80gr Bergers in .223 ?

[redbang]

I have a heap of these left over from the bolt action I was shooting last year, will they be safely useable in the Handi ? The ser no HX*****. Thanks, Red.

[GatCat]

A lot depends on the rate of twist...NEF offered two different twist rates...try 'em and see how they do.
Mark

[LaOtto222]

The Handi 223 is more than likely a 1 - 9" twist. The 80 grain Berger bullets will be on the ragged edge of stability. Berger recommends a 1 - 8" twist barrel for them. Load a few up and give them a try. Only then will you know for sure if they will work - but do not be surprised if they tumble; they are a long bullet. Good Luck and Good Shooting

BTW I have a 1 - 8" 22BR - you could give them to me if they do not work out for you

[Big Blue]

Higher velocity loads might help to stabilize them better.
Don

[gcrank1]

In theory the higher velo may work, but in practice it rarely (in my experience) does. Not to say it wont work for you, do try as long as you can do so safely and within recommended data.
The problem is that a bullet of a given ballistic coefficient (thus length) that is unstable, or on the ragged edge of stable) in a given twist can usually not be driven enough faster to get it to be stable without overloading. Its the physics that gets you.
Even if you can get a marginal BC bullet and twist to be barely stable at the muzzle and out a bit, what happens when the velo falls off at distance? Will it do OK to 50 or 100yds, then tumble?
Since you have the components to try, give it a go, you may be the lucky dog.

[gendoc]

i have a friend that has a m77 ruger with 3 barrels in .223, why... i dunno  
but anyway, we were play'n with them oneday with various handloads.
he was shooting 80gr .224 and they all were unstable. we picked the worst
barrel and chopped it to 19" crowned and tried.....
guess what..... that barrel handled the 80gr out to 200yrds without flip'n out !!!!!
all had same twist... but not as much throw....
these were not hot loaded, same load as before. and the chronied velocity was maybe 75fps faster
and very stable. least resistance would be my bet....

i'd say try them in your handi and stay in the load data guidelines.
good luck and be safe !!!

[Big Blue]

gendoc,
That explanation might go a long way in understanding why I was able to stabilize 320gr. bullets from my short 16" barreled Marlin 1894P in .44 mag.
Don

[gendoc]

big blue,
that cud be the reason...
physic's and theory are one thing.....but results are the final fact.
just ask a professor.... why does a helicopter fly, when its not suppose to ??
ain't we jus glad that our shoot'n irons are not that hard to control....

[redbang]

Thanks folks, will give them a go with fingers crossed !  Watch this space. . .
LaOtto222. Ha de Ha !! have you seen my address ? also would be like sending cowboy hats to Texas ! 
                                                                  Cheers, Red.