223 target loads

[nyresq]

I just picked up a new 223 heavy barrel bolt action for target shooting, and just general plinking. The barrel has a 1/12" twist, 26" long. I know I'm limited to loads lighter then 60grs cause of the slow twist, but was wondering if anyone could recomend a good target load thats accurate out to 200yrds or so.
Does federal make a gold medal load with 55gr bullets?

I don't handload so factory ammo only.

any help is appreciated, thanks

 

[nipprdog]

try the winchester 45gr varmint. $13 for a box of 40. very accurate for the price. its the most popular factory load for NEF Handi rifle owners, whose rifles are also 1/12.

also, the Black hills match 52gr hp in the blue box(remanufactured) is also very accurate for the price. $18 for a box of 50.

 

[dakotasin]

the best target loads i have found factory loaded are black hills ammo. if your gun will handle 60 grain bullets, pick up the 60 grain v-max load. if not, the 52 grain match load is excellent.

 

[TC66]

Winchester 45 Grn HP 3600 FPS in 40 round box at Walmart. Also Check out Ammunitionstore.com . They have some good prices.

 

[texagun]

"Winchester 45 Grn HP 3600 FPS in 40 round box at Walmart."


Just curious....will this load shorten barrel life appreciably??

 

[TC66]

It May. The hotter the load the faster the barrel will ware down. Now that load is not as bad as a heavier bullet though.

 

[dakotasin]

those loads are not truly 3600. i have chronied them and they are quite a bit short of that thru 22" barrels.

and yes, hot loads do wear a barrel faster, but in a light cartridge like the 243, it will take several years of frequent shooting to do it.

 

[nbkky71]

Nope. Federal does not make Gold Medal Match with a 55gr bullet: only 69gr and 77gr

 

[nyresq]

Thanks for all the tips boys and girls, I was looking at the black hills ammo for target shooting. if its anything like their 308 loads, I'm sure it will be a tack driving round.

 

[nipprdog]

those loads are not truly 3600

in their catalog, they said the 3600 fps was from a 26" barrel.

 

[Tacoma]

if you want to get the most from it, start handloading your own.

 

[dakotasin]

don't have my notes handy, but iirc, they were running in the 3100-3200 f/s range. no matter how optimistic you are (and i am not very re:223), even a 26" won't pick up that much.

of all the loads i've chronied, the only ones that manage to be consistently close to their advertised claim is hornady.

however, that is not to say they are inaccurate - because they are fairly accurate, just that velocity claims can be a little exaggerated from time to time.