I loaded some .223 Remington using Hornady 10th Ed data for service rifle with Hornady 68gr BTHP on top Accurate 2230. Lake City 1 time fired brass w CCI 400 primers. COAL 2.250 inches. Shot from a 18 inch barrel with 1:8 twist Aero Precision upper chambered in .223 Wylde.
In January I worked up start load (21.8 gr of A2230) and then 23.0 gr at 50 yds. Start load didn’t cycle. 23.0 gr was cycling and grouped up about 3 inches low at 50 yds. I didn’t get to try my next ladder load. It is 23.7 gr, which is below Hornady’s 24.2 gr max.
I got to Hap Baker yesterday. It was windy yesterday (maybe 15 mph or more). Warmed up with Winchester 55gr M193; they were fine through the gun.
I tried the 23.7 gr load and my first round wasn’t on paper at 50 yards. Lost. Load cycles fine. No pressure signs. CCI 400s are a little flat but with a rounded “bagel” shoulder on the primer. I managed a couple hits with the load at 50 yds and discovered this 0.71 inch long keyhole at the 9 o’clock.
Don’t know what to think of this. I figured faster velocity would only improve the bullet’s stability. Why’d it yaw so bad? The lower charge load (23.0 gr) didn’t keyhole in Jan, but wind was calm.
The .223 Wylde barrel with 1:8 twist should love 68gr projectiles. I shoot factory Frontier 68gr BTHP match through this barrel, and they group ok at 100 yds in service rifle matches.
In January I worked up start load (21.8 gr of A2230) and then 23.0 gr at 50 yds. Start load didn’t cycle. 23.0 gr was cycling and grouped up about 3 inches low at 50 yds. I didn’t get to try my next ladder load. It is 23.7 gr, which is below Hornady’s 24.2 gr max.
I got to Hap Baker yesterday. It was windy yesterday (maybe 15 mph or more). Warmed up with Winchester 55gr M193; they were fine through the gun.
I tried the 23.7 gr load and my first round wasn’t on paper at 50 yards. Lost. Load cycles fine. No pressure signs. CCI 400s are a little flat but with a rounded “bagel” shoulder on the primer. I managed a couple hits with the load at 50 yds and discovered this 0.71 inch long keyhole at the 9 o’clock.
Don’t know what to think of this. I figured faster velocity would only improve the bullet’s stability. Why’d it yaw so bad? The lower charge load (23.0 gr) didn’t keyhole in Jan, but wind was calm.
The .223 Wylde barrel with 1:8 twist should love 68gr projectiles. I shoot factory Frontier 68gr BTHP match through this barrel, and they group ok at 100 yds in service rifle matches.