What would you do in selecting the .223 starting load?

Good summary and so long as you are above the minimums, starting low is never a bad idea- especially if you are a newb to reloading. I don't consider myself an expert but I now have years of experience loading thousands of rounds in the same calibers and with a given set of components. For sure in my early days I always started on the lower end of the scale. I might start more towards the middle now, so long as I know the variables.

You may end up at 25.0 grains as the best load, but I think it is best to work your way up- as you are doing. For example, if your scale is off- better to start low.
I was also thinking that I may end up with close to 25gr. I will be back for sure to post some range data. Oh, before I forget, time to change the chrono batteries...
 
I'd start at 22gr as you stated. No harm in starting low and working your way up. If you load to aics mag length, make sure you aren't jamming the bullets into the lands as this will increase your pressure.
 
I'd start at 22gr as you stated. No harm in starting low and working your way up. If you load to aics mag length, make sure you aren't jamming the bullets into the lands as this will increase your pressure.
working out the load is the 905 of fun. 22gr is probably tad low, but, would not hurt, of course. the final best load will be somewhere from 23.5 to 25.

all the loads i settled on were about 0.4-0.6gr under the max, but i moved to varget and with varget it is so simple - you just pour it into the case until it gets slightly crunched down when you sit the bullet. :)
 
working out the load is the 905 of fun. 22gr is probably tad low, but, would not hurt, of course. the final best load will be somewhere from 23.5 to 25.

all the loads i settled on were about 0.4-0.6gr under the max, but i moved to varget and with varget it is so simple - you just pour it into the case until it gets slightly crunched down when you sit the bullet. :)
My final goal is to settle done with one powder per caliber but in the last few years any powder you can get your hands on is a good one!
 
As I promised that I would report back on my tests/measurements. Below is what I got
(now the world knows that I am a bad shooter but I did have a good time :) )

OAL=2.214”, 47F, no wind, 26” Remington 700 SPS, 26” barrel, 1/12 twist rate, 100yd, table-top
H335 powder, 55gr Everglades FMJ projectiles.

22gr/2901fps (2904,2907,2918,2916,2860), 1 3/8” grouping
23gr/2992fps (2929, 2940,2962,3052,3080), 2 7/8” grouping
24gr/3170fps (3183, 3140,3077,3103,3207,3310), 2 ½” grouping (actually 9 shots with 3 lost chrono readings)
25gr/3440fps (3455,3419,3428,3441,3459), grouping 1”

I may explore more around 25gr but not sure if 3440fps is at the high end of 223 rem velocity for a 1/12" twist rate barrel?
 
As I promised that I would report back on my tests/measurements. Below is what I got
(now the world knows that I am a bad shooter but I did have a good time :) )

OAL=2.214”, 47F, no wind, 26” Remington 700 SPS, 26” barrel, 1/12 twist rate, 100yd, table-top
H335 powder, 55gr Everglades FMJ projectiles.

22gr/2901fps (2904,2907,2918,2916,2860), 1 3/8” grouping
23gr/2992fps (2929, 2940,2962,3052,3080), 2 7/8” grouping
24gr/3170fps (3183, 3140,3077,3103,3207,3310), 2 ½” grouping (actually 9 shots with 3 lost chrono readings)
25gr/3440fps (3455,3419,3428,3441,3459), grouping 1”

I may explore more around 25gr but not sure if 3440fps is at the high end of 223 rem velocity for a 1/12" twist rate barrel?
Nah 1/12 you can push them , might want to try some lighter bullets also.
Its been a while , but I helped my friends sone crony some 223 loads. He picked up a really nice older waetherby 223 1/12
Benchmark powder IIRC
He was pushing 3500+ fps with 50 fn nosler balistic tips and some 55 gn into the low 3400s
I think his worst groups where sub 1.5 seems if I recall 3100-3250 range had some strange results from stringing to flyers.
 
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Nah 1/12 you can push them , might want to try some lighter bullets also.
Its been a while , but I helped my friends sone crony some 223 loads. He picked up a really nice older waetherby 223 1/12
Benchmark powder IIRC
He was pushing 3500+ fps with 50 fn nosler balistic tips and some 55 gn into the low 3400s
I think his worst groups where sub 1.5 seems if I recall 3100-3250 range had some strange results from stringing to flyers.
Thanks for the info!
I learned that 55gr bullet is a little heavy for 1/12" twist rate only "after" I bought a few thousands of 55gr FMJ bullets. Too late.
I am a little uncomfortable now t oshoot the 55gr bullet in my 1/12" rifle. May sell the bullets or get a new new rifle :)
I used to use 40gr Hornady VMAX and I had excellent results (around 1 MOA is common).
 
Thanks for the info!
I learned that 55gr bullet is a little heavy for 1/12" twist rate only "after" I bought a few thousands of 55gr FMJ bullets. Too late.
I am a little uncomfortable now t oshoot the 55gr bullet in my 1/12" rifle. May sell the bullets or get a new new rifle :)
I used to use 40gr Hornady VMAX and I had excellent results (around 1 MOA is common).
223 , good bullets a decent rifle and some solid fundamentals , its a forgiving round.
As for a new rifle? Depends on what tou want to do with it.
If your punching paper inside 200 yards eh , are you varmint hunting ?
My friends son picked it up for long rang critter control on the farm he lives on. Think he shoots out to 350
 
223 , good bullets a decent rifle and some solid fundamentals , its a forgiving round.
As for a new rifle? Depends on what tou want to do with it.
If your punching paper inside 200 yards eh , are you varmint hunting ?
My friends son picked it up for long rang critter control on the farm he lives on. Think he shoots out to 350
I doubt the 55gr Everglades FMJ are decent bullets. I will focus on grouping as soon as I narrow down a powder charge and see what's the best that I can get. I do not do hunting. 350 yard shooting in a farm? I wish I can pay him my range membership fee to him and shoot in his farm! Where is his farm, in NE?
 
Western part of the state up in the corner Vermont, New York area on top of that he gets paid to make sure the coyotes groundhogs and other crop damaging varmint gets taken care of. I know most of the shots are within side 200 yards it would actually make a good gun range. It has a large natural backstop, and where you would shoot from for the longest possible yardage is slightly angled down
 
I doubt the 55gr Everglades FMJ are decent bullets. I will focus on grouping as soon as I narrow down a powder charge and see what's the best that I can get. I do not do hunting. 350 yard shooting in a farm? I wish I can pay him my range membership fee to him and shoot in his farm! Where is his farm, in NE?
They might surprise you.
I was doubtful of the hornady bulk 55s nut they will do moa with out much effort.
I seem to have been lucky 24 gns of varget seems to do well from 52-77 gn. I have 80s to try at some point.
Now if only I could be as consistent ! Lol
I have 1/9 1/8 1/7 barrels the 1/8s are my best.
 
Western part of the state up in the corner Vermont, New York area on top of that he gets paid to make sure the coyotes groundhogs and other crop damaging varmint gets taken care of. I know most of the shots are within side 200 yards it would actually make a good gun range. It has a large natural backstop, and where you would shoot from for the longest possible yardage is slightly angled down
Eh try em and find out.
Might be good for plinking.
 
so peculiar, i think i got burned by military #41 primers.
this is how my 69SMK load groups used to look like. it was repeatable and consistent.
1676396075090.png

i just did a test today of heavy noslers and hornadys and started shooting with 69SMKs to establish a baseline. only diff on that batch - and i made 400 of them - was that i used a #41 CCI instead of #450, and it was SUPPOSED to be identical.
first 2 on the left, top and bottom - nowhere near the same groups. so annoying. and the ES/SD of 91/28?!

i think i gonna just move to noslers rdf now 100%, they are still available as blems for 21c.
223.jpg
 
Update,
OAL=2.214”, 77F, 5mph NW, 26” Remington 700 SPS, 26” barrel, 1/12 twist rate, 100yd, table-top

Based on previous discussions and after several tests, I settled on 25gr H335 with 55gr Everglade FMJ.

Interesting (but not surprising) finding:

After 10 test shots, I shot 5 groups with 5 shots in each group. The average velocity increased 0.6% after each group of 5 shots. So after 5 groups, the velocity increased 3.1% compared to the first group.

Group 1: 3291fps
Group 2: 3308fps
Group 3: 3360fps
Group 4: 3373fps
Group 5: 3392fps

Not sure the data is useful to anyone but thought I'd share it. Thanks.
@mac1911 @paul73 @xtry51 @MC56
 
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