V • RIFLE RELOADING DATA

223 Remington (Bolt Action)

Test Specifications/
Components
Firearm Used: Remington 600
Barrel Length: 24"
Twist: 1 x 14"
Case: Federal
Trim-to Length: 1.750"
Primer: Rem 7 1/2
Remarks:
Originally designed for use in the
military’s AR-15/M16 Service Rifle, the
223 Remington has become one of our
most popular civilian cartridges. And
for good reason. It is accurate, flat-
shooting and has a dizzying array of
suitable bullets available for the car-
tridge’s every task. Brass is readily
available at bargain prices—always a strong incentive for the handloader. All
things considered, it makes an outstanding varmint round. With all this going
for it, it comes as no surprise that virtually all major manufacturers offer their
respective bolt-action designs in the 223 Remington.
The bolt-action design affords the handloader a bit more latitude in powder
selection than a gas-operated system. Despite this, most of the powders used
in the semi-autos are also some of the best choices for use in a bolt rifle.
Hodgdon’s H322, H335 and Varget are all excellent choices, as are
Winchester’s 748 and Alliant’s Reloder 7 and 15. Since they generally use
barrels that are somewhat longer than those commonly found on semi-autos,
the bolt-actions tend to offer improved velocities. This effectively increases the
useful range of the cartridge without resorting to higher pressures. In the
varmint fields, a 250-300 yard shot is not unusual for the 223, and we’ve had
reports of hits at twice that range. Freed of the constraints imposed by port
pressure limitations, reduced loads for plinking and short-range practice are
entirely viable. With some of the heavier bullets, such as the Sierra 63 grain
Semi-Point, the cartridge has proven effective on small deer. In short, it is a
tremendously versatile cartridge
Unlike most of the currently available semi-autos, factory bolt-actions gen-
erally come equipped with 1x12" twist barrels. As such, they can handle
Sierra’s line of bullets from 40 to 60 or 63 grains, but not the heavier
MatchKing designs. This isn’t a problem in custom-built rifles, if the shooter
chooses a twist rate appropriate for the bullets used. With this cartridge, we
recommend a 1x10" as minimum for the 69 grain MatchKing, and a 1x8" for
77 or 80 grain MatchKings.

223
 RELOADING MANUAL • 5TH EDITION

BulletRemington
223 Name (Bolt Action) continued

#1200 .224" 40 gr. Hornet

C.O.A.L. 2.125"
#1385 .224" 40 gr. HP
C.O.A.L. 2.175"
#1440 .224" 40 gr. BlitzKing
C.O.A.L. 2.175"

Powder /Velocity 3200 3300 3400 3500 3600 3700

Viht N130 23.0 23.7 24.4 25.1
Viht N133 24.5 25.1 25.7 26.3
IMR-4198 21.5 22.0 22.5 23.0 23.5
AA-2015 23.0 23.6 24.2 24.8 25.4
RE-7 21.2 21.8 22.4 23.0 23.6 24.2
H322 24.1 24.8 25.5
AA-2230 24.8 25.6 26.4 27.2
748 26.5 27.0 27.5
BLC-(2) 28.2 28.8 29.4
H335 25.6 26.3 27.0 27.7 28.4 29.1
Viht N135 24.4 25.0 25.6 26.2 26.8
Varget 26.2 26.7 27.2
Energy/ft.lbs. 910 968 1027 1088 1151 1216

Powder Grains Velocity Ft. lbs.

Accuracy Load IMR-4198 23.0 3500 1088
Hunting Load H335 29.1 3700 1216

INDICATES MAXIMUM LOAD – USE CAUTION

LOADS LESS THAN MINIMUM CHARGES SHOWN ARE NOT RECOMMENDED.

224
 V • RIFLE RELOADING DATA

BulletRemington
223 Name (Bolt Action) continued

#1210 .224" 45 gr. Hornet

C.O.A.L. 2.125"
#1310 .224" 45 gr. SPT
C.O.A.L. 2.240"

Powder /Velocity 3100 3200 3300 3400 3500 3600

Viht N130 22.2 22.9 23.6 24.3 25.0
Viht N133 23.7 24.3 24.9 25.5 26.1
IMR-4198 21.2 21.7 22.2 22.7 23.2
AA-2015 22.6 23.3 24.0 24.7 25.4
RE-7 21.4 22.1 22.8 23.5 24.2
H322 22.6 23.5 24.4 25.3
AA-2230 25.1 25.9 26.7
748 25.6 26.2 26.8 27.4
BLC-(2) 27.4 28.2 29.0
H335 24.8 25.5 26.2 26.9 27.6 28.3
H4895 24.8 25.4 26.0 26.6 27.2
Viht N135 23.6 24.3 25.0 25.7 26.4 27.1
Varget 25.7 26.3 26.9
Energy/ft.lbs. 961 1024 1088 1155 1224 1295

Powder Grains Velocity Ft. lbs.

Accuracy Load H335 27.6 3500 1224
Hunting Load Viht N135 27.1 3600 1295

INDICATES MAXIMUM LOAD – USE CAUTION

LOADS LESS THAN MINIMUM CHARGES SHOWN ARE NOT RECOMMENDED.

225
 RELOADING MANUAL • 5TH EDITION

BulletRemington
223 Name (Bolt Action) continued

#1320 .224" 50 gr. SMP

C.O.A.L. 2.230"
#1330 .224" 50 gr. SPT
C.O.A.L. 2.250"
#1340 .224" 50 gr. Blitz
C.O.A.L. 2.250"
#1450 .224" 50 gr. BlitzKing
C.O.A.L. 2.250"

Powder /Velocity 3000 3100 3200 3300 3400 3500

Viht N130 21.9 22.6 23.3 24.0 24.7
Viht N133 23.0 23.7 24.4 25.1 25.8
IMR-4198 20.1 20.8 21.5 22.2 22.9
AA-2015 21.8 22.6 23.4 24.2 25.0
RE-7 21.0 22.0 23.0 24.0
H322 22.8 23.5 24.2 24.9
AA-2230 24.5 25.2 25.9 26.6
748 25.1 25.8 26.5 27.2
BLC-(2) 27.1 27.8 28.5
H335 24.5 25.2 25.9 26.6 27.3 28.0
H4895 24.4 25.0 25.6 26.2 26.8
Viht N135 23.3 24.0 24.7 25.4 26.1 26.8
Varget 25.2 26.0 26.8
Energy/ft.lbs. 1000 1067 1137 1209 1284 1360

Powder Grains Velocity Ft. lbs.

Accuracy Load H335 27.3 3400 1284
Hunting Load H335 28.0 3500 1360

INDICATES MAXIMUM LOAD – USE CAUTION

LOADS LESS THAN MINIMUM CHARGES SHOWN ARE NOT RECOMMENDED.

226
 V • RIFLE RELOADING DATA

BulletRemington
223 Name (Bolt Action) continued

#1410 .224" 52 gr. HPBT MatchKing

C.O.A.L. 2.250"
#1400 .224" 53 gr. HP MatchKing
C.O.A.L. 2.250"

Powder /Velocity 2900 3000 3100 3200 3300 3400

Viht N130 20.9 21.8 22.7 23.6 24.5
Viht N133 21.9 22.6 23.3 24.0 24.7 25.4
IMR-4198 19.6 20.3 21.0 21.7 22.4
AA-2015 21.8 22.5 23.2 23.9 24.6
RE-7 20.6 21.6 22.6 23.6
H322 22.5 23.4 24.3
AA-2230 23.7 24.4 25.1 25.8
748 25.0 25.5 26.0 26.5
BLC-(2) 26.6 27.3 28.0 28.7
H335 24.1 24.8 25.5 26.2 26.9 27.6
H4895 23.8 24.4 25.0 25.6 26.2 26.8
Varget 24.3 25.1 25.9 26.7
IMR-4064 24.2 24.8 25.4 26.0
Energy/ft.lbs. 990 1059 1131 1205 1282 1361
Powder Grains Velocity Ft. lbs.
Accuracy Load H335 26.9 3300 1282
Sierra does not recommend MatchKing bullets for hunting applications.

INDICATES MAXIMUM LOAD – USE CAUTION

LOADS LESS THAN MINIMUM CHARGES SHOWN ARE NOT RECOMMENDED.

227
 RELOADING MANUAL • 5TH EDITION

BulletRemington
223 Name (Bolt Action) continued

#1345 .224" 55 gr. Blitz

C.O.A.L. 2.250"
#1350 .224" 55 gr. SMP
C.O.A.L. 2.230"
#1355 .224" 55 gr. FMJBT
C.O.A.L. 2.250"
#1360 .224" 55 gr. SPT
C.O.A.L. 2.250"
#1365 .224" 55 gr. SBT
C.O.A.L. 2.250"
#1390 .224" 55 gr. HPBT
C.O.A.L. 2.240"
#1455 .224" 55 gr. BlitzKing
C.O.A.L. 2.250"

Powder /Velocity 2800 2900 3000 3100 3200 3300

Viht N130 20.5 21.2 21.9 22.6 23.3 24.0
Viht N133 21.4 22.1 22.8 23.5 24.2 24.9
IMR-4198 19.2 19.9 20.6 21.3 22.0
AA-2015 21.3 22.0 22.7 23.4 24.1
RE-7 20.1 20.9 21.7 22.5
H322 22.1 22.7 23.3 23.9
AA-2230 23.5 24.2 24.9 25.6
748 23.9 24.6 25.3 26.0
BLC-(2) 26.0 26.7 27.4 28.1
H335 23.0 23.9 24.8 25.7 26.6 27.5
H4895 23.1 23.7 24.3 24.9 25.5 26.1
Varget 23.7 24.5 25.3 26.1 26.9
IMR-4064 23.6 24.2 24.8 25.4 26.0
Energy/ft.lbs. 958 1027 1099 1174 1251 1330

Powder Grains Velocity Ft. lbs.

Accuracy Load Viht N133 24.2 3200 1251
Hunting Load H4895 26.1 3300 1330

INDICATES MAXIMUM LOAD – USE CAUTION

LOADS LESS THAN MINIMUM CHARGES SHOWN ARE NOT RECOMMENDED.

228
 V • RIFLE RELOADING DATA

BulletRemington
223 Name (Bolt Action) continued

#1375 .224" 60 gr. HP

C.O.A.L. 2.250"

Powder /Velocity 2700 2800 2900 3000 3100 3200

Viht N130 19.2 20.1 21.0 21.9 22.8
Viht N133 20.8 21.6 22.4 23.2 24.0
IMR-4198 19.0 19.7 20.4 21.1
AA-2015 20.8 21.6 22.4 23.2
RE-7 18.8 19.7 20.6 21.5
H322 21.0 21.8 22.6 23.4
AA-2230 22.1 22.8 23.5 24.2 24.9
748 24.2 24.7 25.2 25.7
BLC-(2) 25.5 26.3 27.1 27.9
H335 23.1 23.9 24.7 25.5 26.3 27.1
H4895 23.0 23.6 24.2 24.8 25.4 26.0
Varget 23.5 24.3 25.1 25.9 26.7
IMR-4064 23.6 24.2 24.8 25.4 26.0
Energy/ft.lbs. 972 1045 1121 1199 1281 1365

Powder Grains Velocity Ft. lbs.

Accuracy Load AA-2015 23.2 3000 1199
Hunting Load Varget 26.7 3100 1281

INDICATES MAXIMUM LOAD – USE CAUTION

LOADS LESS THAN MINIMUM CHARGES SHOWN ARE NOT RECOMMENDED.

229
 RELOADING MANUAL • 5TH EDITION

BulletRemington
223 Name (Bolt Action) continued

#1370 .224" 63 gr. SMP

C.O.A.L. 2.250"

Powder /Velocity 2600 2700 2800 2900 3000 3100

Viht N130 18.6 19.5 20.4 21.3 22.2
Viht N133 19.8 20.5 21.2 21.9 22.6 23.3
IMR-4198 18.5 19.0 19.5 20.0 20.5
AA-2015 19.7 20.6 21.5 22.4 23.3
RE-7 18.5 19.5 20.5 21.5
H322 20.3 21.1 21.9 22.7 23.5
AA-2230 22.0 22.9 23.8 24.7
748 24.1 24.8 25.5
BLC-(2) 25.2 26.0 26.8 27.6
H335 23.2 24.0 24.8 25.6 26.4
H4895 21.8 22.5 23.2 23.9 24.6 25.3
Varget 22.8 23.5 24.2 24.9 25.6 26.3
IMR-4064 22.6 23.3 24.0 24.7 25.4 26.1
Energy/ft.lbs. 946 1020 1097 1177 1259 1345

Powder Grains Velocity Ft. lbs.

Accuracy Load RE-7 20.5 2900 1177
Hunting Load Viht N133 23.3 3100 1345

INDICATES MAXIMUM LOAD – USE CAUTION

LOADS LESS THAN MINIMUM CHARGES SHOWN ARE NOT RECOMMENDED.

230
 V • RIFLE RELOADING DATA

BulletRemington
223 Name (Bolt Action) continued

#1380 .224" 69 gr. HPBT MatchKing

C.O.A.L. 2.260"
1 x 8" Twist Remington 600 - 24" barrel

Powder /Velocity 2600 2700 2800 2900 3000 3100

Viht N130 18.7 19.6 20.5
Viht N133 19.8 20.8 21.8 22.8
IMR-4198 18.2 19.1 20.0
AA-2015 20.0 20.8 21.6 22.4 23.2
RE-7 19.0 20.1 21.2
H322 20.0 20.9 21.8 22.7 23.6
AA-2230 22.2 23.0 23.8 24.6
748 24.0 24.7 25.4 26.1
BLC-(2) 25.0 25.8 26.6 27.4
H335 23.0 23.9 24.8 25.7
H4895 21.5 22.3 23.1 23.9 24.7 25.5
Varget 19.9 21.2 22.5 23.8 25.1 26.4
IMR-4064 21.9 22.7 23.5 24.3 25.1 25.9
AA-2520 22.0 23.0 24.0 25.0 26.0
Viht N140 21.4 22.4 23.4 24.4 25.4 26.4
Viht N540 22.5 23.3 24.1 24.9 25.7 26.5
Energy/ft.lbs. 1036 1117 1202 1289 1379 1473

Powder Grains Velocity Ft. lbs.

Accuracy Load Viht N540 26.5 3100 1473
Sierra does not recommend MatchKing bullets for hunting applications.

INDICATES MAXIMUM LOAD – USE CAUTION

LOADS LESS THAN MINIMUM CHARGES SHOWN ARE NOT RECOMMENDED.

231
 RELOADING MANUAL • 5TH EDITION

BulletRemington
223 Name (Bolt Action) continued

#9390 .224" 80 gr. HPBT MatchKing

C.O.A.L. 2.550"
1 x 8" Twist Remington 600 - 24" barrel

Powder /Velocity 2400 2500 2600 2700 2800 2900

AA-2015 18.8 19.8 20.8 21.8
H322 18.6 19.6 20.6 21.6 22.6 23.6
AA-2230 22.7 23.6 24.5
748 22.8 23.8 24.8 25.8
BLC-(2) 23.4 24.7 26.0 27.3
AA-2460 22.0 23.0 24.0 25.0
H335 23.4 24.6 25.8
H4895 21.8 22.7 23.6 24.5
AA-2495 21.3 22.5 23.7 24.9
Varget 21.7 22.6 23.5 24.4 25.3
IMR-4064 21.6 22.4 23.2 24.0 24.8
AA-2520 22.8 23.7 24.6 25.5
Viht N540 22.3 23.1 23.9 24.7 25.5
Energy/ft.lbs. 1024 1111 1201 1295 1393 1494
Powder Grains Velocity Ft. lbs.
Accuracy Load Varget 24.4 2800 1393
Sierra does not recommend MatchKing bullets for hunting applications.

INDICATES MAXIMUM LOAD – USE CAUTION

LOADS LESS THAN MINIMUM CHARGES SHOWN ARE NOT RECOMMENDED.

232