Thread: Getting ES down with 223

Originally Posted by Pommy

Rigto, data time...

55gn Nosler Varmageddon (tipped, flat base)
Overall length of 2.350" (Forster seating die)
25.0gn AR2219 (individually weighed out on an A&D)
Federal GM205M primers

Three batches of brass, FL sized with a Forster die, fired stuff annealed with an AMP machine
Starline (brand new, flash holes left alone), average length 1.749" +/- 0.001"
Starline (fireformed, flash holes uniformed), all trimmed to 1.750"
Lapua (fireformed), also trimmed

Everything fired past a labradar.

Starline (new)
3311
3278
3245
3254
3274
3266
3240
3275
3267
3287
ES 71, SD 20.8, AVG 3270

Starline (fireformed)
3264
3295
3249
3319
3301
3259
3286
3287
3277
3279
ES 70, SD 20.9, AVG 3282

Lapua (fireformed)
3308
3287
3301
3311 (at this point I'm thinking "f$#k!, you gits better not be right")
3274
3328
3237 (aha!)
3248
3300
3316
ES 91, SD 29.7, AVG 3291

Bonus five rounds of 178 ELD-X hand loads from my 300 WSM to exhonorate myself (only four readings - the last didn't register since the muzzle brake and the chrono aren't friends)
2823
2820
2825
2828
----
ES 8, SD 3.4, AVG 2824

Picture of the 100m target...

Attachment 172201

The 223 action is not bedded into the stock very nicely which I think is contributing to the horizontal dispersion. Groups I think could have been better with a bigger badder scope like the VX5 on the WSM, but the Lapua 223 group is undoubtedly better than both Starline groups.

With @Steelisreal as my witness, the above is all accurate.

Greetings Pommy,
That was interesting. You have obviously drawn the obvious conclusions so I won't go over them. From my own .223 rifles I noted a much larger SD than with most of the larger cartridges. This with groups less than half the size of yours with Remington cases. My 7mm Rem SAUM handloads give low ES as does your WSM with similar accuracy. You may wish to consider a different aiming mark. I note that a good part of your 25mm dots are shot out by the end of the string which won't help with aiming. I mostly use the NZDA 50 and 100 metre targets which are a red circle on a white background. Mostly the 50 metre targets are used at 100 metres unless the scope is low power. These allow you to quarter the white circle with your cross hairs with the group forming in the circle. Bedding does seem to be high on your to do list though.
Regards Grandpamac.