.223 Reloading

[Leezie 0]

Hi, I’ve just bought a new .223 and am taking it up the range this coming Tuesday to try out some new re-loads. I’m new to this calibre and along with my other Section 1’s, I have it on an open ticket (professional pest controller). My main target-species is going to be old-Charlie. I’ve reloaded .243 for Roe, but am new to .223. My test batch is a mixed load of VV N-130 with various 55 grainers. Can anyone advise me / share their success stories in relation to favourite / most successful bullets and charges.

 

Thanks, Lee.

[peashooter 0]

Hope you dont mind but I would like to know the same aswell I am waiting on a .223 and I will be reloading also.

 

Cheers

 

Rich

[Leezie 0]

Hope you dont mind but I would like to know the same aswell I am waiting on a .223 and I will be reloading also.

 

Cheers

 

Rich

 

Hey, don't mind at all Rich! Hopefully some of the guys will be able to to help us both! I'm using Speer spitzers on Tuesday (plus Remmy fmj's for getting it on the paper intially). All charged with VV N-130. I use Nosler ballistic tips in the .243 and found them to be fantastic...nothing has walked away from them so far! I wanted to try V-max and Sierra Blitzkings in the new rifle with the smaller rounds, but ain't been able to buy any locally. I'm looking for a round that's going to take care of a charlie, but not over-penetrate...got my doubts about the Spitzers, but I'll let you know how I get on.

[No messin 2]

When I had a .223 the best load I had was 23 grains of VV N133, 55 grain Nosler Ballistic Tips seated into the lands to make a square mark on the bullet. >1/2" groups from a standard remmington VLS with trigger adjusted. Same load shoots well in my mates CZ .223

[drober34 0]

I thought I would add a little bit to this item with my experiences with .223. I have a Sako sporter weight which I use for Roe and Fox and find the same bullet/powder combination suitable for both.

 

I use 55gr Speer Boat-Tail bullets and 23gr of VV N-130, which is slightly down on maximum loading but I have found no practical reason to push the load to maximum. I full neck size, trim to length every time, and press the bullet in to 10 thou off the lands. I have seen no over-pressure signs and consistently get 1" groups at 100 metres with a 6x42 Habicht scope (I know some people will say this could be better but my eyesight has deteriorated at 57 years of age, and anyway how much more accurate do you have to be for humane shots !!)

 

I considered using 55gr Ballistic Tips for foxes once, but a friend used them in his 22-250 and had bad experiences with blow ups on impact and severe wounding. His experience put me off their use so I still have 50 rounds loaded with them but unfired.

 

In conclusion, I would say that you have chosen a fantasic calibre for a Fox/Roe rifle. Flat shooting, minimal recoil, kind on barrel life, inexpensive to reload and well up to the task.

 

Good luck to you.

:clapper:

[gosflyer 0]

i use .223 for fox and roe, using the same bullet for both, speer 52 grain hollow point match boat tail, with 26 grains of hodgdens 335 and magnum primers, shot a 50 out of 50 at the rifle club turkey shoot thats tighter than thumb nail at 100 metres. shot the same load for donks and killed loads of deer and fox without problem, even a bronze medal buck. if your powder combo doesnt work give this one a go [bANNED TEXT].