I need some loads that might be good for 223 bullets in the 40 to 50 grain weights. I am trying 55 grain bullets now, and am not real happy with them. I need some ideas.

Mr. Boone--
I have two pet loads in the .223
1) W748 27 grains- 50 grain Sierra BlitzKing- .5" at 100 22"Barrel CZ527
2) H335 24 grains- 50 grain Hornady V-Max- .452" at 100 same gun
These loads are safe in my rifle and show no pressure signs. Start one full grain lower and work up to them.
Best of luck!

Also, go back to my post in reloading for "good load for .223Rem"
You'll see my targets and loads. That may help finalize your judgement on a load.

I've had good luck w/ IMR 4198 with the 40gr V-max. This combo will shoot 1/2" all day. I shoot 22gr, but work up to this in your gun. Brett

Daniel.....
There are several powders that work well in the 223 Rem...Win 748, BL-C(2), H-335 just to name a few. Years ago I had a 223 that loved Accurate 2230. Try the ball powders as they will meter well.



With that said, I just started working up some loads for this 700 LVSF in 223 Rem. Here are some 3 shot groups @ 100 yards I shot today using a 40 gr Ballistic Tip and Benchmark powder. From middle of the road to near maximum according to Nosler.The load that was 1/2 grain under max shot a .240" group. Theaverage of all the groups are .411" which isnt a bad start.

I always had great luck with Vihta Vuori N133 out of my 223 bolt guns. I also had good luck with W748. I always got my best groups with CCI Benchrest primers as well.

Nice groups, DoubleA!

I had the same results withW748 and my .223. The closer I got tothe max load with 50 grain BlitzKings, the tighter the groups got. Is this something you see often in varmint rounds?
I see the Benchmark worked well for you. I haven't tried that one yet. Does it perform well for you with several rifles or just the Rem LVSF?

I've had great luck w/ Hndy 45gr. Hornet in an AR 20" 1-9 as well as a M700.

This load was worked up in both cases.

45gr. Hndy Hornet
27gr. H-335
c.o.l. 2.200
vel. 3500fps. +/-
100yds. (+)1.2"
200yds. 0.0
300yds. (-) 7.2

As far as the 55gr. pills go, the 55gr. Win psp (Midway bulk)
over 25gr. of H-335
c.o.l. 2.240
vel. 3200
100yds.(+) 1.5
200yds. 0.0
300yds. (-) 7.5

YMMV Good luck !

Thanks to all you guys for your input. I will try some of , if not all of these loads. When I find the magic combination I will gladly let everyone know. I love doing the load development, but it can get to me sometimes. When you get that real good load worked up it feels sooooooo good.

For some reason or the otherfew folksuse IMR 3031 in the .223: Probably because of all the newer powders out there with catchy names. i have used IMR 3031 in the .223 for many years. Also use it in .308 and some .30-06 loads. You can drive a .223bullet just as fast with it as any other powder out there. It is just as accurate as any other powder out there. My favorite coyote load is 25.5 grains of IMR 3031, a CCI 400 primer anda Hornady 45 SP. When used in my .223s this round routinely makes 3/8 inch three shot groups at 100 yards. Up to 250 yards it makesbaseball size exit holes in coyotes.