To load or not to load 80grain 223

[Kansaswoodguy]

I run a lot of the 75 Hornady 77 Sierra bullets they are the longest magazine length bullets that can be used. I use them for shooting 500 to 1000 yds with my AR's. I will not fool with anything longer because it can't be magazine loaded I didn't buy an AR to single load it. Maybe if I was completing I would consider playing that game but I do not.

I didn't get an AR to single load either. 77 SMK are certainly fine for mags. 77 TMK will probably have the same problem. I did cannelure 80 gr SMK once but it's tricky.

both the 75's and 77's I use are the un-tipped older match style bullets

 

[Kansaswoodguy]

These three bullets I've used at magazine length no problem.

Brownells Luxembourg

Brownells Luxembourg

Brownells Luxembourg

 

[Kansaswoodguy]

These three bullets I've used at magazine length no problem.

Brownells Luxembourg

Brownells Luxembourg

Brownells Luxembourg

And use IMR 8208 XBR powder if you can find it

 

[xsn10s]

And use IMR 8208 XBR powder if you can find it

I used TAC and H4895. But I hear that IMR 8208 XBR is also excellent for bullets in this weight class.

 

[Old Rooster]

And use IMR 8208 XBR powder if you can find it

I look often and can't find it.
I think mine is on a ship waiting to get off loaded so I expect it to arrive after Biden leaves the White House.
Oh well.

 

[asd9055]

Nosler load data for the 80 grn CC shows for OAL 2.260", that would be magazine length!
This is where you can see Nosler

223 Remington Load Data

Explore the world of Nosler, renowned for crafting the finest bullets, ammunition, rifles, and brass. Discover our extensive lineup, including Partition, AccuBond, E-Tip, Ballistic Tip, Custom Competition, and more. Experience superior quality and performance with Nosler products.

www.nosler.com

But you have Hornady, so look in the Horandy load data.

 

[Rich Coyle]

Better check on this. It doesn't sound like good engineering.

 

[QuietTexan]

Nosler load data for the 80 grn CC shows for OAL 2.260", that would be magazine length!

The books tend to stop at whatever the standard max COAL is. 300 RUM = 3.600", 6.5Cm = 2.825", 223 Rem = 2.260", etc. The reality is the bullet might not get pushed all the way into the case, but you end up in the backwards situation of bearing surface starting at or below the case neck.

 

[asd9055]

I have a box of Nosler 80 grn CC I am planning to load at some time

 

[6pakzak]

Hor

Hornady eld match

80 grain

I look often and can't find it.
I think mine is on a ship waiting to get off loaded so I expect it to arrive after Biden leaves the White House.
Oh well.

Haha

 

[6pakzak]

So looks like I'll be sending them back, you think going max weight like 77grains is what I should get? I always thought in the middle would be best.

 

[Kansaswoodguy]

So looks like I'll be sending them back, you think going max weight like 77grains is what I should get? I always thought in the middle would be best.

Well it depends for me my distances are known and I never change them so I'm just figuring out wind normally so the heavy bullets are great on my 1000yd range. I also use 50-55gr vmax some for varmints out to about 400yds. I like the 53gr vmax quite a bit I've shot a 2" 5 shot group at 400yds out of 16" barrel AR with those bullets. For deer hunting with 223 I use 55gr GMX just depends on what I'm doing as to what bullet I choose and what gun for that matter. I have AR's sighted in for 55gr bullets and others sighted in for 75/77gr bullets. My 24" bull barrel pretty much just shoots the heavy bullets. One of my 16" AR's with a 1-12 twist WOA barrel only shoots 55gr.

 

[Kansaswoodguy]

I normally buy 1-8 twist barrels because I can shoot virtually any bullet weight without issue. Don't get to hung up on the matching twist rate to bullet weight for the best accuracy it's BS in my opinion. Just have to find a bullet, powder, combination your rifle likes.

 

[6pakzak]

I'll be happy if I can keep it under an inch consistently which according to tests should do that, I would have bought recon with free floated barrel but has been unavailable so I took patrol cause I could get it and I'm gonna free float barrel so hope that helps, think I got a ride trigger in it and polished it up a little and now about 2.5 pounds, I like it, just want to get the accuracy out of it, 55 grain VMAX are like 1.5 or more at hundred, not really happy with that.