40 gr bullets in 223 Rem with 1:9 twist? yes or no

[Rule3]

I have some 40 gr Sierra HP bullets I bought for my 223 with a 1-12 or 1-14 twist. I am going to sell the rifle.

Can I use these light bullets in my other 1-9 and 1-8 twist rifles??

What will happen to these little things?

Thanks

 

[Grassman]

I highly doubt it. Maybe nothing below 50 or 55.

 

[plmitch]

Try it but i don't think you'll have much luck with them.

 

[Rule3]

Will the fall apart spinning too fast?

 

[Mike1234567]

Assuming the jacket stays intact, why would 40gr bullets fail to perform in 1:9 twist rifles?

 

[kerreckt]

I don't think your results will be that bad but not that good either. I have shot 40gr loads from an AR with 1/9 barrel and my results were marginal. About 2"-3" at 100yds. These loads were extremely accurate with my 1/12 bolt rifle. Dime size 5 round groups. YMMV. Best wishes

 

[Offfhand]

The quality of the barrel, not the rate of twist, will be the deciding factor of how well the rifle will shoot with the 40s. Many AR type rifle have truly miserable barrels which is why we see such a wide range of accuracy with otherwise good ammo, and an equally wide range of opinions. I've seen pretty good accuracy from Winchester's 40 grain loads in a rifle good quality 1/7.5 twist barrel and bum accuracy from a 1/9 with same ammo. Which, again, goes to prove that it's not wise to base opinions on isolated observations. Especially concerning rifles and ammo, and ARs in particular. Bottom line: try it and see for yourself.

 

[NCsmitty]

The 40 gr Sierra HP bullet can handle higher velocities than the Blitz versions, and should shoot decently with a good load out of a faster twist 223. I have used them in the 22-250 with no issues. It seems you can not over stabilize the lighter bullets in a fast twist, but you can certainly under stabilize the heavier bullets in a slower twist.

Try them and make your own conclusion.


NCsmitty

 

[flashhole]

My Kimber Longmaster Classic 223 bolt gun with a 1:9 twist 24" barrel loves them. It's a one-holer with both Sierra and Nosler 40 grain plastic tip bullets. Same gun won't shoot mid weight bullets from 50-62 grains worth a hoot. 63 grains and up, another one-holer.

Try them. Did you mention the specific gun you are shooting?

No problem with them coming apart and they turn rodents into red mist.

 

[Rule3]

Assuming the jacket stays intact, why would 40gr bullets fail to perform in 1:9 twist rifles?

I do not know, that is what I am asking.?? Perhaps I read somewhere that spinning to fast would rip the jackets off.

Slower twists generally use heavier bullets so I was thinking the reverse. I do not know?

If I shoot these it will be from a Savage Bull barrel varmint bolt rifle.

Never have used anything less than 55 grains bullets.

 

[BHarada]

I've shot Sierra 40gr Varminter HPs in my Mossberg MVP Varmint with a 24" 1:9 barrel loaded out to 3700+ FPS with no issues.

I was worried that I'd wasted money on bullets that would vaporize upon leaving the muzzle, but they've proven to be very accurate at the 100 yard range I shoot at. I did call Sierra to ask if there were any velocity restriction on them and was told not to worry about it.

 

[Reloadron]

I would say load a few and give it a try. I wouldn't be too optimistic but you really haven't got much to lose. I am not real optimistic as to the 1:8 twist but you won't know till you try.

As to:

It seems you can not over stabilize the lighter bullets in a fast twist, but you can certainly under stabilize the heavier bullets in a slower twist.

That doesn't always seem to hold true as to one experience I had. I loaded some Nosler 55 grain ballistic tip boat tails over 25.2 grains of VihtaVuori N135 using BR4 primers. Winchester new brass trimmed to 1.750" and an OAL of 2.260. Fired from my Remington 700 BDL custom with a 26" barrel 1:12 twist over the chronograph I got an average of 3180 FPS. They shot excellent and consistent.

That same loading in my Colt Target Sporter with a 1:7 twist gave me consistent 6" groups at 50 yards with maybe 7 of 10 going through my target sideways. Maybe it was just that particular bullet as I have yet to try any other 55 grain loads in that rifle but is was a great recipe for accuracy disaster in that rifle.

Granted the bolt gun is scoped but I never knew a scope that would prevent key holes in targets.

Anyway, I would just give it a try and see what results you get.

Ron

 

[Rule3]

I've shot Sierra 40gr Varminter HPs in my Mossberg MVP Varmint with a 24" 1:9 barrel loaded out to 3700+ FPS with no issues.

I was worried that I'd wasted money on bullets that would vaporize upon leaving the muzzle, but they've proven to be very accurate at the 100 yard range I shoot at. I did call Sierra to ask if there were any velocity restriction on them and was told not to worry about it.

This sounds promising, Thanks

 

[BHarada]

I've also had similar success with Nosler 40gr Ballistic Tip Spitzers.

 

[mnhntr]

I had great success in my Bushmaster 1-9 twist using 40gr Vmax

 

[Rule3]

I guess i should have included the bullet info, It is this bullet.

https://www.sierrabullets.com/store/product.cfm/sn/1385/224-dia-40-gr-HP

 

[ole farmerbuck]

All I use in my Savage bolts 1-9 is 40g v-max. Excellent groups. I have 2 Bushmasters with 1-9 and they both shoot 40's great.