Thread: 223 on deer

Tried out some new loads through the .223 yesterday. Tikka t3x with 20" barrel and DPT suppressor. 25gn of 2208 with the 73gn ELDM gives me an average or 2760 fps. 25grains is a full case, OALL is 59.2 mm which is 0.3mm off the lands. Using a 61mm waters mag.
tried 2206h for the first time. same OALL with the 73gn ELDM.
24gn- 2860 fps
24.5gn- 2910fps
25gn- 2950fps

There was a gradual increase in primer cratering but even at 25gn it looked acceptable.
I may drop back to the 24.5gn load just to be on the safe side.

All these loads shot to the same POI and were grouped well under the inch at 100 m
with all 9 shots 3x3 test loads.
So at this point even with a change in the chamber to give a longer throat for longer OALL I would be surprised if I could beat the 2206H

Out of interest I also tried some CFE223.
24.5gn- 2712fps
25gn- 2800fps
25.5- 2850fps

No pressure signs and no primer cratering even at the 25.5gn load. So I think this powder shows some promise. Even though the 25.5gn is up around book max I will be trying 26gn and 26.5gn next range day. CFE is a very fine grain powder so no issues with case capacity which I like.

Originally Posted by zeropak

Tried out some new loads through the .223 yesterday. Tikka t3x with 20" barrel and DPT suppressor. 25gn of 2208 with the 73gn ELDM gives me an average or 2760 fps. 25grains is a full case, OALL is 59.2 mm which is 0.3mm off the lands. Using a 61mm waters mag.
tried 2206h for the first time. same OALL with the 73gn ELDM.
24gn- 2860 fps
24.5gn- 2910fps
25gn- 2950fps

There was a gradual increase in primer cratering but even at 25gn it looked acceptable.
I may drop back to the 24.5gn load just to be on the safe side.

All these loads shot to the same POI and were grouped well under the inch at 100 m
with all 9 shots 3x3 test loads.
So at this point even with a change in the chamber to give a longer throat for longer OALL I would be surprised if I could beat the 2206H

Out of interest I also tried some CFE223.
24.5gn- 2712fps
25gn- 2800fps
25.5- 2850fps

No pressure signs and no primer cratering even at the 25.5gn load. So I think this powder shows some promise. Even though the 25.5gn is up around book max I will be trying 26gn and 26.5gn next range day. CFE is a very fine grain powder so no issues with case capacity which I like.

24.6 of 2206 is where I'm at with 77 TMK and 80grn targex.

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Originally Posted by zeropak

Tried out some new loads through the .223 yesterday. Tikka t3x with 20" barrel and DPT suppressor. 25gn of 2208 with the 73gn ELDM gives me an average or 2760 fps. 25grains is a full case, OALL is 59.2 mm which is 0.3mm off the lands. Using a 61mm waters mag.
tried 2206h for the first time. same OALL with the 73gn ELDM.
24gn- 2860 fps
24.5gn- 2910fps
25gn- 2950fps

There was a gradual increase in primer cratering but even at 25gn it looked acceptable.
I may drop back to the 24.5gn load just to be on the safe side.

All these loads shot to the same POI and were grouped well under the inch at 100 m
with all 9 shots 3x3 test loads.
So at this point even with a change in the chamber to give a longer throat for longer OALL I would be surprised if I could beat the 2206H

Out of interest I also tried some CFE223.
24.5gn- 2712fps
25gn- 2800fps
25.5- 2850fps

No pressure signs and no primer cratering even at the 25.5gn load. So I think this powder shows some promise. Even though the 25.5gn is up around book max I will be trying 26gn and 26.5gn next range day. CFE is a very fine grain powder so no issues with case capacity which I like.

Reasonably happy with current load of 24.6gr Varget, 73ELDM, OAL 60mm, @2652 fps out of Howa 16' barrel. Groups around 0.8 moa. Thought I'd try AR2206H after reading above post. Loaded 24, 24.3 and 24.6gr powder with oal of 60mm. 3x rounds of each. Howa 16' barrel.
Results were: 24gr, 2754 fps av. ES 57, SD 30.
24.3gr, 2779 fps av. ES 47, SD 23.
24.6gr. 2804 fps av. ES 11, SD 6
Some promise with this powder , only problem was pierced Ginex primers. Will try again with CCI. Or just stick with Varget load.