Up or Down 77 grain or 52 grain .223 Remington

[horsemen61]

Hello all


Since I can’t sleep I ponder this question I have a savage model 12 VLP 1-7 twist 26 inch barreled.223 it shoots 69 grain SMK really well but the hand loader in me wants to try something new so if you were me and had to chose between 52 Hpbts or 77 grain Hpbts what would you chose and why?

 

[Dale Alan]

77s , based on twist alone . I am sure you can find a good load with the 52s also but the 1/7 will really shine with the heavier bullets .

 

[horsemen61]

77s , based on twist alone . I am sure you can find a good load with the 52s also but the 1/7 will really shine with the heavier bullets .

Thank you kind sir for your thoughts

 

[call1911]

You might find that your barrel likes all Sierra MKs (like mine).
So you could make your choice depending on the distance you want to go.
100-300m 52gn will be fine.
Up to 500m the heavy bullets.
On a perfect day with no wind mine even likes 40gn bullets for 100m.

 

[CMB]

You might find that your barrel likes all Sierra MKs (like mine).
So you could make your choice depending on the distance you want to go.
100-300m 52gn will be fine.
Up to 500m the heavy bullets.
On a perfect day with no wind mine even likes 40gn bullets for 100m.

40gn in a 1:7 barrel? Really? Have you tried this?

 

[Dale Alan]

Thank you kind sir for your thoughts

No problem . I will also add ,I have a Tikka 1/8 twist that shoots 52 grain Bergers very well . I use very mild loads . You may find in your 1/7 a 52 behind a mellow charge may shoot good for you ,or even a jazzed up load . I just drop the FPS down so the RPMs are not crazy .

 

[Walkalong]

Since it shoots the 69s so well, try the 75s, it might impact closer to the 69s than a 52 would, even though it should shoot the 52 well.

40 Gr? It may very well shoot some of them well, but it also might deconstruct some of the varmint style lightweights.

 

[call1911]

40gn in a 1:7 barrel? Really? Have you tried this?

I wouldn't have thought it myself.
Expected to shred the bullets to fragments but it works like a charm.
It is a 24" bull barrel.
But I was wrong about the bullet.
It was with Sierra #1385 hollow points:
OAL 2,25", VV N130 23,7gn, S&B SRP, S&B Brass 95gn

and Nosler Varmint Spitzer Ballistic Tip
OAL 2,175", VV N130 24gn, S&B SRP, IMI Brass 92gn


With NO wind this gives 1/2 MOA