best target bullet weight for a .223

G

gringojosh

New member
Obviously, different guns like different loads. But if you were to choose one bullet weight to use for target shooting with a .223, which would it be?
 
Depends on the target. I load 77 SMKs for 200 & 300 and 80 SMKs for 600 & 1000 yards.

If you are only going the one bullet route, then I'd suggest the 77s.
 
It also depends on the barrel twist. A seven twist you can use heavier bullets than a nine twist. I use 69 gn. in my nine twist.
 
I shoot a lot of 68gr BTHP,and also 75gr Amax with my 1-8 twist RRA,and 75gr BTHP moly's with my 1-9 twist Savage 12.The Amax's are just a little too long for the 1-9 twist to stabilize.
 
I've owned at least five 223's all were most accurate at 100 yards with the 52gr match, Sierra or Berger. I normally buy sierra 52gr match king because on occasion I find them on sale.
 
Depends on the type of rifle. AR's are limited to 2.260 OAL due to the magazine. That will mean a max of 69 grain bullets for the AR. (else you will have a single shot rifle)

Generally you will find the AR uses 55 grain or 62 grain bullets.

For a bolt action rifle you could go up to a 80 or 90 grain bullet depending on the length of your chamber. I use 75 grain A-Max's for my bolt action rifle.

Both AR's and Bolt Action are 1:9 twist.

Jim
 
Since I never shoot paper past 100 yards, I stay with varmint-weight bullets. I've generally found that the Sierra 55-grain boat-tails are the most reliable for half-MOA.
 
AR's are limited to 2.260 OAL due to the magazine. That will mean a max of 69 grain bullets for the AR. (else you will have a single shot rifle)
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77 SMKs load from the mag,the Army uses them in their SDM Rifles. I use them in my Setting and Prone Rapid Fire.
 
Since I never shoot paper past 100 yards, I stay with varmint-weight bullets. I've generally found that the Sierra 55-grain boat-tails are the most reliable for half-MOA.
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Question why not Art?
 
I don't have a fast twist rifle so my best bullet weights are 45 to 55 gr. My 223 will not group 60gr and above. (700 VLS)
 
Rifling twist rate affects my choice too.

In my HBAR for long range it's either 77 gr or 80 grain match bullets. At 200 yards almost any bullet will do and at 300 yards either the 69 grain SMK or the 77 grain MK. I bought quite a few Hornady Amax bullets a while back, so my next project is to see how they compare with the 77 grain MK. Perhaps I'll try and shoot these accross the course (200, 300 and 600 yards).

I was hoping to use the 75 grain Hornady Amax bullets in my Winchester 70 .223 Varmint rifle with a 1 on 9 barrel (converted to an over the course rifle), but they won't stabalize past 100 yards as at 200 yards they leave oblong holes on target and group sizes expand to about about 5" v. 1" at 100 yards. For that rifle 69 grain bullets seem to be the answer. Unfortunately that leaves it a bit challenged at 600 yards.
 
I also shoot the Hornady 75gr HPBT bullets in my heavy barrel AR15 w/a 1:8 twist barrel and it loads to magazine length.

It shoots great, I'm able to hit steel plates out to 600yds consistently and my 11 yo son does the same on the same rifle.
http://i915.photobucket.com/albums/ac352/ejhc11/AR15/ARTriosmall.jpg

In the Hornady reloading manual they do test the 75gr HPBT w/ a 1:9 twist barrel for their reload recipes. So you just have to go out and test it yourself to find the best one for the gun.
 
The range is going to be the major thing to dictate which bullet to use.
If your shooting at 100 200yrds then anything will do.

But as you get out further you'l be wanting to look into the higher BC bullets like the 75/80gr A maxs, but then barrel twist becomes a factor with heavy bullets.

If its at 400/500yards then a 69/70 odd grain bullet should stabilize in a 1:9 barrel or a 75gr A max should be good for a 1:8 twist barrel.
Unless your shooting at 1000yrds then a good 65-75gr bullet should be ok without needing a barrel twist that'll prevent your from using light varmint bullets.
 
Do you mean 223Rem?

If so, I would use the bullet that shot the best out of my firearm.
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I agree. My rifles don't always shoot match bullets better than varmint bullets. It's a trial-and-error-error-error-SUCCESS situation. However, seating depth testing is often more important to accuracy in a particular rifle than powder, primer, and bullet selection.
 
Ive shot Hornady Superformance Match 75gr. out of my 1;9 twist mini-14 with no problems. Its pretty good ammo. It shot as good as my handloads. I prefer to roll my own but that ammo is very good for the price.
 
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