Thread: .223 load

Ok, so, after a load of reading. listening, imagining and purchasing bits an bobs I'm finally up and running with my 223 loading.

Initially I have loaded with Ferderal primers, Sako brass, Sierra 65 grn game pro projectiles on top of a spread of BM 2 powder from 23 to 24 grains. LOA of completed rounds is 57.10mm consistently.

I went with Benchmark 2 as I have a shorter barrel and wanted something a bit quicker burning than some of the other powders available. I have some other powder (8208). Might do some development with that later

The projectiles available is the issue. I struggled to find anything over 65 grain in a hunting round. Lots of FMJ stuff. (Not much 223 hunting ammunition to be had either. lots out of stock)

I did find some lighter 55 grain soft points which I will also try thru the new rifle when it finally gets here.

I'm quite excited to run my own reloads and see how they perform.

we are keen to hear how they go

Originally Posted by tac a1

Ok, so, after a load of reading. listening, imagining and purchasing bits an bobs I'm finally up and running with my 223 loading.

Initially I have loaded with Ferderal primers, Sako brass, Sierra 65 grn game pro projectiles on top of a spread of BM 2 powder from 23 to 24 grains. LOA of completed rounds is 57.10mm consistently.

I went with Benchmark 2 as I have a shorter barrel and wanted something a bit quicker burning than some of the other powders available. I have some other powder (8208). Might do some development with that later

The projectiles available is the issue. I struggled to find anything over 65 grain in a hunting round. Lots of FMJ stuff. (Not much 223 hunting ammunition to be had either. lots out of stock)

I did find some lighter 55 grain soft points which I will also try thru the new rifle when it finally gets here.

I'm quite excited to run my own reloads and see how they perform.

24gr BM2 with 65gr Sierra GMK.

I've just bought a new Tikka T3x Superlite Aspire. Beautiful rifle that I just couldn't resist when I saw it. 1:12 inch twist . Burris 3-9X scope.

I managed to score 1.5 kg of 2219 (H322) as it was a fantastic powder in my 222 Rem.

A mate happened to have 1 kg of AR2206H that he did not need. So I have enough powder for 1500 rounds. I also scored 1100 small rifle primer as a straight swap with a mate for large rifle primers.

I got 100 Sako brass new & 200 Fiocci once fired brass.

Projectiles are not that simple as they are so bloody expensive. I got 1 packet of Hornady 55gr SP & Sierra 60 gr HP. A mate gave me about 300 projectiles of Hornady 50 gr, Sierra 60 gr SP & the old Nosler Flat base 55 gr.

I've tried 3 or 4 loads with Hornady 55gr SP & Sierra 60gr HP using AR2219 and managed a few groups of 1 to 1.5 inches with 5 shots. Chronographed 55 gr at max 3200 fps and 60 gr at 3000 fps.

Hope to do more load development when the weather clears up.

The Hornady 55sp are a cheap pill and should go well I use 2206H in my Superlight but I use 80grn Targex

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Originally Posted by Nakihunter

I've just bought a new Tikka T3x Superlite Aspire. Beautiful rifle that I just couldn't resist when I saw it. 1:12 inch twist . Burris 3-9X scope.

I managed to score 1.5 kg of 2219 (H322) as it was a fantastic powder in my 222 Rem.

A mate happened to have 1 kg of AR2206H that he did not need. So I have enough powder for 1500 rounds. I also scored 1100 small rifle primer as a straight swap with a mate for large rifle primers.

I got 100 Sako brass new & 200 Fiocci once fired brass.

Projectiles are not that simple as they are so bloody expensive. I got 1 packet of Hornady 55gr SP & Sierra 60 gr HP. A mate gave me about 300 projectiles of Hornady 50 gr, Sierra 60 gr SP & the old Nosler Flat base 55 gr.

I've tried 3 or 4 loads with Hornady 55gr SP & Sierra 60gr HP using AR2219 and managed a few groups of 1 to 1.5 inches with 5 shots. Chronographed 55 gr at max 3200 fps and 60 gr at 3000 fps.

Hope to do more load development when the weather clears up.

all those projectiles will do the job nicely...just pick one and work your way through them..then use up next lot (says man who takes 3 different types of round with him !!!) the 50 grn hornady...are they spsx???? if so keep speed down to 3000ish 24.5grns 2206 type level and they will be great,VERY soft pill that is really varmit material,or pick shot carefully...awesome wallaby pill so should be good,if messy,on goats or fallow.

If 224 bullets are that short over there you might be able to import from AU.
You can buy 1000 55gr sierra super roo over here for about $250uad. They are around.
Dont know about postage.

Plenty here. Some getting a bit spendy though.

Nothing expensive about these really:

250 Hornady 55 grn $30/100, or 100 for $35

Speer 52 grn hollow point $38/100

https://www.gunworks.co.nz/shop/item...point-wc-2266b

recently seen the speer 52gn hps (awesome projectile) in bulk packs for cheaper still...

My selection is not there but yea the old prices are way up there. I brought some 125 30 cal way back before covid, now it's getting closer to the 100 dollar, at least far from the fifty or so I paid out.

I think I might still have an old sierra box (cardboard) and its got $17 on it..I've also got some rws ammo and its in shillings and pence or something (Im not that old)