best .223 bullet for 1"12" barrel?

coolhandluke4 · January 30, 2008, 04:59 PM

Just bought a CZ 452 Varmint in 223, and was wondering what would be the best grain bullets to try loading? it's a 1"12" twist barrel. I shot it for the first time today, and got a little under 1" groups at 50 yards (didn't have enough time to get to 100 yards.)
thanks!

Scorch · January 30, 2008, 05:15 PM

50 to 55 gr will probably give the best performance. Try the 52 or 53 gr match bullets, my 223 loves them.

Shoney · January 30, 2008, 06:00 PM

Barrel maker Lilja shows that the 12 twist is ideal for 55-60 gr bullets, while 14 is best for 50-52 gr bullets.

Shilen says that 12 is for bullets up to 63 gr., while 14 is best for bullets up to 55 gr.

firechicken · January 30, 2008, 06:41 PM

I've had good luck with Sierra 40gr HP, Speer 50gr TNT HP, Midway's Dogtown bullets in both 50gr SP and 55gr SP, and Nosler 52gr Custom Competition bullets. I think 60gr or 62gr is about the heaviest you can go with 1-12" twist.

Red_Eagle · January 30, 2008, 06:53 PM

I'm getting 1/2-3/4" three round groups with 55gr Hornady V-max and SP-SX bullets.

rwilson452 · January 30, 2008, 08:21 PM

The others about covered it for bullet weight. If you reload I think if you mess with COAL you can greatly improve your groups. Historically manufacturers make the free bore far to long.

coolhandluke4 · January 30, 2008, 08:43 PM

Thanks guys! Time to have some fun and see what I can come up with

629 shooter · January 30, 2008, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Try the 52 or 53 gr match bullets, my 223 loves them.

My 1 in 12" twist 700 .223 shoots the 52 Sierra MatchKing with outstanding accuracy. My old .223 a 700 VLS, also a 1 in 12" favored the somewhat expensive Berger 52 grain match.

crowbeaner · January 31, 2008, 10:32 PM

Try the 53 grain Sierra MK and H335, BLC2 or WW 748.

Bigswedegml · February 1, 2008, 07:20 PM

My Rem 700 VS loves the 50gr Nosler Ballistic Tip. Best 5-shot group so far was .408" at 100 yards. It also will shoot 55gr Sierra Varminter bullets well, I have had a 5-shot group right at .5" at 100 yards with them.

Hunter Customs · February 2, 2008, 09:54 AM

I have a CZ 527 with a 1in12 twist, sweet little rifle. I havn't done any handloading for it yet, when it comes to factory ammo it likes the 45gr JHP's the best.
Regards
Bob Hunter
www.huntercustoms.com

January 30, 2008, 04:59 PM	#1
coolhandluke4 Member Join Date: February 15, 2007 Location: upstate SC Posts: 70	best .223 bullet for 1"12" barrel? Just bought a CZ 452 Varmint in 223, and was wondering what would be the best grain bullets to try loading? it's a 1"12" twist barrel. I shot it for the first time today, and got a little under 1" groups at 50 yards (didn't have enough time to get to 100 yards.) thanks!

January 30, 2008, 05:15 PM	#2
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	50 to 55 gr will probably give the best performance. Try the 52 or 53 gr match bullets, my 223 loves them. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

January 30, 2008, 06:00 PM	#3
Shoney Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2002 Location: Transplanted from Montana Posts: 2,311	Barrel maker Lilja shows that the 12 twist is ideal for 55-60 gr bullets, while 14 is best for 50-52 gr bullets. Shilen says that 12 is for bullets up to 63 gr., while 14 is best for bullets up to 55 gr. __________________ I pledge allegiance to the Flag - - -, and to the Republic for which it stands….Our Forefathers were brilliant for giving us a Republic, not a democracy! Do you know the difference??? and WHY?http://www.wallbuilders.com/LIBissue...les.asp?id=111

January 30, 2008, 06:41 PM	#4
firechicken Senior Member Join Date: April 17, 2006 Location: Savannah, MO Posts: 224	I've had good luck with Sierra 40gr HP, Speer 50gr TNT HP, Midway's Dogtown bullets in both 50gr SP and 55gr SP, and Nosler 52gr Custom Competition bullets. I think 60gr or 62gr is about the heaviest you can go with 1-12" twist. __________________ The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing. - Edmund Burke

January 30, 2008, 08:21 PM	#6
rwilson452 Senior Member Join Date: June 10, 2004 Location: Tioga co. PA Posts: 2,647	The others about covered it for bullet weight. If you reload I think if you mess with COAL you can greatly improve your groups. Historically manufacturers make the free bore far to long. Last edited by rwilson452; January 30, 2008 at 08:21 PM. Reason: spelling

January 30, 2008, 06:53 PM	#5
Red_Eagle Senior Member Join Date: February 3, 2007 Location: Western NY Posts: 598	I'm getting 1/2-3/4" three round groups with 55gr Hornady V-max and SP-SX bullets.

January 30, 2008, 08:43 PM	#7
coolhandluke4 Member Join Date: February 15, 2007 Location: upstate SC Posts: 70	Thanks guys! Time to have some fun and see what I can come up with

January 31, 2008, 10:32 PM	#9
crowbeaner Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2007 Location: Upstate SC Posts: 1,943	Try the 53 grain Sierra MK and H335, BLC2 or WW 748. __________________ If you want your children to follow in your footsteps, be careful where you walk. Beware the man that only owns one gun; he probably knows how to use it. I just hope my ship comes in before my dock rots.

February 1, 2008, 07:20 PM	#10
Bigswedegml Junior Member Join Date: February 1, 2008 Posts: 4	My Rem 700 VS loves the 50gr Nosler Ballistic Tip. Best 5-shot group so far was .408" at 100 yards. It also will shoot 55gr Sierra Varminter bullets well, I have had a 5-shot group right at .5" at 100 yards with them.

February 2, 2008, 09:54 AM	#11
Hunter Customs Senior Member Join Date: March 26, 2005 Location: Osborn, Missouri Posts: 2,697	I have a CZ 527 with a 1in12 twist, sweet little rifle. I havn't done any handloading for it yet, when it comes to factory ammo it likes the 45gr JHP's the best. Regards Bob Hunter www.huntercustoms.com