.223 ????

[.270]

I have a ruger m77 in .223. I think the twist rate is 1:9. How heavy a bullet should this gun be able to stablilze?

[Grumulkin]

Up to 80 grains probably.

It's not bullet weight that matters but bullet length.  For the same weight, a round nosed bullet is shorter than a spitzer so stabilizes more easily.  For example, I shoot Speer 70 grain Semi-Spitzers out of several 1:12 twist barrels with no problem.

[drdougrx]

Hey Grumulkin,

I have Rem700 Varminter that has a 1:12 twist...I tried 68gr Hornady Match HPs and they keyholed (and blew through a set of skyscreens!)  Can you share that 70gr load???  The rifle shoots 40gr BTs like a laser and 55gr into nickel, but more than 55gr.....shotgun!

[shot1]

The Hornady 75 gr A-max is about the max length spitzer bullet that I can get to stabilize in a 9 twist 223. You need a 8 twist to for the 80 gr bullets.  The 69 Sierra with Varget really shoots well.

[DANNY-L]

my mini 14 1-9 twist will not stabilize anything above 69gr.

[Grumulkin]

I shoot the Speer 70 gr. Semi Spitzers in 3 different chamberings (222, 223 and 22-250) all with 1:12 twist barrels (T/C Contender and Encores).  The data for the 223 Remington is:

Bullet: Speer 70 gr. Semi Spitzer
Case: Remington
Primer: CCI BR4 (Remington bench rest primers would probably be as good or better)
Powder: 23.0 grains of VV N-135
COAL: 2.163 in. (to lands)

Three shot groups with this load go into about 0.5 inches at 100 yards.  Everything I've hit with the Speer 70 gr. Semi Spitzers, including a deer with the 222, a deer with the 22-250 at 360 yards, groundhogs, rabbits, etc. have died with one shot.  I haven't chronographed the load but it's fast enough.  Though I use VV N-135 in my load, I think other powders would work equally well since the common denominator is probably the bullet rather than the powder.

I have, by the way, tried heavy match bullets in my 223 barrel and, as you all have found out, they keyholed; but not so with the Speers.  I've even heard of them being used successfully in 1:14 twist barrels but I can't personally testify to that.

[drdougrx]

Thanks Grum!

Think I'll get some.  I was thinking of using 60gr Nosler Partitions on small exotic sheep just for something different...but...crazy large groups.  Will give the speers a try.

[mcwoodduck]

Thanks Grum!

Think I'll get some.  I was thinking of using 60gr Nosler Partitions on small exotic sheep just for something different...but...crazy large groups.  Will give the speers a try.

We shot two Javilina this past Feb with Remington factory 50grain soft points in a 50 pack.  Not what I wanted but, at the time the only hunting bullet I could find in 223.
Mine was a clear through and through.
We found the projectile from the Desert pig my friend shot at around 200 yards.
The round broke ribs, went through the heart and lungs, broke ribs out and was found in the skin on the far side.
The round was nicely mushroomed.  A couple of peices of jacket broke off but it looked like a nice flat based mushroom round.  To about .30
I think it is more about the construction of the bullet than about the weight.  If you are thinking of shooting animals up to 60 pounds I think the lighter hunting bullets will work for you, as opposed to varmint style bullets that are made to come apart.

[.270]

Hey Grumulkin,

I have Rem700 Varminter that has a 1:12 twist...I tried 68gr Hornady Match HPs and they keyholed (and blew through a set of skyscreens!)  Can you share that 70gr load???  The rifle shoots 40gr BTs like a laser and 55gr into nickel, but more than 55gr.....shotgun!

This is what I dont want to do.

My brothers girl says she wants to hunt deer this year. The only other centerfire I have to let her use is my 204 beacuse I know where my 270 is gonna be. It seems like a no brainer to me.

[Dand]

I have had decent accuracy with the 70 gr Speers in my Ruger 1 with 1:10 twist. I think I got about 1.5 " at 100 - pretty common for that gun. It usually shoots 1-1.5 inch groups with decent loads.  I probably used 748 or IMR 4895.  Its been a long time, I'll have to look those loads up. Its a good bullet.

[drdougrx]

I shoot 69gr Nosler match HPs and 68gr Hornady match hps over 24gr RL15 out of my bushy NM which has a 1in9 twist....nice 3/4" groups so I'm good.  I really like my rem700 varminter but the 1in12 twist....i guess I'll play with it some more. 

I'm not really crazy about the 223 and small big game though I'm somewhat curious.  A lot of folks seem to use the 52gr sierra with much success...I was thinking of an A-Max.

[shot1]

If you got to use a 223 for deer get you some 55 gr Sierra SBT GAME KINGS. They make a 55 gr SPT VARMINTER also but that is not the one you want. Get the soft point boat tail GAME KING. This is a pretty tough bullet for the 22's and will stay together pretty well on deer size game. Take lung shots. I doubt that 12 twist will stabilize the new Sierra 65 gr GAME KING but that would be a good one for a 9 twist as well as the tried and true 60 gr Nosler partition.

[223fan]

My AR wich has a 1:9 rate shoots 65gr.gamekings with a medium charge of varget great.