223 Rem - 50gr Hornady Z-Max/V-Max with Varget & PP Varmint

Published on February 20, 2018
Duration: 23:32

This guide details the process of reloading .223 Remington cartridges using 50gr Hornady Z-Max/V-Max bullets, Varget, and Alliant Power Pro Varmint powders. It emphasizes accurate component preparation, precise OAL measurement, and careful load data analysis, drawing on the expertise of Johnny from Johnny's Reloading Bench. The video demonstrates meticulous testing procedures and analysis of results, highlighting the accuracy potential of these lighter varmint bullets in an AR-15 platform.

Quick Summary

Reload .223 Remington with 50gr Hornady Z-Max/V-Max bullets using Varget (24.4-25.6gr) or Power Pro Varmint (26.0-27.2gr). Target an OAL of 2.240 inches for AR-15 compatibility. Power Pro Varmint yielded a 0.470-inch group, while Varget provided consistent accuracy around 0.561 inches at 100 yards.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction and Bullet Selection
  2. 01:53Load Data Analysis
  3. 03:33Component Preparation
  4. 04:06Powder Charging and Bullet Seating
  5. 10:38Range Testing and Rifle Specs
  6. 11:32Shooting Results: Power Pro Varmint
  7. 15:07Shooting Results: Varget
  8. 17:21Final Analysis and Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the recommended powder charge ranges for reloading .223 Remington with 50gr Hornady Z-Max/V-Max bullets?

For Varget powder, a range of 24.4gr to 25.6gr is suggested, extrapolated from 52gr data. For Alliant Power Pro Varmint, the recommended range is 26.0gr to 27.2gr, based on the video's testing.

What is the optimal Overall Length (OAL) for .223 Remington reloads using 50gr bullets in an AR-15?

The target OAL for these .223 Remington reloads is precisely 2.240 inches. This measurement ensures reliable feeding and magazine compatibility within an AR-15 platform.

Which powder provided better accuracy for 50gr Hornady Z-Max/V-Max bullets in the .223 Remington test?

Both Varget and Power Pro Varmint showed good results. Power Pro Varmint achieved a tighter group of 0.470 inches at max charge, while Varget delivered consistent groups around 0.561 inches, indicating both are viable options with different performance characteristics.

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