.223 dilemma...which bullet?

[Sniper66]

I know there are dozens of threads on this issue, but here is mine anyway. I'll appreciate your input. I have a Remington 700 VSF with 26" fluted barrel 1:12 twist. I replaced the factory trigger with a Shilen and it breaks cleanly at 2 lbs. It is a reliable prairie dog rifle. I went to the range yesterday with a collection of my reloads. 1. Nosler 40gr ballistic tip with Benchmark powder, 2. Sierra 50gr BKs with Benchmark, and 3. Sierra 55 gr BKs with Varget. They generally group as follows at 100 yds.

1. 1.5"
2. 1.0"
3. <1.0"

According to what I read, that is a bit backward. The articles say that the smaller bullet should do better than the other two with that twist rate. My buddy who accompanied me at the range suggested trying a heavier bullet and I'm looking at a Sierra 63gr Varminter. What do you guys think? I have other powder I can use along with plenty of Benchmark and Varget. I've killed lots of prairie dogs with these rounds, probably most of them with the 50 gr...good reliable round, but just not quite as accurate as my Kimber .204. I'll appreciate your thoughts.

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

I could "loan" ya some 63 grain bullets to try out if you like.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

According to what I read, that is a bit backward.

You didn't use the same powder with every bullet so it's hard to make any conclusions there. Varget for me has been very accurate in a .223 bolt action rifle.

I own a Howa 1500 in .223 with a 1:12 twist and I did a lot of testing a few years ago. What I found was an extremely accurate sub 1/2 MOA load.

I'm using a Sierra 55gr HPBT GameKing bullet #1390
CCI400 SR primer
Various brands of brass, test was with PMC commercial brass
With the longer barrel I charge 26.0gr Varget, with a shorter barrel 25.0gr Varget is just as accurate. (use 26.0gr in your rifle)

Of course every rifle is different but this load is accurate in 2x different bolt rifles. Your gun might like it too.

 

[NoName47]

63gr might not get enough spin in a 1-12 for longer shots. Bullets weights for your twist rate are not set in stone. I built a 24 ar upper with 1-8 twist and it loves 40gr vmaxs but according to twist rate charts, thats too light of a bullet for my twist. You might just need to try a bunch of powders

 

[TheDomFather]

I know there are dozens of threads on this issue, but here is mine anyway. I'll appreciate your input. I have a Remington 700 VSF with 26" fluted barrel 1:12 twist. I replaced the factory trigger with a Shilen and it breaks cleanly at 2 lbs. It is a reliable prairie dog rifle. I went to the range yesterday with a collection of my reloads. 1. Nosler 40gr ballistic tip with Benchmark powder, 2. Sierra 50gr BKs with Benchmark, and 3. Sierra 55 gr BKs with Varget. They generally group as follows at 100 yds.

1. 1.5"
2. 1.0"
3. <1.0"

According to what I read, that is a bit backward. The articles say that the smaller bullet should do better than the other two with that twist rate. My buddy who accompanied me at the range suggested trying a heavier bullet and I'm looking at a Sierra 63gr Varminter. What do you guys think? I have other powder I can use along with plenty of Benchmark and Varget. I've killed lots of prairie dogs with these rounds, probably most of them with the 50 gr...good reliable round, but just not quite as accurate as my Kimber .204. I'll appreciate your thoughts.

I would shoot what is most accurate. 55gr should be fine in a 1:12 twist. you should even be good at 62gr.

 

[Bfh_auto]

I would try different powder. My 223s are more powder picky than anything else that I reload for.

 

[Blue68f100]

You did not say that you worked up the load for each powder/bullet combo. So without that it's a hard call.

With the 1:12 twist rate the 55gr are pretty much ideal, near recommended max for the twist. I use Varget for my high accurate heavier pills but have had good luck with the light one too. I use TAC for my lighter loads and get excellent accuracy.

 

[Rule3]

Per this chart. A max bullet of 65 gr for 1:12 Twist.

As mentioned all rifle and bullet/powder combos will vary.

http://www.6mmbr.com/223Rem.html

 

[RodII]

If you want accuracy, I prefer the Hornady 53 gr. Match bullet. I am old school as my favorite powder for 223 and 222 is BLC-2.

 

[Sniper66]

Per this chart. A max bullet of 65 gr for 1:12 Twist.

As mentioned all rifle and bullet/powder combos will vary.

http://www.6mmbr.com/223Rem.html

Very helpful chart.. All the suggestions are appreciated and my project will b well underway soon. Thanks to all.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

While many reloaders use bullet weight to set limits on which bullet to use with a certain twist rate the bullet weight alone does not tell the entire story. Bullet length will have a profound effect on stability. In the .223 with a 1:12 twist it's possible a longer 63gr bullet will not stabilize while a shorter 68gr bullet might. (number just for example) You can't always know until you get them when up near the limit.

I use mostly 55gr bullets in my 1:12 twist barrel because they are accurate but the 60gr Nosler Partition shoot a very well as does the the 63gr Sierra Varminter bullet. I can't remember the brand right now but there was a 62gr bullet that would not stabilize, I'm sure it was the length of the bullet since the 63gr Sierra bullet stabilized just fine.

 

[Axis II]

I have really good luck with 50-55gr V max and Benchmark.

 

[Nature Boy]

Have you done a full load development with any of the 3 bullets you’ve listed?

 

[horsey300]

I'd worry less about weight and more about length, as was previously mentioned, my 20" 1:12 would shock quite a few with the lack of holes around the bullseye (multiple oneholer) running just the measly h322 and 50 gr spsx. But I wanted more wind buckability for western Nebraska and WY, she didn't like the 53 vmax, but either 40 gr btips or 50 gr Speers have helped, run the stability calculator with realistic conditions in mind, I wanted winter yote loads, so of course gave up some of the more marginal options that i could probably utilize on summer pdogs.

 

[stillquietvoice]

If you want accuracy, I prefer the Hornady 53 gr. Match bullet. I am old school as my favorite powder for 223 and 222 is BLC-2.

You don't have to be old school to use blc2. I've used it in several weights it works well.
I've also used imr and h 4895 with same bullet weights with great results many one hole groups. Weights between 50 and 68 grain bullets. Hornandy 50 and 55 vmax and nosler btips are consistently accurate for me.
I've even shot 50 gr vmax out to 550 yds.

 

[Varminterror]

Have you done a full load development with any of the 3 bullets you’ve listed?

This.

The comparison in the original is little more than throwing spaghetti at the wall and trying to tell the future. Certainly not enough information nor a proper analytical method to develop any valid observations of performance beyond those specific loads. You’re varying far more than bullet weight in this “test” and have no idea how close or far from optimized each respective load might be. Certainly can’t observe any trend, even directionally, to say your twist vs. bullet weight relationship is backwards.

Barrel twist and stability are also not a linear relationship. Unstable is unstable, stable is stable, and the band of “marginally stable” between them is pretty narrow. A 1:12” 26” should (and does) stabilize any of those bullet weights at 223rem with aplomb.

 

[Sniper66]

Have you done a full load development with any of the 3 bullets you’ve listed?

Yes, I worked up loads with each of these bullets and some experimenting with other powder too, like H4198. The groups I listed were the average for each bullet ( on any given day results vary) so I gave an honest measured average. I didn't include the number of each I shot. While such groups would be acceptable for some shooters, I would like to do a bit better if I can; you know how reloaders are. A friend suggested trying heavier bullet. Of course the prairie dogs don't know the difference, but I do. As you know, confidence in your loads makes for better shooting. Helpful suggestions are welcome.

 

[stillquietvoice]

What coal are you using. You might try and longer oal. I seat my bullets at 2.230 to 2.255 depending on the bullet I'm loading at the time. I find that I get better accuracy that way. How long is your rifles throat. You might be able to set pal to just under mag length.

Some bullets like a long jump to the lands some don't .

 

[GooseGestapo]

I’m guessing it’s either the throat on the Remington barrel, or you’ve got run-out issues with your sizing and bullet seating.
The 55gr bullet has a longer bearing surface due to greater length. This is forcing the bullet to better align with the bore.

I’ve got a Remington M700 in .22-250 that wants bullets seated 2.350” with an appreciable jump to the lands. It happens to be the seating depth of most factory amm. Seat the bullet further out and accuracy degrades.
BTW, it shoots .3’s with Sierra or Nosler 50’s or 55’s. H380, RL15, IMR4064, IMR4320. Powders don’t seem to much matter.