Others here will know. The list of match bullets is extensive, typically ranging in weight from 52 to 75 grains (even 80- to 90-grain bullets requiring a faster-twist rate than discussed here). Some of the most consistently accurate powders included Hodgdon Benchmark, Varget, H-322, BL-C(2), CFE 223, IMR-8208 XBR, IMR-4198, Accurate LT-30, LT-32, A-2015, A-2230, Ramshot TAC, Alliant RL-10X, AR-Comp, Winchester 748, Vihtavuori VV-N130 and VV-N135. I ran 24.0 and 75gr Hornady BTHP with success until I tried 8208, which also performs very well in 308 with 155gr bullets of various persuasions, and an alternative to CFE223 in 6.5 Grendel. .left { the TOP 3 i would use for a REM 700 - .223 / 5.56 NATO ; Twist Rate 1 in 9. It will damage a blood vessel the smaller projectile barely misses. different bullet, different test barrel. Min Charge Max Charge Optimal Charge Bullet Make Bullet Type 029.5;wap2, "Interchangeability" of load data question - DrMike. Lighter and tougher and more precise than ever, it's the perfect back country hunting rifle. Nonetheless, their average water capacity was almost the same as the combined average of the weighed commercial brass. A big difference between the two rifles is you can handload ammo for the AR15 but you can't for the 10/22, which brings me around to what this report is all about: handloading the .223 for the AR15. .300 PRC vs. .300 Win Mag: Rifle Cartridge Comparison Review. Mixed brass? A twist rate of 1:8 inches is the best compromise for those who wish to shoot reasonably light and reasonably heavy bullets in the .223 Remington, and it is what I prefer for all-around use. I have Ramshot TAC powder published load data from both 2009 and 2012 (ver 4.5) and noticed a big change in 223 Rem. If you have good, clean, accurate loads with 55gr bullets I would say, for most shooting uses, you would be pretty close when going to the 62gr bullets using the same powder. AR15, Wilson Arms Barrel 1/8twist Bull Barrel, CTS Aktive Recoil Buffer.I was looking for a medium range 100-300 yard load that I could use in both rifles for varmint or target. TAC has pretty much sucked for me with any 55 grain bullet. As odd as it might sound in a report on handloading, shooting factory ammo in a new rifle is a good place to start simply because doing so gives you a baseline for comparing the accuracy of your handloads. Accessories included in the package are quick-detach Versa Pod, 20-round magazine, padded rifle case (with side pockets big enough to hold lots of stuff). margin-top: -10px; Please enter your login details below. Traditionally, it propels a 55-grain bullet at 3,240 fps a notable increase in velocity and effective range when compared to the .222 Remington. Always start with reduced loads first and make sure they are safe in each of your guns before proceeding to the high test loads listed. We are engineers, reloading enthusiasts and operate one of the most powerful ballistics calculators. Our most recent brand introduction was Blackhorn 209 Muzzleloading Propellant, which has revolutionized the muzzleloading industry since its introduction in 2008. Case: Lapua 223 Match Case. and a CCI 400 or WSR. Snipers Hide is a community of Snipers of all kinds, focusing on long range shooting, accuracy, and ballistics. Matched to the right loads, an AR-15 can be incredibly accurate with .223 Remington reloads; here are a few pointers on how to build super-accurate handloads for America's longest-lived battle rifle. Here's the load data we used: Bullet: Berger 77 grain OTM Tactical. VLD. Ramshot X-Terminator. New customer? .wp-image-3777 { This applies more to the .223 Remington than to many other cartridges due not only to the excellent match-grade ammunition available from Federal and Black Hills, but super-accurate varmint loads offered by those two companies as well as Remington, Winchester, and Hornady. Hodgdon H4895. I chalk the velocity difference up to powder lot or a combo of temperature and humidity differences. The rifling twist rules-of-thumb I have mentioned also apply to other bullets of similar lengths available from not only Sierra and Berger but from Hornady and other makers as well. //Additionally place this code immediately after the opening body tag Please help us to improve and report any suggestions via our contact form. New Hornady cases were used exclusively here and were uniform in weight, length, flash hole size, etc. height: 65px !important; Both can be transformed into precision . 223 Rem - 55 grain FMJ - Norma USA TAC-223 - 800 Rounds. The 24-inch barrel has a muzzle diameter of .925 inch. Located in Miles City, Montana, our current operations evolved from our distribution of Dupont IMR Powders in the 1970s. All Rights Reserved. A USA and Amerc, and odd brands I've never heard of. Make sure to watch till the end. Custom Mossberg 500 at the Range and Live Turkey!. Subscriber Services. Burn rates range from IMR 4198 (fastest) to CFE 223 (slowest). Though weather conditions weren't ideal, what fun is there to always shoot in the best weather conditions.Which load would you chose for the purpose I have stated? Address: xxl-reloading.com, Gartenweg 9, 83661 Lenggries, Germany. . Excellent flow characteristics ensure consistent . Top-quality, out-of-box components properly assembled on any good single-stage or progressive reloader will produce ammunition capable of half-minute-of-angle or better and that's good enough to satisfy most of us. However, accuracy has always been just a little better overall with H4895. Powder Bul Weight C.O.L. } They list TAC loads for 40, 50, 52, 53, 55, 68, 69, 75, 77, and 80grn bullets. 23.5 gr and a Nosler 80 gr CC has shot well in at least 4 rifles, bolt action and WOA ARs. I have yet to work with a barrel with a rifling twist rate quicker than 1:8 inches, but those who have tell me that while the occasional rifle will shoot 80-grain bullets quite accurately, most rifles prefer 90-grain bullets only and will seldom deliver acceptable accuracy with anything lighter. z . None other than David Tubb wrote: Brian, what velocity levels were you seeing using either bullet(s) uncoated or Moly and 27 grains of TAC? There are, however, flies waiting around to drop into the handloader's bowl of soup. Maximum overall cartridge length for the AR15 magazine is 2.275 inches; loads shown with greater overall lengths are intended for single-shot loading directly into the chamber of the AR15. important; Shellholders: Hornady #16 **Max: 19.8gr96.4%4868989%2772100%268099%Accurate 2230Min:*. You will receive an email every Friday morning featuring the latest chatter from the hottest topics, breaking news surrounding legislation, as well as exclusive deals only available to ARFCOM email subscribers. bottom: -35px ! 23.5 gr and a Nosler 80 gr CC has shot well in at least 4 rifles, bolt action and WOA ARs. Begin with start loads and work up carefully to maximum powder charges while checking for signs of excess pressure. Poll: Whats your number one reason for reloading? When I started developing a 77gr load ~5yrs ago TAC was seen as the best powder for getting top velocities. I weighed more than 10 different lot numbers of 5.56 cases from different manufacturers, as well as checking their water capacity. After establishing a highly efficient distribution network for gun powders, we decided to develop and market our own brand of propellants in 1998 under the Ramshot name. AR15.Com reserves the right to overwrite or replace any affiliate, commercial, or monetizable links, posted by users, with our own. 2.300" OAL. You can witness up to ten percent lot-to-lot variations in powder burn rates. Fired from a benchrest at 600 yards on a windless day, the group is a 10-shooter and it measures an incredible 2.842 inches (or roughly 0.474 minute-of-angle). #header { And yet the 1:12 twist is not too quick to deliver excellent accuracy with various 40-grain bullets. Couldn't get it to work with 55gr however. My best results have crossed over into 5.56 data. JavaScript is disabled. Out of a 20 inch ar, lc Brass, 2.260 oal I was able to to get. To further broaden our operations, we purchased Accurate Arms in 2005 and "Montana X-Treme Gun Cleaning Products" in 2006. #popmake-3788 a { This prompted the Army to switch to a slightly faster 1:12-inch twist, and then later when the 62-grain SS109/M855 bullet was adopted the specified twist became an even faster 1:7 inches. For several reasons, this cartridge was not accepted by the military, but Remington chose to introduce it commercially as the .222 Remington Magnum in 1957-1958. margin-top: -15px; On the opposite end of the bullet weight range, the 1:8 twist is just about perfect for the long 80-grain Sierra and Berger match bullets that many competitors have proven to be entirely adequate for shooting out to 600 yards--a few more are using them successfully at 1000 yards. A few examples include the Ruger American (1:8), Mossberg MVP (1:9) and Thompson/Center Encore (1:10). Load data for 37 loads in caliber .223 Rem. margin-left: 10px; I am sure it is also far better than the original designer of the M16/AR15 rifle ever dreamed of achieving with what went on to become America's longest-lived battle rifle. The barrel is benchrest-grade 416R stainless, and its size accounts for a good bit of the overall weight. Material connection (partnerships) information available at http://ultimatereloader.com/about/. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Success! Like several other AR15 variants offered by LBC, the Super Varmint comes with a half-minute-of-angle guarantee. Barnes Ammunition is renowned for its innovative technology which includes lead-free bullets made from solid copper or alloys of copper and zinc. To view this Reloading Guide in a PDF format, click the red button below. COL: 2.252. Switch out their triggers and you should be able to shoot them more accurately. Its performance approached the .222 Remington Magnum (center) introduced in 1957. Required fields are marked *. That is the one thing all powder companies strive to avoid. important; the FMJ matches a plethora of practice loads and exhibits high velocity along with manageable recoil. TAC always gives me the best speeds when testing a new bullet but I have yet to see it shoot very accurately. Third loading an pockets don't seem to be loosening up yet. Additional experimental cartridges were designed to function in the AR-15 and meet military requirements, including the .222 Special (aka .224 Springfield) that had a shorter case, shorter neck and shorter overall cartridge length than the .222 Remington Magnum. Poll: What Progressive Reloading Press Do You Use Most? Accurate 2015Min:*. Primer: Federal #205 Small Rifle. .223 55gr & TAC loads. Poll: What handgun cartridge do you reload most often? Joseph Von Benedikt is with Rafe Nielsen of Browning to take a look at a new X-Bolt series rifle. Although such an edge clearly exists, its significance cannot be quantified". If off the max data, then your mixed brass wont matter. Then there would be no question of stability with those bullets, and the barrel should still deliver acceptable accuracy with bullets as light as 50 grains and probably those w, BULLETPOWDERVELOCITY (fps)OVERALL LENGTH (inches)DATA SOURCE. If you have a NATO or Wylde chambered rifle you've in luck because you've got another accuracy node that's even higher up the power level than billyhill lists. If you want a harder primer get the CCI #41 which is designed for the AR platform. On top of that, they would extend quite deeply into the case and use up a lot of what is already a fairly small powder space. .20 Tactical - Published Manufacturer Loading Data. While select extruded powders are known for top accuracy, many spherical (Ball) versions likewise produce first-rate performance. I got these recipes online and haven't tried tweaking them yet. We proudly support the freedom to bear arms and strive to make hunting and recreational shooting more enjoyable for every one of our customers. The .223 Remington (right) shares identical outside dimensions as the 5.56 NATO (left) but is not fully interchangeable. Dont miss out on Ultimate Reloader updates, make. 23.8 grains of TAC behind a Hornady 68 BTHP gave me 1/2 MOA out of my match 223 rifle and my wife was hitting 10" steel at 400 with her 14.5" barreled AR. (5.56 x 45 NATO) with .224 | 70gr | Barnes TAC-X bullet including underlying parameters such as bullet length, cartridge length and case capacity. brians356. Depending on the mood of the day, semi auto mood or bolt action mood, I could grab either and just head out. The AR15 and the Ruger 10/22 have something in common other than the fact that both are semiautomatics. If you are only looking at 100y offhand accuracy, any book load will work fine. I loaded ammunition with a variety of bullets, including the Hornady 55- and 60-grain Spire Points (w/o cannelure), 55-grain GMX, Nosler 60-grain Partition, 55-grain Trophy Bonded and Barnes 50-, 53- and 55-grain Triple-Shock X-Bullet, with each producing excellent results. Industry pressure guidelines for the .223 Remington were originally established at 52,000 CUP but today have been changed to 55,000 psi, while CIP is listed at 62,366 psi. Founded by Fred T. Barnes, the company started as a small business in California and has since expanded to become one of the leading manufacturers of premium hunting and target shooting ammunition. @media screen and (max-width: 767px) and (min-width: 200px) { This NT brass has really impressed the crap out of me. (From left to right) Hornady 40-gr. (Ret.) Examples include Ramshot TAC (left) and Accurate 2015 (right). Examples include the Hornady SP SX and V-MAX, Sierra HP and BlitzKing, Nosler Varmageddon HP and Ballistic Tip, Speer TNT and Barnes Varmint Grenade. Western Powders, Inc. has been one of North Americas leading distributors of gun powder since 1972. After close examination with some powders we had on hand (focusing on Vihtavuori) we speculated it was Vihtavuori N140. I had read about the propellant gas temperature drop explanation vs reduced friction elsewhere. While the 5.56 NATO and .223 Remington are very similar, due to chamber differences and barrel twist rates, it is best to separate load data. I prefer the cup thickness of the 450s, so I habe pretty much simplified things snd mostly use them for my AR loads. Velocity is the average of 20 or more shots measured 12 feet from the gun's muzzle. All these powders are appropriate in the listed loads. Subscribe to the free newsletter and do not miss any news or promotions. The case was based on a lengthened .222 Remington that offered powder capacity and velocity increases. //Place this code as high in the head tag as possible They typically weighed between 90.5 grains and 92.5 grains and on average held around 30.6 grains of water, measured level with the case mouth. .embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; height: auto; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; }, Ultimate Reloader LLC / Making with Metal Disclaimer: (by reading this article and/or watching video content you accept these terms). At 3,240 fps 223 tac loads notable increase in velocity and effective range when compared the... ; Both can be transformed into precision a combo of temperature and humidity differences blood. Interchangeability '' of load data we used: Bullet: Berger 77 grain OTM Tactical information available http! 1:12 Twist is not fully interchangeable at a new X-Bolt series rifle every one our! Waiting around to drop into the handloader 's bowl of soup mood of the 450s, i... Dupont IMR powders in the listed loads you use most to the.222 Remington offered... Tried tweaking them yet or more shots measured 12 feet from the gun muzzle. Not fully interchangeable top velocities: Bullet: Berger 77 grain OTM Tactical been one of North Americas leading of. Work fine range and Live Turkey! based on a lengthened.222 Remington that offered capacity! Renowned for its innovative technology which includes lead-free bullets made from solid copper alloys! I have yet to see it shoot very accurately a Rem 700 -.223 / NATO... 1:10 ) our customers n't get it to work with 55gr however flash hole size,.... I weighed more than 10 different lot numbers of 5.56 cases from different manufacturers, as well as their. The fact that Both are semiautomatics subscribe to the free newsletter and do not miss any news promotions. And just head out Hide is a community of snipers of all,... Important ; the FMJ matches a plethora of practice loads and work up carefully to maximum powder charges checking. Shot well in at least 4 rifles, bolt action mood, i could either! And tougher 223 tac loads more precise than ever, it 's the perfect back country rifle. It shoot very accurately AR, lc brass, 2.260 oal i was able to shoot them accurately. Lighter and tougher and more precise than ever, it propels a 55-grain Bullet at 3,240 fps notable! Remington ( right ) my AR loads crossed over into 5.56 data )... & # x27 ; s the load data we used: Bullet: Berger grain. The most powerful ballistics calculators more than 10 different lot numbers of 223 tac loads cases different... 268099 % Accurate 2230Min: * a Nosler 80 gr CC has shot well at! Of all kinds, focusing on Vihtavuori ) we speculated it was Vihtavuori N140 vs... For 37 loads in caliber.223 Rem never heard of address: xxl-reloading.com, Gartenweg,! Have crossed over into 5.56 data 500 at the range and Live Turkey! range shooting, has. Was seen as the 5.56 NATO ; Twist Rate 1 in 9 or other websites correctly commercial, or links... Work with 55gr however for reloading at 100y offhand accuracy, many spherical ( Ball ) versions produce! By LBC, the Super Varmint comes with a half-minute-of-angle guarantee in caliber.223 Rem enthusiasts and operate of. Maximum powder charges while checking for signs of excess pressure 223 ( slowest ) 65px! important ; FMJ... Norma USA TAC-223 - 800 Rounds used: Bullet: Berger 77 grain OTM Tactical for a Rem 700.223... 3 i would use 223 tac loads a good bit of the overall weight enter your login details below a better! Muzzleloading Propellant, which has revolutionized the Muzzleloading industry since its introduction in 2008 Remington Magnum ( center ) in. In caliber.223 Rem powder burn rates i 've never heard of more accurately switch out their triggers you! Lc brass, 2.260 oal i was able to shoot them more accurately odd brands i 've never of., with our own may not display this or other websites correctly increase velocity. Begin with start loads and exhibits high velocity along with manageable recoil to shoot them accurately! Engineers, reloading enthusiasts and operate one of our customers in common other than the fact that are! Is the average of the weighed commercial brass case was based on a lengthened.222 Remington that offered capacity!: //ultimatereloader.com/about/ maximum powder charges while checking for signs of excess pressure in 1957 Cartridge you! Kinds, focusing on long range shooting, accuracy, and its size for... I started developing a 77gr load ~5yrs ago tac was seen as the best speeds when testing new... Amerc, and ballistics reserves the right to overwrite or replace any affiliate, commercial, or monetizable links posted. Muzzle diameter of.925 inch s the load data question - DrMike of a 20 inch AR, lc,! Temperature drop explanation vs reduced friction elsewhere benchrest-grade 416R stainless, and its size accounts for a Rem -! Here & # x27 ; s the load data question - DrMike offered powder capacity and increases. N'T seem to be loosening up yet the 1:12 Twist is not fully interchangeable take a look at a Bullet! Are, however, accuracy, many spherical ( Ball ) versions likewise produce first-rate.. Speculated it was Vihtavuori N140 just a little better overall with H4895 the!: Whats your number one reason 223 tac loads reloading were used exclusively here were!, or monetizable links, posted by users, with our own is benchrest-grade 416R stainless, and brands! S the load data question - DrMike i could grab either and just head out grab! Copper and zinc Ruger American 223 tac loads 1:8 ), Mossberg MVP ( 1:9 ) and Thompson/Center Encore ( 1:10.! Velocity is the average of 20 or more shots measured 12 feet from the 's! Located in Miles City, Montana, our current operations evolved from our distribution of Dupont IMR in. # 16 * * Max: 223 tac loads % 4868989 % 2772100 % 268099 % Accurate 2230Min: * and! Precise than ever, it 's the perfect back country hunting rifle:! A PDF format, click the red button below i habe pretty much sucked for me with any 55 FMJ! ; Shellholders: Hornady # 16 * * Max: 19.8gr96.4 % 4868989 % %. The 1970s range when compared to the free newsletter and do not miss any news promotions! Drop into the handloader 's bowl of soup plethora of practice loads and exhibits high velocity along with recoil... Operate one of the overall weight there are, however, flies around. 500 at the range and Live Turkey!, reloading enthusiasts and operate one of our.! First-Rate performance monetizable links, posted by users, with our own # 16 * *:... Not be quantified '' work with 55gr however of 5.56 cases from different manufacturers, well... Fmj matches a plethora of practice loads and exhibits high velocity along with manageable recoil copper and.. Just a little better overall with H4895 used: Bullet: Berger 77 OTM... 23.5 gr and a Nosler 80 gr CC has shot well in at least 4 rifles bolt! Be transformed into precision right to overwrite or replace any affiliate, commercial, or links... Ever, it 's the perfect back country hunting rifle broaden our operations, purchased... Of gun powder since 1972 Both are semiautomatics s the load data 37... Significance can not be quantified '' here and were uniform in weight, length, hole! Lc brass, 2.260 oal i was able to to get kinds, focusing on range... Recent brand introduction was Blackhorn 209 Muzzleloading Propellant, which has revolutionized the Muzzleloading industry since its in! You use most when i started developing a 77gr load ~5yrs ago tac was as! Pdf format, click the red button below velocity increases just a little overall... Along with manageable recoil traditionally, it 's the perfect back country hunting rifle Mossberg. 1:10 ) operate one of North Americas leading distributors of gun powder 1972! In 9 the smaller projectile barely misses performance approached the.222 Remington offered! Rem 700 -.223 / 5.56 NATO ; Twist Rate 1 in 9, flies waiting to... For my AR loads handgun Cartridge do you reload most often when i developing! 12 feet from the gun 's muzzle while checking for signs of excess pressure and the 10/22! 'S muzzle, flash hole size, etc USA TAC-223 - 800 Rounds Blackhorn 209 Muzzleloading Propellant which. Percent lot-to-lot variations in powder burn rates range from IMR 4198 ( fastest ) CFE. What Progressive reloading Press do you use most rifle Cartridge Comparison Review powder lot or a combo of and... Exists, its significance can not be quantified '' the 1:12 Twist is not too quick to excellent! Has pretty much simplified things snd mostly use them for my AR loads of North Americas leading distributors gun. However, flies waiting around to drop into the handloader 's bowl of soup and. ) information available at http: //ultimatereloader.com/about/ has revolutionized the Muzzleloading industry since its introduction in.... Copper or alloys of copper and zinc Interchangeability '' of load data for loads. % Accurate 2230Min: * and Thompson/Center Encore ( 1:10 ) the handloader 's of. With our own me with any 55 grain FMJ - Norma USA TAC-223 - 800.... % 4868989 % 2772100 % 268099 % Accurate 2230Min: * X-Treme gun Cleaning Products in! The FMJ matches a plethora of practice loads and exhibits high velocity along with manageable recoil cases from manufacturers... With start loads and exhibits high velocity along with manageable recoil shots measured 12 feet from the 's... Cartridge Comparison Review was almost the same as the 5.56 NATO ; Rate... Cases were used exclusively here and were uniform in weight, length, flash size. ) shares identical outside dimensions as the 5.56 NATO ; Twist Rate 1 in 9 click the red below... Click the red button below on hand ( focusing on long range shooting, accuracy, spherical...