Best bullet weight for 1 in 12 twist .223

[32 Point Buck]

I have inherited a Smith & Wesson 1500 .223. I have done a lot of searching and it looks like it is the same as a Howa 1500. Anyway I think I finally found a thread on another site that states the Howa 1500 has a barrel twist rate of 1 in 12". This is only an 18" barrel. Since I use a 25-06 for white tail. I thought this would be a good rifle for Coyote. I do not reload and only shoot factory ammunition. Wow! I thought the ammo would be cheaper for the .223 but not if I use premium loads. Well, I guess it is cheaper comparing it to the box of Federal 100gr triple shock ammunition I recently purchased for deer hunting this year. Should have never done that my Tikka loves those rounds. I want to try the federal 110gr Nosler Accubond as well in the Tikka. I don't think they are quite as expessive.
Anyway back to my subject. Since I like flat trajectories I was looking at the Hornady 40gr V-Max or the Federal Premium 40gr Nosler Ballistic Tip. I am not sure with the short barrel if it would be accurate shooting the lighter faster loads at longer ranges with this barrel. I am aware every gun shoots differently but I would like a place to start without shelling out $20 per box. I am also open to other alternatives as far as accurate factory load options for both the .223 and 25-06.

[Catfish]

Try some of the cheaper ammo by Win. and some of the others. I think you you will find one that shoots very well in you gun. Your gun should shoot well with bullets below 60 gr., but for groundhogs ect. I always prefered the 50 gr. bullets.

[Heavy C]

Like Catfish said, try Winchester.  My .223 loves the 45 gr varmint ammo in the white box.  It's a great load and pretty economical.  I think in a 1 in 12 twist your max is going to be about 55 grains.  That is the limit I found on mine - now the challenge is finding a brand/load it likes with that bullet weight.

Good luck.

[32 Point Buck]

Thank you for your input.
I'm going to check out the Winchester Ammo. My thought was backwards on the bullet wieght. I thought a "slower twist" 1 in 12 inches would be more inherent to shoot heavier bullets and a 1 in 9 inch would better handle faster lighter bullets. I was also concerned with the short lenght of the barrel. But it seems that may not play as much as a factor.

[ccoker]

my son's handirifle, 223 with a short barrel and a 1-12 twist shoots 55g sp's well, and 64 sp's fairly well
fine enough for him on deer out to about 100 yards

he shot his first deer 2 weekends ago, a doe at 90 yards, perfect heart shot, passed through the far shoulder with about a 1 plus hole.. he's 9 and was VERY excited!

try some georgia arms 50 rd boxes of 55g softpoints.. about 14 a box

[jasonprox700]

My Bushmaster Varminter with a 24" barrel and 1 in 9 twist loves these cheap 45 grainers too.  .5" at 100yards.  Even shot them through a chrony and the largest velocity spread was around 50 fps.  Can't go wrong with these.  Did I mention they come in a box of fifty for like $10 bucks?

[32 Point Buck]

Where do you go to get them in a box of 50 for $10? They want $16.99 at my local Cabellas. Scheels doesn't stock them. I will definitly try them out.
I also noticed Cabellas had Ultramax 40gr Nosler Ballistic Tip. These are a little more pricy. They were $24.95 for a box of 50. Anyone tried these rounds? I think they be remanufactured? Is that true. Still not near as good of price as for the Winchesters and if the Winchester's shoot the those kind of groups. You have the best of both worlds. Which doesn't happen often.
Thank You.

[backstrap]

I shoot 55gr wolf ammo out of my h&r varmit rifle shoots very well there like 6dollers a box or the 45 grain eagles maid by fedral like 4 a box here i dont reload eather so i shoot chap ammo out of my gun try going to www.cheaperthandirt.com thay have a lott of cheap ammo that shots well hope this helps

[Heavy C]

Sportsman's Warehouse is usually where I buy my ammo.  I have found they have the best assortment of bullet type, brand, and caliber.

[pastorp]

Wal-mart carries the white box winchester ammo. It shoots the best in my CZ. The wolf 55gr hp shoots almost as good. My rifle has a 1in 12 twist also.    Regards, Byron