223 accurate load

44marty · Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2011 6:38 pm Post subject: 223 accurate load

The following is from "Hartwell Gun", a member on AuctionArms. He has had great results with Savage HB (heavy barrel) .223 rifles. His recipe for success:
69 gr Sierra Match King HP bullet
24.5 gr Varget
Win primer
Adjust overall length to the individual rifle's preference (usually a bit longer than standard SAAMI length).

Here are some pretty impressive 100-yard results:

Three-round group in a dime:

Another nice group:

slimjim · Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2011 8:42 pm Post subject: Re: 223 accurate load

Not quite as good as your .204, is it marty? I don't shoot much at 100 yards any more but impressive!

Elvis · Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2011 9:30 pm Post subject: Re: 223 accurate load

is Varget the same as AR2206?

tikkat3 · Super Member Joined: Jul 30, 2006 Posts: 800

Elvis · Posted: Sat Mar 05, 2011 12:47 pm Post subject: Re: 223 accurate load

thanks tikkat3 I ask because 24.5grn of ar2206 is what I use with 50- 55grn projectiles in my rifle. not too hot and accurate as heck.

Vince · Posted: Sun Mar 06, 2011 5:10 am Post subject: Re: 223 accurate load

2206 is, or I should say WAS, a good powder, but like others, I have found 2208 (Varget) to deliver slightly better accuracy in the .223 with 52gn and 55gn projectiles.

The demise of AR2206. It appears that Thales (the new owner of ADI) has cut AR2206 from its line of powders...but fear not, there are other powders available from their range that deliver the goods just as well.

ADI Powders Handloaders Guide 5th Edition 2010

Cheers, Vince

tikkat3 · Super Member Joined: Jul 30, 2006 Posts: 800

My Tikka likes 25g BM2 with 55grn BT's

Elvis · Posted: Tue Mar 08, 2011 12:59 am Post subject: Re: 223 accurate load

they better plurry not drop ar2206h over here as I load ererything bar the .410 with it

stovepipe · Posted: Fri Mar 11, 2011 4:00 pm Post subject: Re: 223 accurate load

wish i could hold that good.

who goes and picks up the dime every shot? thats a lot of walkies!

Vince · Posted: Sat Mar 12, 2011 12:32 am Post subject: Re: 223 accurate load

Stovey wrote:

...who goes and picks up the dime every shot? thats a lot of walkies!

Lots of walkies...and for only a dime a time mate...pretty lousy pay if ya ask me. Very Happy

Cheers, Vince

moose2 · Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2011 6:12 pm Post subject: Re: 223 accurate load

Those heavy barrel savages seem to shoot pretty good. When I had mine, tiny little groups were the norm. Our standard load included Varget powder and 55 Gr. V-MAX bullets. Blue Dot loads with 50 gr. Hornady SP's were also very accurate. The kids really liked shooting these. The smallest groups I ever shot with this rifle were with the Blue dot loads.
Hard to beat these Savages for accuracy. Smile