best bullet weight for 1 in 9 twist .223

[DIVR6347]

hi all
i have a cz varmit laminate in .223 rem with a 1 in 9 twist anyone have that gun and if so what does it like as far as a bullet weight??

i have tried 50 gr bt s 52 gr matchkings and 52 gr sst s and all will only get me about 3/4 of an inch at 100 yds  i would like to try and make it shoot into 1/2 inch if possible cant seem to find a bullet it likes
any ideas??
divr6347    

[AZ223]

I'd try 65-70gr with a 1:9 twist. Most of the fast-twist barrels will shoot the smaller (55gr & under) well, but shooters seem to like the heavier bullets for better downrange accuracy & energy. Mine is a 1:12, and I'm having good luck with 50 & 55gr, Nosler BT's and Sierras respectively. I've also read that when you push smaller bullets at very high velocities in a 1:9 or faster barrel they can come apart in flight. I've never seen it happen, so maybe someone else can shed some light on this.

3/4" at 100 consistently isn't bad, but I know what it's like to pursue that elusive ragged hole.  :?  Good luck!

[mountainview]

Rule o' thumb for the fast twists is to use heavier bullets (55 grain and up). Will depend on the quirks of the individual rifle as to what is the best bullet but I use 55 grain Hornady soft points and get nice tight <.5" groups, never saw the need to go with the heavier bullets though I never know when the bug to try something new will bite.

[GLC]

You'll really have to just try a few different bullets and see.  My Savage 12 BVSS shoots 75's the best and it is 1-9 twist.  Have not shot anything heavier.  Shoots 52 Sierra Match bullets great too on the lighter end.  

Some 1-9 twists won't stabilze 75's well, some will.  There are guys at my range with 1-9's who can't shoot 75's well but shoot 69's great.  

Good shooting.

[ras308]

I am very interested in how your rifles shoot the heavier bullets at longer ranges???  I have a very bad itch to build a 22-250 improved with a 8 twist barrel???  I'd really like to shoot the 80 grain Sierra at loooong-range???

[Val]

Have you tried varying the bullet seating depth on the loads? Sometimes accuracy can be improved by playing with the seating depth. Often the magazine will limit the Overall Length that you can set the round at for hunting loads.

[JohnV]

I have the same gun in the kevlar. You may want to inspect the barrell/action fit. It may need bedding or relief work. I say this because a 22-250 CZ in laminate just would not shoot as well as I wished. I traded it back for the HS kevlar and had a shooter.

My load for my 527 is 23.5gr H322 with the 52bthp match. I shoot to 3/8" at 100. It shoots 1/2" at 200. This is a great shooter. I did not have to try longer bullets in this 1x9 barrel to get good results. CZ is a fine gun out of the box, but I have had to work with the stocks to make them consistent.

[theoldman]

divr6347  I have the same rifle in 223. It likes the 52 and 53 grain sierra bullets real well over 27 grains of varget. under 1/2 inch at a 100 yards. I have never got it to shoot 1/4 inch yet but still hopeing to. I had do do stock work to mine to get it to shoot. When removing the screw behind the trigger guard the back of the action raised up about 3/16 inch. Removed enough wood so the action would not be in a bind and bedded the action. problem solved. I have tried some 60 and 69 grain bullets in mine and can't get them to group. May have given up on them to soon, only tried a couple of different powers and loads, to much fun shooting the 52 & 53 grainers. good luck and if you find a load that put the 69 grainer into 1/2 inch please post it.

thanks theoldman

[theoldman]

divr6347  I have the same rifle in 223. It likes the 52 and 53 grain sierra bullets real well over 27 grains of varget. under 1/2 inch at a 100 yards. I have never got it to shoot 1/4 inch yet but still hopeing to. I had do do stock work to mine to get it to shoot. When removing the screw behind the trigger guard the back of the action raised up about 3/16 inch. Removed enough wood so the action would not be in a bind and bedded the action. problem solved. I have tried some 60 and 69 grain bullets in mine and can't get them to group. May have given up on them to soon, only tried a couple of different powers and loads, to much fun shooting the 52 & 53 grainers. good luck and if you find a load that put the 69 grainer into 1/2 inch please post it.

thanks theoldman

[theoldman]

divr6347  I have the same rifle in 223. It likes the 52 and 53 grain sierra bullets real well over 27 grains of varget. under 1/2 inch at a 100 yards. I have never got it to shoot 1/4 inch yet but still hopeing to. I had do do stock work to mine to get it to shoot. When removing the screw behind the trigger guard the back of the action raised up about 3/16 inch. Removed enough wood so the action would not be in a bind and bedded the action. problem solved. I have tried some 60 and 69 grain bullets in mine and can't get them to group. May have given up on them to soon, only tried a couple of different powers and loads, to much fun shooting the 52 & 53 grainers. good luck and if you find a load that put the 69 grainer into 1/2 inch please post it.

thanks theoldman    :-)