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GUTS Member
Joined: Nov 01, 2007 Posts: 85 Location: South Dakota
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Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 10:19 pm Post subject: .223 load test |
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I have a DPMS 24"BB in .223 and a Colt A3 HBAR Elite, they are almost identical rifles, both have about the same round count, approx. 150. I figured it was about the end of break-in and time to find what each one liked for food. I loaded 12 different loads, 10 with 55grn VMax and 2 with SS109's. The cases were all once fired LC 06 prepped identically, 1.750" trim, WSR primers, mag length(approx. 2.260"), powdered one at a time with 505 scale and trickler, no crimp, and chambered one at a time without the mag. I shot 5 shot groups at 100yds. It was calm, sunny, and 25 degrees. I used a LeadSled DFT and used the same scope on both rifles, using factory Federal ammo to rezero. It took a few hours but it was fun. I know this dosen't mean anything for anyone elses rifles but mine, I just figured you guys would find it interesting. Here is a couple of pics of the two best groups with each rifle and the worst. The list is the complete test results as accurately as I can measure.
Colt
1 .335" 24.7grns H335 VMax
2 .337" 24.3 H335 VMax
3 .765" 27.0 Varget VMax
4 .938" 24.5 H335 VMax
5 1.021" 23.5 IMR4895 VMax
6 1.050" 24.4 IMR4895 SS109
7 1.059" 25.3 IMR4895 VMax
8 1.103" 25.0 Varget VMax
9 1.280" 25.3 H335 VMax
10 1.286" 26.0 Varget VMax
11 1.579" 24.0 Varget VMax
12 1.850" 24.7 Varget SS109
DPMS
1 .534" 26.0grns Varget VMax
2 .556" 27.0 Varget VMax
3 .631" 24.3 H335 VMax
4 .668" 24.7 H335 VMax
5 1.008" 24.5 H335 VMax
6 1.230" 25.3 H335 VMax
7 1.302" 25.0 Varget VMax
8 1.411" 24.4 IMR4895 SS109
9 1.436" 24.0 IMR4895 VMax
10 1.491" 25.3 IMR4895 VMax
11 1.680" 23.5 IMR4895 VMax
12 2.180" 24.7 Varget SS109
Can I get a break on the pulled shot in the second Colt group? Thanks
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Pumpkinslinger Super Member
Joined: Sep 22, 2007 Posts: 5002 Location: NC foothills
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Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 11:58 pm Post subject: Re: .223 load test |
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Pretty extensive test, thanks for sharing the results! I'm working on a load for my DPMS "Lo Pro Classic" using 60 to 70 grain bullets (1 in 9" twist). If I ever get a chance to test some I'll pass the results along.
By the way, if you can call the flyer it don't count!
_________________ Mike
"I ain't no better than anybody else, and there ain't nobody better than me!" Ma Kettle |
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Dawgdad Super Member
Joined: Feb 08, 2006 Posts: 1065 Location: On the Prairie
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Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 8:49 am Post subject: Re: .223 load test |
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What is the max load for Varget with the V-max? Looks like V-max likes the speed with that powder. ( probably more case fill density)
I would load 24.5 of H335 under the V-max and call it a good load for either rifle. That appears to be right in the sweet spot for that load.
_________________ Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency... |
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GUTS Member
Joined: Nov 01, 2007 Posts: 85 Location: South Dakota
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Dimitri Super Member
Joined: Nov 25, 2005 Posts: 5946
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Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 5:02 pm Post subject: Re: .223 load test |
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I'd go with the "27.0 Varget VMax" load if I was you, I know its not as good in the Colt but would mean you could reload one type of .223 and not have to think about if its the right one your feeding it cause they still shoot pretty good with it!
Dimitri
_________________ A thousand hills, but no birds in flight, ten thousand paths, with no people's tracks. A lonely boat, a straw-hatted old man, fishing alone in the cold river snow. |
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GUTS Member
Joined: Nov 01, 2007 Posts: 85 Location: South Dakota
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Dimitri Super Member
Joined: Nov 25, 2005 Posts: 5946
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Posted: Sat Jan 19, 2008 5:42 am Post subject: Re: .223 load test |
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True Guts!
Still I'd forget what was for what gun. And feed the DPMS's the Colt ammo and the Colt the DPMS ammo.
Dimitri
_________________ A thousand hills, but no birds in flight, ten thousand paths, with no people's tracks. A lonely boat, a straw-hatted old man, fishing alone in the cold river snow. |
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Crackshot Super Member
Joined: Oct 23, 2005 Posts: 1693 Location: Mich
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Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 5:51 pm Post subject: Re: .223 load test |
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Guts,
We load rounds for 9 Different 223's in this house, 7 of wich are AR type rifles, we use color coded boxes and Dymo labels to save time and alot of head scratching.
By the way, Nice results with your tests. I love my Bushmaster's and DPMS rifles, I have one I just assembled my self with a custom Kreiger barrel of 920" diameter in 1-12 twist. Just finished it so I dont know what it will do yet. Its 0 degrees with a wind chill of well below zero.......Im not shooting in that crap.
_________________ The human mind is the weapon, the gun is just one of its tools. |
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GUTS Member
Joined: Nov 01, 2007 Posts: 85 Location: South Dakota
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Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 9:50 pm Post subject: Re: .223 load test |
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It gives a whole new meaning to cold bore shot. I know the feeling, it got down to -12 F. last night here.
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Vince Site Admin
Joined: May 25, 2005 Posts: 15718 Location: Brisbane AUSTRALIA
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Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 4:33 am Post subject: Re: .223 load test |
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_________________ Cheers, Vince
Illegitimi non carborundum
(Never let the bastards grind you down)
Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.
"Nulla Si Fa Senza Volonta."
(Without Commitment, Nothing Gets Done) |
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Crackshot Super Member
Joined: Oct 23, 2005 Posts: 1693 Location: Mich
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Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 10:11 am Post subject: Re: .223 load test |
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Nice Vince! Does it ever get nasty cold for long in your part of the world?
_________________ The human mind is the weapon, the gun is just one of its tools. |
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GUTS Member
Joined: Nov 01, 2007 Posts: 85 Location: South Dakota
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Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 12:06 pm Post subject: Re: .223 load test |
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I'm glad you made it through the night okay.
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Dimitri Super Member
Joined: Nov 25, 2005 Posts: 5946
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Vince Site Admin
Joined: May 25, 2005 Posts: 15718 Location: Brisbane AUSTRALIA
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Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 5:24 pm Post subject: Re: .223 load test |
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Crackshot wrote: |
Nice Vince! Does it ever get nasty cold for long in your part of the world? |
Depends what part of Australia you are in mate. Like the US, we are a large country. In the Far North we are totally tropical...only two seasons, Wet and Dry. In the Far South we aren't all that far North of Antarctica. Were I live is basically sub-tropical...we are on a par with Baja California Mexico. We are on the 27*N Lat line. During Winter we commonly get down to single figures at night...bearing in mind that we use the Celcius or Centigrade means of measuring temperature. 0*C is 32*F.
To get back onto topic...I have found that the best powder for 55gn bullets in the .223 is AR2208 (Varget). Having said that, we didn't try the whole gambit of available powders for two reasons...#1 powder is not cheap here in Australia, and #2 AR2208 (Varget) gives excellent accuracy in the three rifles we load .223 for.
Cheers, Vince
_________________ Cheers, Vince
Illegitimi non carborundum
(Never let the bastards grind you down)
Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.
"Nulla Si Fa Senza Volonta."
(Without Commitment, Nothing Gets Done) |
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