What bullet weight for 700 P 223

J

JLK

New member
I want to get a Remington 700 heavy barrel 223
Both have 1:9 twist on has 20 inch. Barrel other 26.
I would like to shoot 69 gr. match ammo.
I have read a lot of opinions that a 1:9 twist is not
Good for heavy bullets
Any opinions you'd like to share on the subject would be appreciated.
 
1:9 is better for heavy bullets than slower twist rates

Just try the bullets you want to use and see what happens, because any other method is just speculation
 
I have a 1:9 twist CZ 527 Varmint .223 with a 24 inch barrel and I use the CZs set trigger that breaks at less than 2 lbs to test loads off a F Class bipod and rear bag. The normal CZ trigger is 3.2 lbs without using the set feature and I can't get the same accuracy without using the set trigger.

By the way, I had to change the trigger on my Remington 700 in .22-250 with a 26 inch barrel to get anywhere close to its best accuracy. A Timney trigger reduced the average group sizes by almost 0.15 inches at 100 yards over the factory trigger. You might consider that if you are an accuracy freak like me.

The CZs best 69 grain group average at 100 yards is 0.378 inches for 9 measured groups with #1380 Sierra Match King bullets and 23.5 grains of H4895 powder at 2.260 OAL at around 2870 fps.
Deeper seating with 69 SMKs with the same powder load got into the 0.45 range and slower loads at 23.1 grains averaged just about under 0.510 . Faster loads with the 69 SMKs dropped off in accuracy and were getting into the Near Maximum range according to QuickLoad.

I've shot up to 75 grain bullets in the 1:9 twist with reasonable accuracy of just under 0.657 inches at 100 yards.

However, my rifle seems to really like 52 grain # 1410 HPBT SMKs and Berger # 22408 Flat base, and 53 grain # 1400 Flat Base SMKs better than anything else. It also shoots Nosler Ballistic Tip 40 grain bullets very accurately around 3450 to 3500 fps.

The Nosler BTs are like grenades when they hit prairie dogs.

Its top 25 hand loads are with 40 Noslers (2) and the 52 SMKs (6), 52 Bergers (6) & 53 grain SMKs (11). The combined loads average 0.265 over 95 measured groups.

Enjoy trying to find your rifles favorite loads. There are lots of great choices available for a 1:9 twist.
 
If you want to use the 69 grainers, you need to get as much velocity as possible to stabilize-the longer barrel will probably help. I shoot 69HPBT out of a 1-9 20" AR getting 3-4" groups at 350 yards BUT not all 20" 1-9 barrels will do this. Some ammo may be "optimized" for use in "service rifles"(20") and may not gain a lot ov velcity with 26" barrels. One ballistic test report indicated velocity dropped on the tested lot of 855 green tip ammo when barrel length went past 24".
 
I have read a lot of opinions that a 1:9 twist is not
Good for heavy bullets
Click to expand...

I have too. If a rifle length 1:9 barrel won't properly stabilize a 68/69 gr match bullet, you have a bad barrel. IME, 75/77 gr bullets are right around the max, with a 75 amax being a little too much. I would not be surprised if a 26" 1:9 could shoot a 75 amax like a champ.
 
I'd say it's more likely than not they will shoot well. Heavier bullets (77gr +) are maybe 50/50 at best but 69gr works well with the 1:9s I have tried. Certainly worth a try IMHO....
 
I've had very good luck shooting 69 gr bullets out of a 1:9 twist. In fact they were outstanding and it would not shoot anything as well. Never tried anything heavier though.
 
I believe yo should be good shooting 69gr SMK for distance with a 1:9, but you will just have to give it a try. you may find that your gun does better with 62 and under. but a lot of folks get good resuts with 69gr with your twist. if you are going for the most accurate for under 200 yards, I would try 55gr and under flat-based bullets though. 52gr hornadays ae extremely accurate as are the match burners.
good luck, just keep trying different lengths and weights till you figure out what your gun likes.

hornaday makes a 68gr BTHP that isn't as long as the sierra match king. I would try that after the smk and see if it's better for you. the faster twist don't necessarily have a problem with the weight, its the length that can cause instability. I have been running the 75gr hornaays in a 1:7 with better success than the 77-80gr

http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/6143
 
I have a Rem. 700 SPS Tactical with a 20" barrel and 1:9 twist. The rounds that shoot best in my Rem are Hornady 75 grain BTHP's. It shoots 1/2" at 100 yds. and I've gotten a 15/16" three shot group at 200 yards. The second most accurate rounds are Black Hills 68 gr BTHP's. At least in my stick, it likes heavier rounds. YMMV!
 
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