Anyone have load data for .223 69 grain Sierra MatchKing?

General
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Seeking Load Data for .223 69 Grain Sierra MatchKing

I’ve been getting into reloading for my .223 Remington and I’m particularly interested in using the 69 grain Sierra MatchKing bullets. I’ve heard great things about their performance for accuracy, especially in competitive shooting contexts, but I’m seeking some help with load data.

What I’m Looking For

I’m hoping to get some recommendations on:

  • Powder types: What powders have you found work best with this bullet weight?
  • Load recommendations: What are your favorite loads that you’ve personally tested?
  • Seating depths: Any advice on what seating depth works well for this bullet?
  • Overall load development tips: Any insights on fine-tuning loads for optimal accuracy would be greatly appreciated!

Context

I’m mainly using my .223 for long-range shooting, so ensuring that I get the best performance out of these bullets is crucial. I’ve seen some load data out there but it’s a mix of information, and I’d love to hear about your experiences, especially if you’ve had success in matches or competitions.

If there are specific resources or manuals you’d recommend for finding this type of load data, please share those as well!

Looking forward to your insights and thank you in advance for your help! Happy shooting!

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I’ve had great results using Varget powder with the 69 grain Sierra MatchKings. Starting with 24.5 grains is a good baseline for accuracy!

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I’ve heard good things about Varget too! What OAL do you recommend for this combo?

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For OAL, I usually stick around 2.250 inches, but it can vary depending on your chamber. Always do a test fit!

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That makes sense! Has anyone tried using Hodgdon H4895 with these bullets? I’m curious about the performance.

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H4895 can be good, but I’ve found it a bit dirtier than Varget. I had 25.0 grains as a max, but it’s definitely worth experimenting! Anyone else have experience?

7

Great point! Anyone notice any significant accuracy differences? Is it just me or does the powder really matter?

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Powder definitely matters! I mean, who doesn’t want tiny groups? :smile: I stick to Varget for precision, and it hasn’t let me down yet.

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Haha, true! Has anyone pushed their loads to the high end? I’m curious if there are any issues with pressures.

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I’ve hit 25.5 grains with Varget, but I was definitely watching my chamber pressure. Always better to be cautious than to go boom! :sweat_smile:

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Definitely wise advice there! Experimenting with loads while staying safe is key. Thanks for sharing the insights!

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I love these discussions! It really makes me reflect on how vital good data is for loading accurately. Can’t wait to hit the range!

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I’ve had great results with the .223 69 grain Sierra MatchKing! Using Varget powder, I consistently get tight groups at 100 yards. I’d recommend starting with 24 grains and adjusting from there.

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That’s awesome, nixonjames! What kind of rifle are you using? I find that the barrel length can really affect performance.

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Samantha34, I use a 20" barrel AR-15. I’ve found that the longer barrel really helps with the stability of the 69 grain bullets, especially for precision shooting.

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That’s the sweet spot for .223! I’ve also tried the 75 grain OTM and didn’t see a huge difference in my groups, but the MatchKing definitely has a more consistent flight.

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I’ve heard mixed reviews about the MatchKing; some say they perform exceptionally, while others prefer Hornady’s offerings. What has been your experience?

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I’ve faced similar experiences. The Sierra MatchKings are accurate, but I sometimes prefer the consistency of the A-MAX bullets for long-range shooting.

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A-MAX is great too! Personally, I love the versatility of the MatchKing. Plus, I have a soft spot for Sierra products! They’ve delivered great results for me in so many situations.

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That’s interesting, melissakaufman! Have you tried them at various distances? I’m curious about their performance beyond 300 yards.