Looking for a good start point with a 223 bolt gun

[chboats]

I have cast for 30 and 45 caliber rifle for several years but just got a 223 with a 26" heavy barrel. What velocity do you get your best accuracy? I am not looking for max speed but just a good load to shoot dangerous game such as paper targets, cans and even lolly pops at 50 to 100yds. I have 3 molds, a BRP 45gr, NOE's RCBS clone and an old Lyman 225462. Just looking for a mild to medium velocity that will be accurate.

Carl

[Jailer]

Your barrel twist will likely determine the velocity limit. You'll have to work your loads up to figure out at what velocity your best accuracy is at.

[AlaskanGuy]

7 or 8 gr of unique will be a great fun load for any of those 223 molds.... That is what I use...

AG

[chboats]

Forgot to mention that it has a 1:12 twist.
AG- I should have known, unique works in everything. I have used that load in 30-30 to 30-06 with good results
Thanks
Carl

[runfiverun]

try the noe with @11 grs of 2400.
make the boolits a bit harder than ww alloy and weight/visually sort.

[Jack Stanley]

Funny you should mention that BRP forty-five grain mould , I was out try a few bullets I cast from a borrowed Lyman 225353 flat base bullet the other day . I made up ten rounds with three point two grains of 700-X and a small rifle primer , groups were as good as many rimfire rifles and better than some .

Other than that , I'd say Unique or 2400 according to whatever alloy you want to use and twist of the rifle .

Jack

[leadman]

700X does work very well in the 223 and 22 K-Hornet for light loads.
I'm using a case full of H4895 and the 22 Bator in my Contender 223 Rem 23" bull barrel. Velocity is 3,619 fps average. Boolits are heat treated linotype coated with Hi-Tek Red Copper coating.

[Mechanicalmayham]

I am pushing +2900fps with jacketed ammo in a 1 in 12 Savage (my varmint gun), personally never loaded CBs for it. A good friend does and he's hitting steel out to 200yds with it. Not certain what his velocity is but he is using a TC with 22" pipe bored 1 in 12 with gas checked CBs. I believe they are longer than 55grs. If I remember to ask him when I see him Thurs I will let you know.

[chboats]

Thanks for the help. Is there specific velocity ranges the seem to work the best? Much like in 30 cal 1600 and 1800 always seem to work. One of the reasons I got the rifle is to keep shooting but using less powder and lead.

Carl

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

Thanks for the help. Is there specific velocity ranges the seem to work the best? Much like in 30 cal 1600 and 1800 always seem to work. One of the reasons I got the rifle is to keep shooting but using less powder and lead.

Carl

Using the 50gr Bator in 223 (1:12 CZ bolt gun), I use Red Dot, 4gr is about 1600fps...anything more and I get patterns instead of groups...you can probably use less and get near 22LR velocity

[quilbilly]

Thanks for the help. Is there specific velocity ranges the seem to work the best? Much like in 30 cal 1600 and 1800 always seem to work. One of the reasons I got the rifle is to keep shooting but using less powder and lead.

Carl Similar to JonB, I am using Bullseye for my 223 with the Bator boolit and about the same charge for the same velocity. Shoots pretty well out to 100 yards but I am not asking for extreme accuracy since I am using as Williams peep sight. Unlike the old triple deuce, I have found the 223 to be very tricky to load for even in guns of similar twist rates. Every barrel is different. An amazing array of powders will work on occasion.