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Hello, I was wondering if any of you shoot heavily reduced .223 loads for use at gallery rifle ranges etc.? I would like to shoot my .223 at my local indoors range which means I have to keep velocity below 1750fps if memory serves. I can't use jacketed bullets either. I've found two published loads that interest me:

3.2gr Hodgdon Clays with a 55gr FMJ, 1060 FPS

5.4gr Red Dot with a 54gr cast bullet, 1675 FPS

I would like to use the cast 55gr GC bullet that Shellhouse sell (I don't cast my own). Ideally I'd like something inbetween these two loads in terms of velocity. I read a forum post where the Clays load apparently resulted in a stuck bullet which worried me. I'm more inclined to try the Red Dot load but it's getting fairly close to the velocity limit and that's the starting load. Any danger of going a few tenths of a grain under?

Any advice appreciated!

When I had a 223 and was shooting subsonic rounds I never had any bullets that stuck in the chamber - that was with the hodgdon data, 3.1gn of titegroup and a 55gn FMJ, which is almost identical to the clays load.

As for using cast bullets, your guess is as good as mine as I only used FMJ but I'd imagine that velocity/pressure would be different due to leads lower friction.

I shoot plenty of cast in my. 223. Best accuracy is between 1700 and 2200 fps depending on powder. This is with the 72 gr. NEI bullet. A good powder for this application is vectan gm3.

Thanks for the replies. I would like to try the Clays or Titegroup load but like you say I'm not sure what effect using a cast bullet instead of an FMJ will have. I would assume less pressure if the bullet is more slippery but I'd rather use a published cast load.

Lyman say that best accuracy was with the 54gr cast bullet at 2100 FPS. I can't go any faster than 1750, but that's the only published cast 223 data I have access to so I think that's the safest bet.

Just a thought.. the H and N plated lead bullet.. at 45 gn and 55gn shoot well at reduced load mv... if you can find them. If your e mail is available, I will send you a copy of an older Lyman cast bullet manual page for the .223.. you can probably find it online..

Mike95

Reducing fast burning pistol powders isn't a safety concern. It's reducing rifle powders that is said to cause issues.

Sent from my pink toy using "An application"

Thanks for the replies. I just bought the newest Lyman Cast Bullet manual so I'll see what's in that. Also got a PDF of an older one so I'm sure between the two I'll come up with a suitable load.

Also thinking about getting an AK now, I'll have to try and sort out a 7.62x39 load too!

7.63x39
165grain cast loverin bullet sized to .312. 3.2 grains of bullseye.

Cheers