223 load?

[KF9VH]

With a 1-12 twist what is the the largest slug that will shoot accurately? Do you have a pet load?

Thanks

[Iowegan]

The 223 Rem with a 1:12 twist was designed around a 55 grain bullet traveling at 3240 fps. Velocity is the key. The books say if you maintain a velocity within 90% of the optimum (3240 fps in this case), your bullet will stabilize to at least 300 yards. 90% of 3240 is 2916 fps, so look at the reloading charts and see what weight bullet can be driven at that speed. My Speer manual shows loads for a 62 grain bullet that will safely hit 2900 fps.

My favorite load is a 55 gr Nosler Ballistic tip running 3200 fps with 27 grains of Varget. This is a compressed load and is super accurate.

[KF9VH]

Thanks for the info. I am shooting a Ruger that has a 20 inch barrel. It is a little harder to get the high velocities with it(unlike 24").

I bought some of the walmart white box(45grain) stuff, I have read good reports on it. I sure hope it shoot. It is all most as cheap as reloading.

[ricciardelli]

0.723" to 0.785"

http://stevespages.com/page8e.htm

[josebd]

i have a rem.1-12 twist,i shoot 55 grain hornady v-max,with 27.4 blc2,chronographed at 3180,groups 1/2 or less,best shot over 400 yards prairie dog. with 53 grain hp match hornady,3 nearly in same hole 100 yards.

[Jerry Lester]

Thanks for the info. I am shooting a Ruger that has a 20 inch barrel. It is a little harder to get the high velocities with it(unlike 24").

I bought some of the walmart white box(45grain) stuff, I have read good reports on it. I sure hope it shoot. It is all most as cheap as reloading.

I also have a MK-II 223, and I've come up with several good loads using 60g-64g bullets. Some very accurate loads in mine are loaded with Sierra 63g semi-points.

I've used these heavier bullet loads with great success on deer. I purposefully keep the velocity lower(around 2800 fps) so they act more in a controled expansion manner, which has proven to be very effective on deer within 150-200 yards.

I've experimented with loads using the 63g Sierras, with velocities down to around 2500 fps(muzzle), and still(within 200 yards) not had problems with bullet stability. Granted now, the Semi-points aren't as long as spitzers, but then, I've had very similar results with Winchester 64g PPs under the same conditions in the same velocity ranges.