223 bullet weight

kimber guy · February 22, 2010, 01:52 PM

I just bought myself a .223 varmit rifle. The barrel has a 1:12 twist. I would like to reload for it but don,t know what weight bullet to use? Can someone help me out? Thanks

Scorch · February 22, 2010, 01:59 PM

My suggestion would be try weights from 45 gr to 55 gr, paying special attention to 53 gr match hollow points (over IMR3031, if you must know). Or, if you just want cheap reloads, 50 or 55 gr bulk bullets from Midway.

88KEYS · February 22, 2010, 02:24 PM

I would agree with the other post light bullets and the Hornady V-Max makes a good light bullet. Also the Rem. 50 grain HP, is on the lower price side and work great.

I like Graf & Sons for bullets and they sell the Privi brand made overseas, however very good bullets. I was shooting @ 600 yards with my M1A and one of the old times asked me what bullets I was using, he tried my rifle and put 2 shots 6” a part. I was using the Privi 168 Match.

wingman · February 22, 2010, 04:20 PM

In that gun the 52 gr match is tough to beat,Berger or Sierra matchking.

**Unclenick** · February 22, 2010, 05:38 PM

Like Scorch, I find the 53 grain hard to beat for up to 200 yards in normal conditions. It's length is a perfect match to the 12" twist. I've had the best groups with IMR 4198 and Reloader 10X with it, but YMMV. Beyond 200-250 yards the boattails start to show some advantage bucking wind, but have been harder for me to make drill cloverleafs at 100.

5R milspec · February 22, 2010, 06:47 PM

even a good old 55gn NBT will come out of it screaming.and they shoot really good in my little remmy with a sporter barrel.and when it hits something it would have wanted you to have been a bad shoot.and I use varget,and its a hot load.

CPTMurdoc30 · February 22, 2010, 07:19 PM

I have shot 50 to 62gr in mine. It likes 50gr V-max bullets the best. The v-max will shoot .4" 5 shot groups the 52gr SMK shoot 3/4" at that distance.

You can shoot most bullets up to 62gr.

get a few different ones and try them out.

mrawesome22 · February 22, 2010, 09:26 PM

Another vote for the 50gr V-Max.

Prof Young · February 22, 2010, 10:22 PM

I loaded some 223 with 68 gr thinking I'd tighter groups. Well, I learned the hard way the 68 gr is too heavy for a 1/12 twist rate. The bullets were tumbling. So I sold that rifle (A rem model seven that tended to jam) and bought a Savage with a 1/9 twist rate. Groups got tighter and no jams.
Live well, be safe
Prof Young

whitedogone · February 22, 2010, 10:54 PM

Just got to try a few. The following work best in my Tikka 1:12 223

Sierra Matchking 52g HPBT
Hornady 55g V-max

**Unclenick** · February 23, 2010, 03:49 PM

Please note a distinction in the above information between the 52 and 53 grain Sierra MatchKings. The former are boattails and the latter are flat base. Up to 200 or 300 yards and sometimes a good bit further (depending on BC's) flat base bullets are generally easier to get maximum accuracy from. Boattails are needed for longer range and wind bucking.

The reason is partly due to easier bore alignment from the longer bearing surfaces of same-weight flat base bullets, but it has more to do with the dwell time of the bullet base in the muzzle blast stream. A boattail takes longer to get past the edge of the crown and clear of the jet, offering more opportunity for every little imperfection in the crown or in the bullet base symmetry to be exaggerated as muzzle blast plays against the diagonal sides of the tail. It is therefore easier for muzzle blast to tip a boattail, and it then takes some distance for it to settle back down off a helical trajectory.

In an extreme example, Walt Berger points out that his 150 grain flat base .308 bullet consistently out-performs the boattail Sierra Palma bullet all the way to about 500 yards. Beyond that, the Sierra wins.

My point is just that because a bullet is called "match" or has a boattail doesn't mean it's the best accuracy bullet for your gun. You have to figure at what range you are going to use it at and know your gun's preferences. Like everything else, the bottom line is always try it and see?

CPTMurdoc30 · February 23, 2010, 04:47 PM

Unclenick is right on with his info.

I like boat tails because they are easier to load. Call me lazy or call me a guy that is tired of pinching his fingers in the press. I got tired of press fingers.

Blue Grass · February 23, 2010, 04:54 PM

The most accurate bullet at 100yds in my Ruger-77V is the hornady 50gr S.P.
At 200yrds and beyond, it is the Sierra 52gr HPBT Match.My favorite .223 powder is AA-2460.

MADISON · February 24, 2010, 10:44 AM

223 Remington / 5.56 NATO rule of thumb.....

1:12 - 55 grain max, best with 50 grain or less

1:10 - 60 grain max, best with 55 grain or less

1:9 - 69/70 grain max, best with 65 grain or less

1:8 - 77 grain max, beat with 69/70 grain or less

1:7 - made pretty much for the 77 - 80 grain VLD bullets

With a fast twist (1:9 or faster) and a light (like 40 grain) bullet pushed to a high velocity (3700 fps+), depending on bullet construction, you can cause the bullet to self-destruct from centrifugal force.

February 22, 2010, 01:52 PM	#1
kimber guy Junior Member Join Date: October 3, 2004 Posts: 8	223 bullet weight I just bought myself a .223 varmit rifle. The barrel has a 1:12 twist. I would like to reload for it but don,t know what weight bullet to use? Can someone help me out? Thanks

February 22, 2010, 01:59 PM	#2
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	My suggestion would be try weights from 45 gr to 55 gr, paying special attention to 53 gr match hollow points (over IMR3031, if you must know). Or, if you just want cheap reloads, 50 or 55 gr bulk bullets from Midway. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

February 22, 2010, 05:38 PM	#5
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	Like Scorch, I find the 53 grain hard to beat for up to 200 yards in normal conditions. It's length is a perfect match to the 12" twist. I've had the best groups with IMR 4198 and Reloader 10X with it, but YMMV. Beyond 200-250 yards the boattails start to show some advantage bucking wind, but have been harder for me to make drill cloverleafs at 100. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

February 22, 2010, 07:19 PM	#7
CPTMurdoc30 Senior Member Join Date: February 27, 2008 Location: Stafford VA Posts: 969	I have shot 50 to 62gr in mine. It likes 50gr V-max bullets the best. The v-max will shoot .4" 5 shot groups the 52gr SMK shoot 3/4" at that distance. You can shoot most bullets up to 62gr. get a few different ones and try them out. __________________ Solving Virginia's Ground Hog problems 50gr at a time.....

February 22, 2010, 10:22 PM	#9
Prof Young Senior Member Join Date: August 21, 2007 Location: Illinois - down state Posts: 2,404	Keyholed I loaded some 223 with 68 gr thinking I'd tighter groups. Well, I learned the hard way the 68 gr is too heavy for a 1/12 twist rate. The bullets were tumbling. So I sold that rifle (A rem model seven that tended to jam) and bought a Savage with a 1/9 twist rate. Groups got tighter and no jams. Live well, be safe Prof Young

February 22, 2010, 02:24 PM	#3
88KEYS Senior Member Join Date: January 21, 2010 Posts: 145	I would agree with the other post light bullets and the Hornady V-Max makes a good light bullet. Also the Rem. 50 grain HP, is on the lower price side and work great. I like Graf & Sons for bullets and they sell the Privi brand made overseas, however very good bullets. I was shooting @ 600 yards with my M1A and one of the old times asked me what bullets I was using, he tried my rifle and put 2 shots 6” a part. I was using the Privi 168 Match.

February 22, 2010, 04:20 PM	#4
wingman Senior Member Join Date: August 20, 2002 Posts: 2,108	In that gun the 52 gr match is tough to beat,Berger or Sierra matchking.

February 22, 2010, 06:47 PM	#6
5R milspec Senior Member Join Date: December 11, 2009 Location: South Carolina Posts: 360	even a good old 55gn NBT will come out of it screaming.and they shoot really good in my little remmy with a sporter barrel.and when it hits something it would have wanted you to have been a bad shoot.and I use varget,and its a hot load.

February 22, 2010, 09:26 PM	#8
mrawesome22 Senior Member Join Date: November 9, 2005 Location: Ohio, Appalachia's foothills. Posts: 3,779	Another vote for the 50gr V-Max.

February 22, 2010, 10:54 PM	#10
whitedogone Senior Member Join Date: January 10, 2010 Posts: 100	Just got to try a few. The following work best in my Tikka 1:12 223 Sierra Matchking 52g HPBT Hornady 55g V-max __________________ http://www.illinoiscarry.com/betteroffdead-ILcc.swf http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nurM0...ayer_embedded#

February 23, 2010, 03:49 PM	#11
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	Please note a distinction in the above information between the 52 and 53 grain Sierra MatchKings. The former are boattails and the latter are flat base. Up to 200 or 300 yards and sometimes a good bit further (depending on BC's) flat base bullets are generally easier to get maximum accuracy from. Boattails are needed for longer range and wind bucking. The reason is partly due to easier bore alignment from the longer bearing surfaces of same-weight flat base bullets, but it has more to do with the dwell time of the bullet base in the muzzle blast stream. A boattail takes longer to get past the edge of the crown and clear of the jet, offering more opportunity for every little imperfection in the crown or in the bullet base symmetry to be exaggerated as muzzle blast plays against the diagonal sides of the tail. It is therefore easier for muzzle blast to tip a boattail, and it then takes some distance for it to settle back down off a helical trajectory. In an extreme example, Walt Berger points out that his 150 grain flat base .308 bullet consistently out-performs the boattail Sierra Palma bullet all the way to about 500 yards. Beyond that, the Sierra wins. My point is just that because a bullet is called "match" or has a boattail doesn't mean it's the best accuracy bullet for your gun. You have to figure at what range you are going to use it at and know your gun's preferences. Like everything else, the bottom line is always try it and see? __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

February 23, 2010, 04:47 PM	#12
CPTMurdoc30 Senior Member Join Date: February 27, 2008 Location: Stafford VA Posts: 969	Unclenick is right on with his info. I like boat tails because they are easier to load. Call me lazy or call me a guy that is tired of pinching his fingers in the press. I got tired of press fingers. __________________ Solving Virginia's Ground Hog problems 50gr at a time.....

February 23, 2010, 04:54 PM	#13
Blue Grass Senior Member Join Date: August 12, 2009 Posts: 398	The most accurate bullet at 100yds in my Ruger-77V is the hornady 50gr S.P. At 200yrds and beyond, it is the Sierra 52gr HPBT Match.My favorite .223 powder is AA-2460.

February 24, 2010, 10:44 AM	#14
MADISON Senior Member Join Date: January 1, 2000 Location: Roanoke, Virginia Posts: 2,678	.223 bullet weight 223 Remington / 5.56 NATO rule of thumb..... 1:12 - 55 grain max, best with 50 grain or less 1:10 - 60 grain max, best with 55 grain or less 1:9 - 69/70 grain max, best with 65 grain or less 1:8 - 77 grain max, beat with 69/70 grain or less 1:7 - made pretty much for the 77 - 80 grain VLD bullets With a fast twist (1:9 or faster) and a light (like 40 grain) bullet pushed to a high velocity (3700 fps+), depending on bullet construction, you can cause the bullet to self-destruct from centrifugal force.