What bullet for 1:8 twist AR?

[Grassman]

I am gonna start reloading .223 soon for my AR which has a 1:8 twist. What would be the lightest bullet that would work here? I think I will mostly be shooting 55 to 60 grain bullets, but understand that I might be able to go as high as 85 grains? Set me straight. I'll be loading for a Bushmaster predator, 20" 1:8 twist barrel.

 

[Ridgerunner665]

I would stick 50 grains and up...and about 80 grains should max out the spin/velocity potential of the 20" barrel.

 

[Grassman]

Would Varget be a good choice?

 

[45ACPUSER]

Varget works great, but availability could be a problem. Nor, is it really PM friendly for progressive reloading presses.

Personally for mid wt bullets to heavy wt bullets I would suggest TAC for progressive use. N133 with light bullets, but price and availability are problem.

 

[Grassman]

I Varget in short supply?

 

[Ridgerunner665]

I like Reloder 15 for heavy bullets in 223...but I load on a single stage press.

 

[45ACPUSER]

Varget is very hit and miss for availability. Has been for over a year. TAC and RL 15 have never been a problem!

 

[243winxb]

Match the length of the bullet to the twist. http://www.6mmbr.com/223Rem.html

 

[PALMERJ]

H335 will work along with Varget or W748. 748 and H335 have been better for .223 loads then Varget for me.

 

[Grassman]

Thanks Gents! I appreciate it....

 

[Big44mag]

The best luck I've had with homeloads is using 22gr of RL15, 77gr Sierra MK slugs loaded to mag length 2.26" and Fed Match primers in my 1 in 8". I didn't try any 80gr MK slugs because I wanted to still use my mag, and factory loads 69gr and below were very disappointing through that upper so I didn't bother to try those weights.

Store bought Fed 77gr match and Fiocchi 77gr match were the most accurate and Hornady 75gr TAP would probably be next in line.

Hope this helps.

 

[redneckdan]

My go to load for testing a new rifle is a sierra 69gr SMK over 25.0 gr of WIN 748 with prepped brass and standard rifle primers. I've never had a rifle that wouldn't shoot decently with this load.

 

[tommyintx]

my ar15 loves 2230 with 55 ballistic tips.. in 1:9. my girlfriends 223 bolt loves 40 moly coat vmax's behind benchmark. the 2230/55 used old whitebox WSR primers.. substituted now with rem 7 1/2's. the 40moly/benchmark likes rem 7 1/2's. for a 1:8 i'd probably start with 62 grain, and maybe 77 grain bullets.. and probably try BL-C(2) with cci #41.. to start. work from there.