Handload report - .223 out of VZ58

[Irons78]

Hi all - would like to share some handloading tests for VZ58 in 5.56x45. 1:7 twist.

I shot a 10 round group with Lake City military, I believe 55 grain bullet. 50 metres using iron sights (turned out my post needed adjustment). POA was dead centre of target:

Next 10 round group was experimental load. Used 40 grain Hornady v-max seated to 2.230. No crimp. 25 grains of H4895. 50 metres again, POA dead centre with iron sights (post adjusted this time!). I was thinking that the group might not be great due to light bullet and aggressive twist rate. For a first try I was pretty happy with the group:

[DaleH]

Looks good!

But I bet you'd shoot ragged hole groups w/ a heavier bullet. FWIW, the famed high power load for the Sierra 69-grn SMK is 25.3-grns Varget. I seat them 0.010"'off lands and they're 1/2-MOA at 100Y for 10-shot groups. Am tweaking/tuning the load now per Dan Newberry's OCW method.

With a 1:7 twist, you may want to try the 77s and heavier ... depends on your final use.

[Irons78]

Thanks for the feedback! I'm going to use the same recipe and see how they group at 100 metres next. I've also got some 55 grain vmax to try next. Having a hard time finding heavier 223 bullets. Might slap the scope on and see if I can tighten the groups more. Stay tuned!