Well the last weeks rain let up yesterday and this Monday morning I made it to the 100 yard range to test m y first 223 loads.
I had made up 23.0 to 26.0 of Varget in .5 steps pushing 55gr V-Max bullets. All cases was PMC head stamp and trimmed and sonic cleaned, wet cleaned with SS pins, and dry tumbled to get that final shine. 23.0 amd 25.5 both gave 5/8" groups but the 25.5 was putting two of the three bullets touching each other. Now I have to get the chrono info and tweek the scope as it was 3/4" high right. I am going to need a better trigger to do any better. I am happy with these results and I still got CFE 223 and IMR 4198 to test and Sierra 69gr HPBT Match bullets to try.

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Encouraging start! What rifle/twist/bbl length were you shooting them through?

Brand new M&P15 MOE Mid MAGPUL 1 in 8” 5R Rifling. I have a Nikon P223 4 - 12X scope on it. It does need a better trigger for bench rest shooting but the trigger is not to bad. Don

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Thats the same rifle I have, still need to get it out to 100+ yds. Your results are encouraging, though I'll have to get a nice optic to see it. Sub MOA is pretty good though for a rifle that isn't ridiculously expensive.

5/8" (5 shot 100 yard groups ?) is better than pretty good it's excellent.

The 69 gr Sierra HPBT and 25.3 grs of Varget is a match made in heaven. I believe Sierra even lists this as "most accurate" in their manual. The only load I shoot for the 69's.

Thanks I will give that a try. Don

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Mag,
Since you have a 1x8" twist you will notice a marked improvement when you shoot heavier bullets. I have only two brands of .223 bullets in my inventory. 55 gr Hornady for my Armageddon load and the 69 gr Sierra. Haven't shot anything but the Sierras for years.

I was using IMR 4895 for a long time, with decent results, but switched over to Varget and have never looked back. There are a bunch of new powders that have been introduced lately. Many get super reviews. The Varget and Sierras work for me and not up to trying multiple powders. I like to keep the inventory streamlined. Keep us posted on your testing.

Very nice work!

Please keep us posted with chrono work. Thanks.

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Nosler is also making a 69gr BTHP that performs very well.

23gr of Varget is yielding 2", 200yd groups with peep rear/globe front sights on a simulated 600yd target....

That is great with iron sights I douth my old eyes could even see 200yds with out a scope. Don

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You'd be surprised how easy it is with the correct size globe sight insert, the whole black of the target fits perfectly inside a wire circle..


Sight inserts.

Those are petty cool I have never shot with those type of sights only the old peep sights which was never a favorite of mine. Don

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First test loads.jpgWell I downloaded a new program to look at these groups and record the data. These are the first 5 groups the 2 groups of the near max and max wasn't as good. It appears to me the 23.0 starting load is what I am going with or maybe the 25.0gr. I am not going for speed so 23.0gr will work and save powder. I will run chrono test later.

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This is the pic I wanted to attach but could figure our how to edit the picture.

Well I can't get the text readable but here it is.

23.0gr Varget 55gr V Max Bullet

Max 0.535" 0.511 MOA

25.0gr Varget 55gr V Max

Max 0.552" 0.527 MOA

OnTarget Precision Calculator - [223 Rem 23.0gr Varget 55gr V Max.tgx_1] 2015-09-23 09.54.49.jpg

Attached Images

223 REM Test Loads Target 1A View.jpg (50.8 KB, 15 views)

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Here is the second target with the 25.5gr of Varget.

Attached Images

223 REM Test Loads Target 1B View.jpg (44.0 KB, 15 views)

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Just finished the last of my 4198 in .223 loads and was considering going to Varget for the next batch. The 23 gr. load looks pretty good. Have you settled on a load yet? I believe I'll load 10 rounds with 23 gr and see if mine likes it that well. Thank for the info.

Well it is either going to be the 23 or the 25.5gr and I like the 2.5 less powder load. They have just lifted the ban in shooting your own reloads at the indoor range I belong to so I am going to run my loads across my chronos. Glad they lifted the ban as the American Eagle they sold would only hold a 3.5" group when I took them to the outdoor range at 100yds. Don

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Here's a link to the Ruger Forum showing a 5 shot string that the OP's grandson shot. He was using the 69 gr Sierras and 25.3 Varget. One ragged hole. Without any evidence to the contrary I reckon it is legit.

If you are looking for best accuracy out of the 55 gr then continue on. If you are chasing ultimate accuracy from the rifle I'd step up to a heavier bullet. Your twist rate will support them and they are superior to the 55's. Keep us filled in on your testing.

stock mini 14 - Ruger Forum

Thanks I all ready have the 69gr Match Kings and will be loading them today. I only started with the 55 V Max as 55gr is a very common bullet and what factory loads were I got at the LGS. Don

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Don,
I don't know if you have a Sierra manual and I forgot to mention. The 25.3 load is just a little above midrange. The Service Rifle Data shows 23.3 starting and 26.1 max. Just for your info.
Regards

Thank you you may have just answered a question I was getting ready to post. My MP15 MOE is a 5.56 but I been using 223 Rem data from the Hornady 9th manual and Hodgdon online data as Varget is their powder. Well I was about to load my 69gr Sierra Match Kings and the 223 data does not go that high in the Hornady manual. Well they have a 223 Service rifle section that does and a 5.56 NATO. I guess I better start calling my AR a 5.56. Hornady list a 68gr BTHP so that load should be good. I would think. Don

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Don,
I just checked my Hornady manual and their data for the 68 gr is very light as compared to the Sierra Data. Hornady's 24.9 max is not even midrange for Sierra. I would use the data from the Sierra Manual.

I ran into similar conflicting data years ago when shooting 300 gr bullets from my .44 mag. The Sierra 300 gr max was a full 2 grains of 2400 more than the Hornady 300 grainer. 19.1 versus 17.1 grs. Both loads taken from the manufacturers manual. I worked up both and the data was correct. The Hornady began to show pressure above the 17.1 max. I shot the Sierras all day at 19.1 with no signs of pressure. A full 2 grains is enough to get someone into trouble if they are interchanging data between brands. Go from Sierra to Hornady and you might blow up a gun. Go from Hornady to Sierra and you are 2 full grains short of max. I always get the manufacturers manual.

Sierra lists 6 loads for Varget and the 69 grn. 25.3 is load 4 and shows 2750 fps from a 20" AR.

PM me if you need any more data.
Regards

Thought I had seen this online before. Took me awhile to find it. Hope it helps.

http://accurateshooter.net/Downloads/sierra223ar.pdf

I have not loaded above the 25.3 load with Varget. Prior to using Varget I used IMR4895 and did work up to their max of 24.5 with no issues so I'd say the data is accurate. I routinely used 24.3 with good accuracy in my DCM matches.

Thanks I am printing that out. Guess I should add a Sierra manual to my growing collection. Don

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