.223 VARMINTER(EGP RELOADING SECTION)

MY BASIS FOR LOADING THE 223

There was a very interesting article in, I think, "Handloader" magazine about the .222 cartridge, on which the .223 is based. It was called something like "one cartridge, 20 powders". It was one of the more scientifically oriented tests I have seen.

Basically, this guy used:

	One gun--Benchrest 40X Remington .222
	One case type--Federal nickel
	One primer--Federal 205 match
	One bullet (Sierra 52 Match BTHP)
	And 20 powders.

With each powder he found the most accurate load. He recorded three 3 shot groups at that most accurate load, for each powder. He also recorded the speed at that most accurate load. This was an excellent premise for a test because it shows the natural tendency of 20 powders and they generally perform in a particular cartridge.

Aside from the phenomenon of barrel tuning, a particular load generally performs well in a particular cartridge because of the relationship of the powder burn efficiency and the cartridge volume. That is why there seems to be good universal loads (+ or - a grain or two) that work well in most guns (especially in .223). This how we get factory loads. This type of test shows the tendencies of the powder to be efficient in a particular cartridge. Efficiency would generally be said to manifest itself as accuracy and velocity.

The ball powders all did best (#1,#2,#3...) for accuracy, but were all accurate at about 3100 fps. (this seems to concur with my findings in .223--Win 748, H335 are most accurate at lower loads {26 -27 grs}.). So, this made the ball powders very low on the list for speed (around #8 to #10). There was one exception to this "slower is more accurate" rule, however. #4 for accuracy was AA 2015BR. Which, coincidentally, was #1 for speed!!! Now you must understand there was only 1/8" difference between #1 and #4 for accuracy (3/8" to 1/2") but 400 fps for speed (3100fps to 3500fps)!!! 3500fps is moving out for a .222!

[Testing could have been just slightly more scientific by shooting 5 groups and throwing out the high and the low. Accuracy testing of the top 4 was set askew by fluke groups that did not follow the range]

A .223 is very, very similar to a .222 but should be capable of even more speed because of a slightly higher case volume. Initial testing with Federal cases and primers and moly Sierra BTHP match bullets, shows a tendency for this powder to get tighter as the load gets hotter. A very good trend! At 24.5 grs I am @.4" groups and there is no signs of pressure at all. I think the case will hold .5 to 1 more grain of powder before it is too full to manage well during the reloading process (which, by the way, is an important factor when considering a .223 powder, this person in the article also discussed this for the .222).

For varminting this speed vs. Accuracy is important in the .223. High speeds with no loss in accuracy is extremely desirable. I am shooting for almost matching my 22-250!