Gallery Load for the .223 Rem?
This may have already been asked - but here goes?
I am looking for a load recomendation for the .223 Rem.
I want to use a cast 54/55grn RNFP GC (Lyman Mold) sized at 0.225"
NEF Single shot rifle w/ 24" bbl.
I want to create a light load for eliminating vermin and squirrels (aka sage rats).
I worked up a load awhile back with some help from this board and achieved some pretty good results - approx dime sized 5 shot groups consistently at 75yds at about 2200fps using the Lyman RNFP.
Using the same bullet (Just for kicks mind you) I want to tone this down a bit and make a load for short range squirrel shooting that will duplicate the .22 LR or in that ball park. Most of my data is leaning on the high end with no info for something on the lower end.
So I don't end up with a mess of testing can someone recommend to me a powder that would be a good choice for reduced loads in the .223? Perhaps Universal Clays, Unique or bullseye? I have all three of these powders on hand. I want to hit about 900-1200 fps range. Something not so hard on the ears and good enough for 50-100 yds of plinking.
Any help or thoughts would be appreciated!
Thanks
Eric
Reduced loads for the .223 rem.
Everyone,
Thank you for the load ideas.
Rather than take the loads in the Lyman manual and start reducing I was hoping someone had already done that and had a good range of powder charge to start with. It seems each of you did! Thank You!!
I have played around with IMR-4895, H110, Unique, Clays, Blue Dot but not Bullseye as of yet. I haven't tried reducing anything below the Lyman Cast handbook starting loads and wanted to know what worked for others.
I have found that IMR-4895 is too slow for low end loads accuracy wise and IMR-3031 is good for the 2100-2300 fps range in my rifle but not for anything slower. Unique seemed to be too touchy on the low end of the Lyman data and accuracy was mediocre. H110 - pure junk for accuracy in my rifle. With your recommendations I will try Bullseye and see what I can do.
I have found that the Lyman 55grn FP is purely amazing on sage rats for the terminal effect. I haven't hit a coyote yet but some friends say it does just fine. I would like to turn one of the cavities into a HP and see what it can do! I have heard that by turning this design in to a HP you move the weight more to the rear of the bullet thus increasing accuracy over the source design. I have seriously thought of throwing it on the lathe and seeing if I can pull it off once I get a 4-jaw chuck.
Overall it is nice to have a 2K load and a nice light casual close range load with the cast slugs. When the shooting gets hot and heavy it's nice to have a round for the circumstance!
Thanks everyone for the ideas and suggestions - time to hit the bench and put some light ones together.
Thanks
Eric