Hornady 52BTHP, Sierra Match King 50 or 52, V-Max, Berger 50-70, and Nosler 50 for my 700.

And Sierra Match King 69 HPBP for the AR.

CZ 527 luvs Hornady 50 grain SXSP

I have had good luck with 50 g vmaxes and balistic tips in my rem. 1-12. The 50 g barnes flat base varminator shoots real well in both the 1-12 rem. and the 1-9 contender barrel. Its to bad they discontinued that bullet. I have also shot some real small groups with the sierra 52 bthp but I keep going back to vmaxes. I have not done any work with the varmint grenade in my 223 but it shoots well in the 22-250

find out what barrel twist you have, my savage has a 1 in 9 and so far 50 grain balistic tips and sierra 53 hp match shoot very well for me. this summer im going to try 55 balistic tips,v-max and bergers

Here is my method for finding an accurate bullet.
#1. Look at the shelf and see which boxes are the oldest.
#2 Pick a powder that is in the burning range for the cartridge and has been on the shelf for the longest period of time.
#3 Look in MY loading records and hopefully the two have been used before.
#4 Pick a charge that looks to reach the velocity target ( or 1gr under the book max)
#5 Load 1 virgin brass (.020 from touching) and test fire, inspect the case for any visable pressure signs.
#6 If there are no excessive pressure signs load another 5 virgin cases as above and shoot accross the chronograph, if velocity falls in the anticipated range load another 14 virgin cases and shoot for velocity and an accuracy baseline. If velocity is not accepatble return to step 5.
#7 Match prep the once fired brass and load with the powder charge from 5&6. Load 5 at the .020, 5@ .015, .010, .005,& .001- shoot.
#8 Load 10 each of the two best groups and repeat. If all about the same and acceptable I usually would go with the .020 in a hunting rifle.
#9 If none are acceptable try 5-7 with a different bullet and if that doesn't work try a different powder and repeat.You also could try seating the bullet at a greater distance (.025-.040).
This is a fairly involved process, but the results will be pretty accurate.
Alternative number two is to pick a seating depth and then play with the powder charge. Either way we are trying to find the "sweet spot" in the barrels vibration, both work.



www.duanesguns.com

Thanks again guys. Got enough info to keep me going all summer (too cold to shoot much from the bench here in Michigan). I'll post some results as they happen.

quote:

Originally posted by DuaneinND:
Here is my method for finding an accurate bullet.
#1. Look at the shelf and see which boxes are the oldest.
#2 Pick a powder that is in the burning range for the cartridge and has been on the shelf for the longest period of time.

... the oldest boxes of bullets and oldest powder ... What is that all about?

I generally use 40 or 50 gr Ballistic Tips or V-Maxs, but for value, the 50 gr Speer TNTs are hard to beat when you buy in bulk. They shoot very well in both my Savage and CZ .223s, if you are looking for a hunting bullet rather than paper-punching..

52 gr. Hornady Amax goes right where I point them.

Agree on the 52 A Maxes. Very good accuracy. Late last fall just before it got too cold to really enjoy yourself shooting from the bench, I loaded up some Berger 52 gr. FB match with H335 and headed for the 300 yd. line. Without a real load development shot a 1 9/16" 5 shot grp. Just cannot wait to start the season off useing that bul. once more. Old man winter just will not turn loose here in No. Wis. Good luck with your loads. Still cannot get the 69 gr. MK'S to do real well out of my 223 Bvss as yet. Maybe this will be the year for a change.

I used to use the Sierra 52 HPBT until I came across the Nosler BT's in the 40 gr. model. They were just a whisper more accurate.

I've heard good things about, but not tried ,
Hornady A Max, Bergers and some of the Barnes.

well i have a steyr tac elite in 223 and it likes 40 grain vmax but i use 63 grainers the hole time shoots inch groups at 200 yards and good clean kills

quote:

but for value, the 50 gr Speer TNTs are hard to beat when you buy in bulk. They shoot very well in both my Savage and CZ .223s, if you are looking for a hunting bullet rather than paper-punching..

I have to agree here. They seem to shoot well in any of my rifles with several different powders.

Hawkeye58

I found berger to be the most accurate.

I use a lot of Ballistic Tip 40 grainers, but you might try 52 grain Speer HP"s. They have shown good accuracy in several different .22 caliber rifles for me.

My NEF Handi-Rifle LOVES 55 grain Nolser Ballistic Tips. Not sure on it's twist rate.

My Savage Model 10 with 1 in 9 shoots them into one hole. It also shoots 40 grain NBTs into less than 1/2 MOA about twice as good as it does the Hornaday V-Maxes of the same weight.

My 700 VLSSTH in 22-250 loves the Sierra 52gr BTHP match bullets; my .223 Handi loves Nosler 50gr Ballistic Tips.

Sorry so long to answer the question about the "oldest" inventory.
The point is that most rifles will shoot well with almost any powder/bullet if you are willing to follow the process outlined. The other reason is to use up the powder( #1 reason) and bullets. Often a person finds a new loads and the components from a previous load sit on the shelf and gather dust waiting to become a collectors dream find.


www.duanesguns.com

This might help:
223 Remington / 5.56 NATO rule of thumb.....

1:12 - 55 grain max, best with 50 grain or less

1:10 - 60 grain max, best with 55 grain or less

1:9 - 69/70 grain max, best with 65 grain or less

1:8 - 77 grain max, beat with 69/70 grain or less

1:7 - made pretty much for the 77 - 80 grain VLD bullets

With a fast twist (1:9 or faster) and a light (like 40 grain) bullet pushed to a high velocity (3700 fps+), depending on bullet construction, you can cause the bullet to self-destruct from centrifugal force.

I like the Sierras and the Nosler Bal. Tips..in my 223, 222 and 6x45..That is about all I use anymore,particularly the Nosler Bal. tips in the lighter weights because they just explode a chuck...I just poped about 15 of them from my Kitchen window..I usually shoot about 40 of them per year and leave the rest for seed....

quote:

Originally posted by 390ish:
CZ 527 luvs Hornady 50 grain SXSP

What powder and primer?

Thanks
Fitch

I have a Howa HB Stainless in .223, Bell & Carlson Medalist stock, shoots one hole at 100m with 40gr Nosler BT, 25.3gr N133, CCI benchrest primers, Winchester Brass. Happy New Year.

Flyboy270

quote:

223 Remington / 5.56 NATO rule of thumb.....

1:12 - 55 grain max, best with 50 grain or less

1:10 - 60 grain max, best with 55 grain or less

Interesting. That fits my limited experience and what I have been given to understand. But here's the thing - my 22 Hornet with its 1-in-16 twist shoots 60gr SPFB bullets just fine! I currently use 55gr FB bullets and have a very nice, flat shooting and accurate load with them. Go figure!

Wow a 60gr in a 16 twist barrel at Hornet speeds that is amazing.

I've done a whole lot of 223 testing and found that the following bullets produce best accuracy in my rifles. Your rifle may like other bullets best.

Speer 50 grain TNT
Speer 52 grain HP
Speer 52 grain HPBT
Sierra 50 grain SP (1320)
Sierra 52 grain HPBT
Sierra 40 grain Blitz
Nosler 52 grain HPBT
Nosler 50 grain BT

I just bought some Berger Varmint bullets but haven't tested them yet.

Don

Wow! I thought this thread died last June. Thanks for new info.

I quit loading my own when I found that Georgia Arms loaded the Hornady V-Max and it produced one ragged hole from my rifle. I got 10 to test and after finagling a little, put the last 7 into one hole at 100yds. They are reasonably priced, I don't have to load them and are very accurate.

quote:

Originally posted by Fitch:

quote:

Originally posted by 390ish:
CZ 527 luvs Hornady 50 grain SXSP

What powder and primer?

Thanks
Fitch

I have had terrfic success with Benchmark powder and Winchester small primers. Think my load is 0.2 grains under max in the hornady reloading manual.