Question about 223 Bullet Weights

[saddlerocker]

Why is it that all the "match" ammo is 62gr or higher, and the majority lower than 50gr is Varmint tip or soft point?

My rifle has 1-12" twist so 62gr would be the max and probably not as accurate.

Im just wondering why there isnt 40-52gr match or even FMJ ammo readily available.
I have heard that the V-Max is accurate, but I assume not as good as match bullets.

 

[MtnCreek]

52gr match is available. Many people prefer heavier (longer) projectiles for longer range shooting.

 

[Frogomatik]

generally speaking (though this isn't always the rule) "match" ammo will be in heavier weights as a heavier bullet will resist wind forces more than lighter bullets.

 

[rcmodel]

The 50-55 grain V-Max or Nosler Ballistic-Tip is about as accurate as it gets in a 1/12 rifle.

You might maby find some rifles that would shoot dedicated 52 grain HP match bullets better, but not many.

No FMJ with the jacket opening in the base is even close to as accurate as about any bullet made with the jacket opening in the nose.

Here is the differance between 55 FMJ & 55 Nosler BT out of a 1/12 Colt AR carbine.


rc

 

[saddlerocker]

I knew FMJ was open at the base, but didnt think about that for other rounds.

Are all Boat Tails open at the tip?

What else is open at the tip? SP? HP?

 

[LoonWulf]

As far as i know only fmjs are open base. Everything else has the lead stuffed in from the front

 

[helotaxi]

While a FMJ won't be as accurate as a match bullet, ever, there are different levels of FMJ bullets. The Hornady 55gn is pretty much as good as it gets for FMJs.

Hornady, Sierra and Nosler make HP match bullets in the 52-53gn range. The 52gn have a boat tail and the 53gn are flat-based. Hornady also makes a 52gn A-Max. The reason that most of the "match" bullets are heavier is that the lighter bullets are terrible at long range thanks to a low BC. Wind drift gets excessive quickly. Most match shooters that use a .224 cal. round shoot either benchrest, where slow twist barrels are the norm and the 53gn bullet is pretty much the heaviest bullet that will stabilize in a 1:14 barrel, or service rifle where the longer range calls for a higher BC to minimize wind drift.