Unhappy with my .223 reloads SD/ES

[stainlineho]

Just started reloading .223 Rem and I'm not very happy with my SD/ES performance. I also reload 6.5CM and have SDs below 5 and ES around 10-13 consistently now.

For my .223 I'm using once fired LC brass from some Black Hills ammo. CCI 450s, TAC and Berger 73gr Target BT bullets. Case prep is done with RCBS bushing die with a 245 bushing. I'm getting around 3 thou neck tension with this LC brass. I trim/chamber/debur with a Giraud and run a Autotrickler v4 with FX-120i to throw powder.

24.6gr of TAC has yielded the best groups so far with about 100 rounds on this Tikka barrel.

Velocity 2952fps
ES 92
SD 44

Anyone have any recommendations? I have some Varget on the way to try out as well.

 

[Rusty Shakleford]

Get lapua brass

There are quite a few powders that shoot well with .223 varget is a good one for heavies in .223. N140 or N540 too

Is there a reason you’re using magnum primers? I’ve only used srp for .223

 

[Rusty Shakleford]

If it’s in a bolt gun try 1-2 thousands neck tension.

 

[stainlineho]

Get lapua brass

There are quite a few powders that shoot well with .223 varget is a good one for heavies in .223. N140 or N540 too

Is there a reason you’re using magnum primers? I’ve only used srp for .223

I'm going to get some good brass down the line. I'm sure that will help. Just using the 450s b/c I have 5k on hand.

And yes, it is a Tikka bolt gun with 24" barrel.

 

[Rusty Shakleford]

Most of the 77 grain stuff has settled in a good node around 2600-2750 in a 20” barrel in a few different rifles, you may try to find a lower node as well.

 

[rosewood]

Is there a reason you’re using magnum primers? I’ve only used srp for .223

I understand he is shooting a bolt gun. But CCI recommends 450s in ARs because they say the 400's are too soft for a floating firing pin. When using CCI, I only use 450's in my ARs for this reason. Other brands are fine.

Rosewood

 

[rosewood]

I have had really good luck with RL15 with a Hornady 75gr BTHP in my Colt HBAR (1:7). Can't recall the ES or SD, but it will do 1/2 MOA with the right combination and wouldn't shoot worth a poot with other components I tried.

In my Rem 700 .223, it shoots 52 BTHP 1/2-3/4 MOA with Benchmark. I believe the 700 is a 1:12 twist.

What is your twist rate? It may be too slow for heavy bullets.

Rosewood

 

[Rusty Shakleford]

I understand he is shooting a bolt gun. But CCI recommends 450s in ARs because they say the 400's are too soft for a floating firing pin. When using CCI, I only use 450's in my ARs for this reason. Other brands are fine.

Rosewood

Harder cup like the #41 primers I got it

 

[medium187mph]

I understand he is shooting a bolt gun. But CCI recommends 450s in ARs because they say the 400's are too soft for a floating firing pin. When using CCI, I only use 450's in my ARs for this reason. Other brands are fine.

Rosewood

450’s are recommended for ball powders and most bulk 223/556 is a ball powder type of some sort.

I use the 400’s on 3031 and Varget using 77gr SMK and use 450’s on BLC2 and H335 on bulk 55gr FMJ

 

[stainlineho]

I have had really good luck with RL15 with a Hornady 75gr BTHP in my Colt HBAR (1:7). Can't recall the ES or SD, but it will do 1/2 MOA with the right combination and wouldn't shoot worth a poot with other components I tried.

In my Rem 700 .223, it shoots 52 BTHP 1/2-3/4 MOA with Benchmark. I believe the 700 is a 1:12 twist.

What is your twist rate? It may be too slow for heavy bullets.

Rosewood

1/8 twist. Groups are acceptable and I think can be improved. I want this to be a 1,000 yd gun so I'm interested in the consistency with the velocities at distance.