Mini Target .223 w/70 gr Barnes XXX

two 70 · November 29, 2008, 01:30 PM

New reloading setup complete and now in the process of developing loads for my target mini. Am getting excellent results with 60 gr VMax over 26 gr Varget w/ CCI400's but would like to experiment with some heavier loads. Barrel is 1:9. Anyone tried the Barnes XXX 70gr in .223? Was concerned about bullet length and powder capacity with these long copper slugs. They would have to be seated quite deep to accomodate magazine feeding I would presume.

rn22723 · November 29, 2008, 06:35 PM

You may well not have a fast enough twist to handle the bullet, due to the length. I would suggest that you look at some of the lighter wt bullets? Barnes are awful expensive to be messing around with. The Sierra 65grSBT might be a good cheaper choice that might work better?

Loader9 · November 29, 2008, 09:05 PM

I went thru 200 of them trying to get them to come out of 1"9 and 1:8 twist DPMS rifles. I won't waste the money again. If groups at 1 1/2" are satisfactory for you out of a target grade rifle- maybe they'll work for you. If I'm spending premium money on a premium bullet, I expect premium performance. I didn't get it. Maybe for hunting, which is what they are designed for, and the ranges are short, they could make a 223 act like a big gun. But I have big guns.
Here's the data from Barnes
http://www.barnesbullets.com/images/223RemingtonWeb.pdf
The H4895 is supposed to be the most accurate in their testing. That's exactly what I used and also other powders including Varget, 2230, WC844, 2015br, 2200, H335, 748 and none was acceptable.

November 29, 2008, 01:30 PM	#1
two 70 Member Join Date: July 27, 2008 Location: Extreme NE Wa Posts: 54	Mini Target .223 w/70 gr Barnes XXX New reloading setup complete and now in the process of developing loads for my target mini. Am getting excellent results with 60 gr VMax over 26 gr Varget w/ CCI400's but would like to experiment with some heavier loads. Barrel is 1:9. Anyone tried the Barnes XXX 70gr in .223? Was concerned about bullet length and powder capacity with these long copper slugs. They would have to be seated quite deep to accomodate magazine feeding I would presume.

November 29, 2008, 06:35 PM	#2
rn22723 Junior member Join Date: December 10, 2001 Location: Burbs of Minneapolis Posts: 676	You may well not have a fast enough twist to handle the bullet, due to the length. I would suggest that you look at some of the lighter wt bullets? Barnes are awful expensive to be messing around with. The Sierra 65grSBT might be a good cheaper choice that might work better?

November 29, 2008, 09:05 PM	#3
Loader9 Senior Member Join Date: July 29, 2008 Posts: 949	I went thru 200 of them trying to get them to come out of 1"9 and 1:8 twist DPMS rifles. I won't waste the money again. If groups at 1 1/2" are satisfactory for you out of a target grade rifle- maybe they'll work for you. If I'm spending premium money on a premium bullet, I expect premium performance. I didn't get it. Maybe for hunting, which is what they are designed for, and the ranges are short, they could make a 223 act like a big gun. But I have big guns. Here's the data from Barnes http://www.barnesbullets.com/images/223RemingtonWeb.pdf The H4895 is supposed to be the most accurate in their testing. That's exactly what I used and also other powders including Varget, 2230, WC844, 2015br, 2200, H335, 748 and none was acceptable.