I've never loaded 223 for precision...

[XDRoX]

Need some advice. I have a new upper on the way. It will be here next tues.

SS 20"
1:8
Wylde Chamber

I have never loaded 223 for precision before. Anything I should know?
My first question is do I use 223 brass or 556? I have tons of both.

If it matters I will be trimming on a Dillon trimmer.

I just went to my LGS and bought some powder, primers, and bullets. I haven't bought any of these things in years. This stuff got really expensive.
They didn't have any 77gr bullets so I got 69gr.

Any favorite loads with these components is appreciated.
I also have TAC in the garage.

Thanks

[highpower790]

Wether you choose 556 or 223 brass doesnt matter,just size accordingly and trim.
For a tight match chamber I recomend a small base die,some may say its not neccessary,but when a case sticks...

[XDRoX]

Wether you choose 556 or 223 brass doesnt matter,just size accordingly and trim.
For a tight match chamber I recomend a small base die,some may say its not neccessary,but when a case sticks...

I was hoping you'd chime in
I'll see if my neighbor has a small base die. I just have standard Dillon dies. I've never had a problem before though loading in bulk for plinking rounds.

Do you have any favorite loads for Varget and 69gr SMK's?
I've been doing some reading and found lots of stuff in the 24-25gr range.

[highpower790]

BR4s arent cheap,try rem7 1/2...$30/1000
Lately I have been experimenting with IMR4895 as a substitue for Varget.MY velocity is a little off my varget(24.5/2800fps))loadThis weekend I will be testing 4895 at 23.5 and 24 grs.
My last test yielded a avg of 2745 with a Hornady 75gr bthp.

[RugerNo1]

23-25 grains of Varget with a 69 or 75/77 Matchking is pretty much the standard load range for Service Rifle.

I mostly shoot 3-Gun now, but I have never needed a small base die. *knock on wood*

[klewan]

A Wylde chamber???? That's why it came into being, to shoot both .223 and 5.56 without issues!!! Good choice.


There's no way to shortcut finding the sweet spot for accuracy. It's trying multiple combinations and changing ONE variable at a time and see what happens. You avoid trying combinations hardly anyone has tried; like using Bullseye or 231 for powder, but once you get into rifle powders, it's cut and try. That's why peeps spend years trying all the combinations..it's all part of the gun culture.

[highpower790]

and dont use Tac if your looking for nice tight groups.It may go through a powder measure real nice but when outside temp goes up your groups will expand.

[Jeff213]

25.3gr of varget with that 69gr match king, you don't even have to work it up. Sierra's tested most accurate load in an AR from my sierra manual. Shoots great in my ar and bolt action.

One thing, with varget you need to weigh every charge because it doesn't meter very well.

[highpower790]

Powder(drop) charge metering for a service rifle wont make a difference.I use a RCBS powder drop and see +/- .2 difference.As long as all movements are consistent,thats what matters.

[Jeff213]

ok, well I weigh every charge with stick powders, i just drop 'em with ball powders from my lyman powder measure.

[highpower790]

ok, well I weigh every charge with stick powders, i just drop 'em with ball powders from my lyman powder measure.

My opinion is that it depends on what your doing.Its not wrong to drop ,but with a service rifle it just doesnt matter ,especially if the skill of a novice shooter is involved.

[jdmstuff]

No need for small base dies. Your Dillon ones will do just fine.

[milotrain]

There's no way to shortcut finding the sweet spot for accuracy.

One of the great things about service rifle is that it's one of the few times that this is actually not true. The community and the AMU has figured it all out a long time ago. You won't get appreciably more accurate than 24gr of Varget with a 77gr SMK/NoslerCC a quality primer and brass of the same headstamp. That's a .5moa load in almost every SS Hbar barrel I've sent it through. Doesn't matter the manufacturer, the bolt, the BCG, the upper. You float the barrel and you shoot it.

[highpower790]

One of the great things about service rifle is that it's one of the few times that this is actually not true. The community and the AMU has figured it all out a long time ago. You won't get appreciably more accurate than 24gr of Varget with a 77gr SMK/NoslerCC a quality primer and brass of the same headstamp. That's a .5moa load in almost every SS Hbar barrel I've sent it through. Doesn't matter the manufacturer, the bolt, the BCG, the upper. You float the barrel and you shoot it.

Milo...You talk like you have been mentored by a 25yr retired marine twice in charge of the marine corps rifle team at Quantico," shoot it"...hahaha

[milotrain]

Funny that.