Bullet wt for 1:9 twist 223

[SUPRX22]

Which bullet weight(s) would you recommend for a 1 in 9 twist in a 20" barrel.?Primary use:coyote and groundhog.

 

[someguy2800]

68 gr hornady bthp or 53 gr vmax

 

[dgod]

And if you really want to SMACK them, go with the 68gr bthp

 

[JO JO]

I have had good results with 55gr to 69gr with my 20in 1/9 AR , the 69gr bthp did really well

 

[Klint Beastwood]

some where in that category of what he said ^^. There are copious threads on .223 twist rates per bullet selection. The twist wont really effect who or what you are shooting, just the stability of longer said projectiles, and perhaps ruin the structural integrity of a projectiles in some cases depending how extreme we were to get into the topic.

 

[JO JO]

this is true I have never really experimented with anything heaver than 69gr as the AR magazine only allows you to load to a certain OAL, the heavy stuff may need a longer OAL than the magazine will accept, what are you loading for AR or Bolt action ?

 

[Laphroaig]

For coyotes and ground hogs I'd load something in the 55 to 60 gr. wt. I've found V-maxes to work well.

My 20" 1:9 .223 can shoot 77 SMK's accurately at least out to 500 yds. (as far as I've tried). And they were designed to be loaded at AR15 mag length.

 

[Chuck R.]

In my 20" REM XCR tactical 1-9 I've had good luck with the Nosler 55 and 60 grain Ballistic tips. I've made shots out a little past 300 and they're DRT. Just don't expect zero fur damage.

I have seen a 69 BTHP match bullet shoot a through and through on a yote that had to be tracked for a good couple hundred yards before he bled out. Have yet to see the same with a decent varmint bullet.

Chuck

 

[VoodooMountain]

Just about any weight will work out to 300 with most 1/9

55 is the bread and butter

 

[redbullitt]

69 SMK does remarkably well from my 16 inch bolt action. I think you would be very happy with those.

 

[joed]

For hunting try something about 65 gr. I don't recommend match bullets for hunting.

 

[bangbang01]

Standard 55 grain is all you'll ever need with a 223 for hunting purposes. If you really need to thump something any harder, you should be using a true big game round and not a varmint round IMO.

As another poster pointed out, 55 grain is bread and butter for realistic hunting ranges. Match shooting is a completely different ball game though.

 

[Klint Beastwood]

*shrugs* I've played with the 73gr ELD-m and popped a few yotes. They work fine. similar to an AMAX. The yotes didn't complain.

 

[SUPRX22]

Thanks for the replies.I was thinking somewhere in the 50 -55 grain area.This will be an "in case"rifle for the pickup or tractor.To actively hunt at longer ranges,I have a 243.If going for deer , a30/30,7mm08 or 30/06 would be used.Not to say the 243 isn't enough but I have heavier calibers available.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

You have plenty of good choices for loading the .223 these days, especially with a 1:9 twist barrel.

The 55gr to 65gr Sierra GameKing bullets are plenty of bullet for soft skinned game like coyote and similar game with the .223.

My .223 barrel has a 1:9 twist and I like the 64gr Nosler Bonded Performance bullet for hunting. The 60gr Nosler Partition is even better but it's more expensive and probably a tougher bullet than needed. I would be fine with any of those bullets even though the Nosler bullets are probably more bullet than needed.

 

[Charlie98]

If it's just a 'for instance' rifle... I'd load that 1:9 with 55grn FMJ and call it a day.

 

[hdwhit]

With a 1:9 twist, it's pretty much take your pick below about 70 grains.

If you're going after varmints, you may want a lighter bullet. The caution there is that 223/5.56 is capable of being loaded to velocities where the bullets will come apart on their way to the target, so if you're going north of about 3400 fps, test your loads before you take them hunting.

After all, it would be terribly embarrassing to have the groundhogs start laughing at you for shooting what they perceive to be blanks.

 

[Walkalong]

Which bullet weight(s) would you recommend for a 1 in 9 twist in a 20" barrel.?Primary use:coyote and groundhog.

40 to 60 Gr will work, 62/64 will usually work, often times the 68/69 Gr stuff will work, but the 75/77 Gr stuff is going to be too long/heavy for 1 in 9.

 

[Blue68f100]

I use the Sierra 65gr Game Kings for varmint control.

 

[Axis II]

50-55gr Hornady v max. I use them in two 1-9 twist 223rem bolt guns and get amazing accuracy. I hit a woodchuck prone at 287yards last summer with the 55gr v max under 24gr of benchmark. Adjusted my turrets for 2'' drop and he hit the dirt where he stood.

 

[joed]

I was going to suggest the 65 gr Sierra GK and I believe Nosler and Hornady have a 60 gr offering.

I tried 55 gr bullets in a 1:9 twist Savage 10fp and just wasn't satisfied with the accuracy. Others have told me they have no problems shooting this weight but I got groups of 1" where the 69 gr bullets would leave a ragged hole.

 

[ess45]

I have used 75gr Hornady in 1:9 Remington 700 5R. Accurate and stable (no keyholing) at 100 yards, I don't know how it will behave past 100 yards.

 

[ilmonster]

Another Rem 700 user (SPS Tac). My 1:9 twist 20" barrel shoots Hornady 68 and 75 gr. BTHP's very well. Can get 1" or less groups at 200 yds. all day if I do my part. The one time I've shot at 300 yds. I did produce a 3 shot 7/8" group, with most others (3 and 5 shot groups) around 1 3\4" with the Hornady 75 gr. BTHP's. YMMV

I tried the new factory loaded Hornady 73gr. ELD rounds and my rifle didn't like those at all. Groups really opened up. Most folks who I read are shooting those well are using faster twist barrels.

 

[entropy]

55 gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip Varmint, or 55 gr. Hornady V-max.

 

[Hondo 60]

Ive used 50-63gr in my 20" 1in9 ar. Good results, 1/2 the spread of factory ammo.