.223 Load Help....69 gr Sierra HPBT Match w/ Varget Powder

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imhntn

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I loaded a few and tested them today with 25.5 gr varget and they seem pretty hot. Primers are flat. Chrono'd at 2835 fps average for 3 shots. I think I am a little hot. The group was not that great either. Close to 2" at 100 yrds. Anybody got any experience with this bullet? I am shooting this out of a DPMS 3G1 AR rifle.
 

ASP785

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That really isn't that hot of a load for a NATO chamber. I would be shocked if you couldn't find something that shot better than 2 moa with the 69grn SMK. It's a good bullet. Have you tried any other powders with your setup?
 

mach1soldier

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Try lower. I'm using 24.0 to 24.4 grains of varget with 69 gn sierra's and getting 3/4 to 1 inch (5 shot) groups shooting with a bipod and rear sand bag.

I hand weigh each charge and sort brass by weight but no other fancy steps. I don't turn the necks or anything like that.

I'm using a 24 inch 1-9 colt.
 

Hoov

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I run 24.1 grains of Varget when I use it. I have switched to CFE-223 because it meters so well and actually does keep it clean. I would tell you to go down in charge since you are just punching paper. I do use those same boolits.
 

imhntn

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Thanks guys. I am using a micrometer adjustable powder measure so went down a click and loaded 4, dropped another and loaded 4 and one more time. Heading out in a minute to see how these group. I had never heard of the CFE-223 powder. I will check into that and see if any is available.
 

MoBoost

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In my experience 223 is extremely sensitive to case volume when reloading AKA the case weight.
25.5gn Varget is what I use for my service match rifle feeding from magazine, but I use Lake City brass weight sorted 92.5gn. This is on the far light side of available brass and that's the reason I'm using it; any other brass will have much smaller internal case capacity (I've seen cases in 110gn range) and therefore the load has to be alot lighter.
 

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