.223 bullet choice 1 1n 12 twist?

[fariagaurd]

I purchased a Ruger M77 MKII in .223 with a 1 in 12 twist in 2004 and have put around 200 rounds through it (55 FMJ).

I put NECG peep sight on it and is has been "soda can MOA" at 100 yards but now I want to mount an optic and wring out it's accuracy potential. Back in the day I was ignorant of twist rate vs. bullet length or I would have purchased something else with a faster twist.

What factory ammo -bullet weight - length would you suggest for accuracy? The heaviest (heavier is usually longer) would you recommend?

Are 60 - 62 - 65grs out of the question? I need advice before spending money on ammo that others would not recommend. I will be reloading my own soon.
Thanks!

 

[GooseGestapo]

My 1/12" twist Remington Mod-7 shoots up to the 65gr Sierra GameKing accurately. An exception is the Hornady 60gr V-max. It won't stay on a 24"-24" target at 100yds. 60gr Hornady PtSpt shoot quite well.
All 55gr bullets have shot well. The 63 grn Sierra SemiPointed soft point is my favorite "Deer" bullet. I've never recovered a bullet, never shot a deer more than once, nor lost a deer shot with one. It just works!

IMO, the 1/12" twist is adequate. Only if you're trying to shoot heavy VLD's in matches at longer than 400yds will you want a 1/8" bbl.
My Mod7 wears a Bushnell 4-12x AO scope. It's not a large scope and just "fits" the rifle. Never want/need more or less. I guess that makes it "just right". It's mounted on Weaver bases in low rings. Iron sights are removed. Nice little "package".

Added: My accuracy load for the .223 is a Sierra or Nosler 55 gr bullet over 27.0gr of BLC2 and Federal 205 primers. Seat to 2.26"oal. My Remington shoots about 1moa with this. My RRA match AR shoots a ragged "bug hole" with them.
Other powders work, but I just prefer BLC2. Notables are RL15, H335, RL10, TAC and H322.

 

[Ifishsum]

Hard to say for sure, as sometimes loads that by the numbers should not do well but they shoot anyway - but from my experience you'll get the best accuracy with lighter 55gr and under bullets. We tested a friend's Ruger M77 Varmint stainless with 55gr Vmax (Black Hills), 69gr HP (also BH IIRC), 55gr FMJ (Federal M193) and Winchester white box 45gr HP. The 55 Vmax did okay, not as good as I expected but decent - and the 69gr HP load did not group at all but the WWB 45gr HP was quite clearly the most accurate. I wouldn't rule out other loads until you try them but don't buy more than a box until you have tried them in your rifle, like I said sometimes you can be surprised.

 

[rcmodel]

1/12 Colt SP-1 AR Carbine.

EOtech red-dot.

55 grain Nosler Ballistic tip vs 55 grain Winchester FMJ-BT.

My old Ruger Mini-14 loves then too!!

rc

 

[Wildfire]

My Rem 700s are 1/14" they toss 55s very tight. If it is just paper punching mine toss the 40 grain Noslers in one hole at 100 yards.
But, these are heavy rifles. 700 PSS .223 and 700 VS. Big scopes and tiny dots. But, then I have never fired factory ammo so I do not know what would work. If you intend to load for it try the 40s and I think they will amaze you.

 

[Driftertank]

Remember, it's bullet length, not weight that limits your barrel's ability to stabilize projectiles. As a general rule, hollow points and boat tails take a bit more spin to stabilize than flat based and solid bullets. You may find that a flat based soft point 60gr+ round stabilizes okay from a 12" twist, while BTHPs or polymer tips above 52-55gr dont.

Also, all barrels are a little different. Somebody's 12"-twist may throw tiny groups with a round that yours makes into a pattern rather than a group.

As a starting point though, I'd say boattails under 55 and flats under 65 are good loads to investigate.

 

[ifit]

Shot this 10 shot group at 50y using hornady 40gr VMax
shot outa my retro build, an old original AR/M16 1:12 twist barrel using irons

 

[cpt-t]

fariagaurd: My secret load for a 223, so don`t tell any body. 21grs of IMR4198 powder , and a Speer 52gr BTHP Match Bullet close to 3100 FPS. Every 223 My Son and I have shoots this load extremely well, like under an inch and some under a 1/2 inch at a 100yds. Hornady 50 gr V-Max`s and 21grs of IMR4198 shoot under an inch also. If You can`t find 52gr Speer bullets. Hornady and Sierra both make a 52gr BTHP Match bullets and with the same powder and charge that work very well also. But Speers 52gr BTHP`s work the best for me. Been shooting this load for over 35 years and it is the best Varmint Load for me I have found.
ken

 

[greyling22]

My mini mauser in 1:12 prints 55grns in about a 2.5-3" groups. Puts 50grn bullets under 1"

 

[1911 guy]

I had a Remington .223 with a 1:12 twist. It positively LOVED 45 grain varmint bullets. Tiny little bug-hole groups. Shot 55 grain OK, but anything more than that got pretty lousy.

 

[jdduffy]

my 700 varmint gun shoots 40-52 grain bullets into one ragged hole at 100 yards,really opens up with 55's.this with imr 4198.

 

[RainDodger]

Personally, I'd start looking for accuracy with the lighter 52-53 grain bullets and maybe even try some of the much lighter stuff like the little 40 grain guys. I think you're lucky to get good accuracy above the 55 grain bullets out of a 1:12 twist ratio.

 

[Geno]

In mine, I used 45 grain to 55 grain. Since you mention reloading, consider Varget as a quality powder. Good luck and let us know how the loads develop.

Geno

 

[Reloadron]

Best groups Remington 1:12 VSSF barrel on a custom built rifle:
Hornady #2249 52 GR. BTHP Match
Nosler #39526 55 GR. Ballistic Tip
Sierra #1400 53 GR. HP Match
Sierra #1355 55 GR FMJ BT
Never had much luck with bullets over 55 GR. Then too never really pursued the heavier bullets to any extent in this rifle.

Ron

 

[W.E.G.]

Better bullets shoot better groups.

55 FMJ's are notorious for irregular bullet-bases. There goes your accuracy.

Your bolt gun will like the 52-grain and 53-grain Sierra Match King bullets.

 

[epwrangler]

Start shooting and learn it as your friend.

 

[silicosys4]

Remember, it's bullet length, not weight that limits your barrel's ability to stabilize projectiles.

I've found this to be true.
I have a 1:12 .223 M70 Featherweight,
Shoots 55 grains just fine,
M855 keyholes badly though. Hits the paper sideways at 50 yards in most cases. M855 is longer than a standard lead/copper 62gr. .223 bullet because of the steel penetrator.
Best accuracy was with 45-55 grain bullets, as others have stated.

 

[redneck2]

I think you guys missed this...

What FACTORY ammo -bullet weight - length would you suggest for accuracy? The heaviest (heavier is usually longer) would you recommend?

That said, if you want accuracy, learn to handload. Not nearly as difficult as it is made out to be.

If that's not an option, I'd try Black Hills. 50 or 55 grain ballistic tips would be my first choice.

 

[2ndtimer]

For factory ammo I have found Federal American Eagle tipped varmint to be excellent in both 1 in 12 inch twist + 1 + 8 inch twist. It is a 50 gr bullet with a plastic tip and can frequently be found on sale for less than $10 per box of 20. Decent reloadable brass, too. Also have had excellent results with Fiocchi Extrema ammo loaded with Hornady V-Max bullets in 40 and 50 gr weight. Can be found for less than $20 for a box of 50 if you shop around. FWIW, both my 1 in 12" .223 barrels shot fine with 55 gr bullets, although they did do better with the shorter Hornady 55 gr SP flat base bullet than the longer plastic tipped boat tail bullets.