223 rossi

[goldeneagle_hunter]

i got a new 223 rossi a while a go and i cant get it to shoot really good i can shoot 1 1/4 groups with it at 100 yard but not any better what bullets should i try in it i heard that they have a 1in12 twist.

[Trapper-Jack]

I've got a 223 bull barrel and it likes the 45 grain, the ones you can't get any more.  Any way I've gotten good results with heavier bullets, 50 grainers, at about the 3350 to 3400 fps range depending on the powder/  The Rossi has a 1 in 10 twist where the old Handi's have a 1 in 12 twist and a lot of the new Hanei's have a 1 in 9 twist.

[Trapper-Jack]

Sorry, I ment to say the 45 grain bullets from Winchester that came in the White Box that you can't get any more.

[FourBee]

Hey goldeneagle

I'm brand new to these .223's myself, so I've been doing a lot of reading up on them.   

The guys that should know, say each rifle prefers different ammo, so it's up to you to decide which suits it best.    In the meantime, the more you shoot a new rifle (without overheating the barrel) the groups will tighten up do to the conditioning of the barrel.   

In a nut shell, that's the best I can get from their views.

FourBee

[skammy]

seems there are some really strange things going on with these little centre break rifles. Mine was stringing shots badly from new. Regular pattern was a 6 inch drop at 50 yards over 7 shots, then groups would tighten up! I took it back to the dealer who checked it at 100 m, walking out to check each shot in between and so letting the barrel cool down. He put a small shim just behind the forestock attaching socket between the barrel and forestock. When I got the gun back, his 1.5 inch group grew out to 4 inches stringing for me with quick consecutive shots. I then doubled the shim material (still quite thin, about 5 thou probably) and at first didn't think I had made much improvement. I am reloading, 55 grain with 24 grains of 2206H. But then the shots seemed to tighten up. I had put about 230 rounds through initially with no discernable improvement with constant cleaning. Now with another 140 rounds through it, it seems to have finally settled down. But I am still not fully confident! 400 rounds seems like a lot of shots to break a barrel in! certainly makes a budget rifle pretty expensive! I will keep using it and see if it improves. Perhaps I should try some lighter projectiles too? how many others notice stringing with standard barrel with quick consecutive shots?? And lets not confuse information about the bull barrel guns with standard! they are an entirely different dynamic!

[skammy]

Well that's it. this rossi .223 is so inconsistent, shoots all over the place even with careful handloads, including 40 and 55 gr projectiles, and is so temperature dependant I am not even close to being confident with it as a hunting rifle. . When I first posted my problem I was given the advice to trade it on a propper rifle. I thought, nah, she'l be right, but thats it! I have returned the dang thing to the dealer, traded up to a howa 1500. Hope it doesnt give someone else the same headache it has given me. good luck to all who have rossi accuracy/consistency issues.  cheers.

[poncaguy]

I've had a bull barrel 223 for 4 years, shoots MOA with 55 grain rounds.

[skammy]

 I am wondering if you bothered to read the posts in this thread carefully? Have you not picked up that bull barrel models are entirely different dynamics than standard, and lots are saying that the heavy barrel seems to be OK. To be honest, I care little about the bull barrel, I and others are having difficulty with standard barrel models! I still reckon it has to do with the weld stress from that little socket weld on the bottom of the barrel to secure the forestock. What other rifle has a mig welded joint on a gun steel barrel anyway? someone Else's problem now, I have traded it.

[cutter44]

Anyone tried anything heavier? Like 60-64grainers?

[paulhoover]

I have shot both 62 gr hollow point wolf and 62 gr fmj in my youth model 223 and both seem to shoot to the same point of aim with about a 2 inch group.