Author Topic: Factory Ammo .223 Ultra Varmint 1 in 9" (Read 1518 times)

bigdave1121 · « **on:** March 18, 2008, 05:24:00 PM »

Hey y'all, I'm new here so I thought I'd pull a classic newbie move and ask a question that's probably been discussed ad nauseum, but here it is anyway. What factory ammo (I don't reload yet unfortunately) do you guys find works well in the newer model Ultra Varmints in .223? I did a lot of research before buying the gun and most of the info I found pointed towards the Winchester White Box 45 jhp's. Of course that was all in reference to the 1 in 12" barrel, not to mention the fact that Winchester doesn't make the stuff anymore.

So what's been working for you guys? Any weight in particular? All the ammo I have now is 55gr stuff (Winchester ballistic silver-tips, Federal v-shok jhp's, and Remington psp's)

Thanks for the help!

P.S. I tried using the search function, but all the posts I found were really old.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #1 on:** March 18, 2008, 05:29:52 PM »

Welcome aboard Dave!

Try the search again for 223 ammo, but limit the massage age to between 0 and 365 days to eliminate a bunch of the 1:12" threads.

Tim

bigdave1121 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 18, 2008, 07:05:41 PM »

Well I just spent like an hour and a half sifting through 7 pages worth of search results, and I'm still not really satisfied with what I've found.

So can anyone offer some answers to my original post please. Thank you.

PHATINJUN · « **Reply #3 on:** March 19, 2008, 07:27:55 AM »

try anything in 55gr and find what works best in your bbl. Kurt

Enios · « **Reply #4 on:** March 19, 2008, 08:26:42 AM »

I'm like you, I've just recently purchased an Ultra, and the searches I've done hasn't produced much. What I have found is it doesn't really like any of my reloads that I developed in a 1/12 Remington that are nearly match worthy, but my AR in a 1/9 likes pretty well. I have discovered it really, really likes factory Hornady 75 gr BTHP though. They say it shouldn't but it does. Hates the Federal Premium in 77 though. I will reload some 68 and 69 gr stuff along with the 75 gr I know it likes as soon as weather regulates a little where I can tell where I'm at. My 55's will shoot 1/2" or better in the Remington and 1" to 1 1/2" 10 shot groups in my AR but looks like a shotgun pattern out of the H&R. All I know if I can't come up with some loads it likes someone else will own it and I'll get another Encore. Have already worked the trigger and got it down to just under 2 1/2lbs. shot it with and without stock and with stock floated. Doesn't seem to make a lot of difference. I have 2 friends one has a 1/12 and one a 1/14 in 223 and they both flat out shoot my 40gr and 50gr loads with a vengeance. I'm 223 poor and wanted a 1/9 besides the AR to work up some loads but it won't shoot what my AR will shoot now so I may just get rid of it anyway. I wanted something to shoot the heavier bullets with. Hope your luck is better than mine. I have found mine like the shorter bullets it does much better with jumping to the lands. I had a very good 65 grain load and played with the lengths a lot and appeared the shorter the better. May be why it likes the 75's so much.

PartsMan · « **Reply #5 on:** March 19, 2008, 09:14:12 AM »

The 55g Winchester silver tips shoot really well in my 1 in 9" 22".
1/2" or better at 100yd.
Try them.

bigdave1121 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 19, 2008, 10:28:37 AM »

Thanks for the help. I've only been out to the range with the new gun once so far. I shot about 35 rounds of cheap 55gr FMJ's to break in the barrel (following the Savage barrel break-in guidelines I always use). I had cheap scope rings on though that kept coming loose, so I don't really have an idea of how good it shoots so far. Got some new rings on it now, and I'm gonna get back out to the range again Friday and I'll bring the good ammo with me. I'll keep you guys updated.

tfranklin7 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 19, 2008, 04:37:09 PM »

I have had my Handi .223 Rem bull barrel W/ 1 in 9 twist for about ten months and its been frustrating using factory loads . I floated the forend (light sanding and used a business card under the screw) and started reloading . I am just getting it to shoot under one groups @ 100 yds , my best loads are 25.5 grs. Varget and Hornady 55 gr. V-Max and Midsouth 55 gr. . Also mine shoots better using a Harris bipod. Don't give up ....its a great feeling when you get the right combo of power and bullet . TF

LONGTOM · « **Reply #8 on:** March 19, 2008, 04:54:15 PM »

I also have a ULTRA VARMIT with the gray laminate stock that seems to love the cheap ULTRAMAX 52 gr. HP. It is just getting broken in at about 1" groups so far. My hunting buddy has a heavy barrel in the brown laminate stock and hasn't found a single thing that will shoot under 1.5" yet. I have heard that the heavier bullets will shoot so that is what he is going to try next.

LONGTOM

PartsMan · « **Reply #9 on:** March 20, 2008, 03:48:29 AM »

I tried to post this yesterday but the hosting site was down.

Keep working with them guys.
Mine took a few boxes to break in.
It still only shoots 1.5" to 2" with cheap FMJs.
Silver tips are a different story.

bigdave1121 · « **Reply #10 on:** March 20, 2008, 08:31:13 AM »

Wow those are AWESOME groups! What kind of mods have you done on your gun? Mine is bare bones stock right now.

PartsMan · « **Reply #11 on:** March 20, 2008, 09:01:41 AM »

Plain 223 heavy barrel handi.
Added an Ultra Varmint Fluted fore arm and a Plain synthetic monti carlo.
This receiver, barrel, and fore arm are very tight fit.
Tasco 3-12x40 scope and a paint job.

bigdave1121 · « **Reply #12 on:** March 20, 2008, 03:21:15 PM »

I think that stainless barrel looks really cool with that stock on it. I was wondering if I ordered a stainless barrel how it would look with a blued receiver. I like that look though.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #13 on:** March 20, 2008, 04:15:04 PM »

Here's an SS barrel and blued swap, both ways.

Tim

poncaguy · « **Reply #14 on:** March 20, 2008, 04:41:01 PM »

The Choate Varmit forend really helps Handi accuracy.............................

PartsMan · « **Reply #15 on:** March 21, 2008, 10:59:41 AM »

Quote from: bigdave1121 on March 20, 2008, 03:21:15 PM

I think that stainless barrel looks really cool with that stock on it. I was wondering if I ordered a stainless barrel how it would look with a blued receiver. I like that look though.

Thanks but that's not stainless that's Rustolium.

Here is a closer look.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #16 on:** March 21, 2008, 11:47:29 AM »

And darned nice looking Rustoleum, I must say!!

Tim

bigdave1121 · « **Reply #17 on:** March 21, 2008, 03:03:31 PM »

Well I went out to the range today and it seems that among the ammo I had with me, the Winchester 55gr BST's shot the best. I had one 3 shot group just a shade under an inch, and a 5 shot group just a little over an inch. Given my mediocre shooting skills. the fact the barrel has only had about 50 rounds through it, and the fact that it's a completely stock gun (trigger included), I would say it's a keeper!

I'll probably try a few other brands and weights of ballistic tip ammo the next time I go out to see if it prefers any of those more than the Winchester 55grs.

Thanks for your guy's help thus far!

LONGTOM · « **Reply #18 on:** March 21, 2008, 04:45:15 PM »

What twist rate would a gray stock limited edition ultra varmint with serial # starting with NV be?

LONGTOM

quickdtoo · « **Reply #19 on:** March 21, 2008, 04:48:04 PM »

See the FAQs for build year info, V = 2005, only the fluted 223 barrels were 1:9" then, but you can check the twist rate yourself, see the twist rates listed in the FAQs too, there's info on how to check with a cleaning rod below them.

Tim

LONGTOM · « **Reply #20 on:** March 21, 2008, 04:50:58 PM »

Which twist would be best for 52 to 55 grain bullets?

LONGTOM

quickdtoo · « **Reply #21 on:** March 21, 2008, 04:52:21 PM »

Either will work, both will shoot those weights just fine with the right load.

Tim

LONGTOM · « **Reply #22 on:** March 21, 2008, 04:58:35 PM »

You guys have all the answers. What do you think of redoing a 223 to a 225 WIN?

LONGTOM

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #23 on:** March 21, 2008, 05:08:26 PM »

Quote from: PartsMan on March 20, 2008, 03:48:29 AM

I tried to post this yesterday but the hosting site was down.

Keep working with them guys.
Mine took a few boxes to break in.
It still only shoots 1.5" to 2" with cheap FMJs.
Silver tips are a different story.

Partsman great group and shooting. Looks like one I shoot out of my 700 243. That is a keeper for sure. By the way that forearm looks familiar. Dale

Sourdough · « **Reply #24 on:** March 21, 2008, 07:51:43 PM »

My Ultra .223 shoots the Ultramax 50gr with the Nosler Ballistic Tip best.

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #25 on:** March 22, 2008, 04:55:31 AM »

My Handi 223 did not like the Ultramax at all. The best I could get with that stuff was like 3" groups. Dale

PHATINJUN · « **Reply #26 on:** March 22, 2008, 08:43:40 AM »

Longtom I've done the 225 Winchester love it so far have not cranked it up yet though I will when the weather breaks I'll post picture tommorro. kurt

LONGTOM · « **Reply #27 on:** March 22, 2008, 03:54:47 PM »

Are you using factory or reloads? Which twist did you use 1 in 9 or 1 in 12? I have a lot of 55grain factory for all my other guns but would love to load some 52 or 53 grain BTHP.

LONGTOM

jlgwiz · « **Reply #28 on:** March 24, 2008, 05:15:54 PM »

I have a Ultra 223, 1 in 9 and the only thing I got to shoot well (so far) are the Remington UMC 50gr hollow points. Have tried 55gr from Remington, Hornady, Federal as well as the 45gr from Remington UMC, 62gr American Eagle, none of those were keepers.

jlgwiz