Heavy bullets for my 223?

Question

I shoot a savage 12 varmint 223 and just started to reload this yr. i am having good luck shooting 55 gr vmax bullets but I really would like to shoot a heavier bullet to reach out at longer ranges for coyotes and chucks. i am looking at 70 to 80 gr bullets and everyone seems to have good luck with them so i ordered some from midway. but i would like to know if anyone shoots heavy bullets and what power measure they use and how deep to seat the bullet. no over loads please i dont want to but a new gun. : )

Answer 1

Most of the Savage model 12 rifles come with a 1 in 9 twist rifling but there are 2 models which have a 1 in 7 twist. I'm going to guess yours is a 1 in 9. I have a Savage 10FP .223 with a 1 in 9 barrel and I shoot 75 grain Hornady Amax bullets and the first 3 shot group after sighting it in measured 0.061" center to center at 100 yards. This load will easily reach out to 500+ yards accurately.

The load I used was, PMC brass, Winchester small rifle primers, and 21.5 grains of Vitavourhi N135 powder. I seated the bullet so that it was about .003" from the lands when chambered. I use an RCBS powder measure with a micrometer adjustment.

Answer 2

i suggest barnes tsx 70 grain bullets because you could load a 17 hmr with barnes and kill them at 100 yards instantly with a good shot and these bullets are ultra high expanding and penettrating so you dont have to load them up so high and i suggest hogdon h10000 powder

Answer 3

check the twist rate in your barrel. easy with a cleaning rod, jag, tight patch and marker.

I load and shoot 77 grain Hornady OTM in my Colt 1/7 20" AR-15A2. It's not a hunting bullet but great for Match Shooting. That twist can also run the 60 grain VMax very well which I do use for Fox and Bobcat.

Answer 4

Careful careful...... Whats the twist rate of your rifles barrel?? Some heavier bullets will not work efficiently depending on your rifles twist rate...... Check the 5th paragraph of the below .223 cartridge guide for more clarification....

http://www.6mmbr.com/223Rem.html

Answer 5

Heavier bullets will not stabilize unless the twist of the barrel is at least 1 in 9.  I have a Savage 112 with a 1 in 12 and 68 gr Hornady hp match bullets turn sideways by  the time they reach 100 yrds.The twist should be posted on your barrel.

I too would like to use heavier bullets and I am waiting on a return from Savage to see what a newer barrel with 1 in 9 costs.  My most accurate bullet has been Hornady 40 gr v-max.  They are good on ground squirrels out to 250 yards, but a mite light for the bigger stuff.

Answer 6

My rule of thumb is:

1-12 twist good for 45gr-60gr

1-9 twist good for 50gr-70gr (some rifles may stabilize 75gr)

1-7 twist good for 55gr-80gr+

Keep in mind faster twists stabilize longer bullets better not necessarily heavier. The 1-7twist was required by the military so the M16 could stabilize tracer rounds which are long but relatively light.

Slower twists will  keyhole heavier (longer) bullets

Faster twists will shoot lighter (shorter) bullets but they may exhibit loss of accuracy to a degree. Sometimes they shoot very well.

There are exceptions  to every rule, some rifles barrels bend the rules a bit and defy logic.