Best BC bullet out of a 1-12 twist 223 rem.

[winmag76]

I've got a factory 700 rem. VSF 223 that I want to shoot out to 400 yards maybe more at crows and maybe some foxes and coyotes. It always shoot 52 gr sierra's and H335 around a 3/8 inch 5 shot at 100 if I don't mess it up. I have a couple 243's but this gun is just easy to shoot and load but I have never loaded anything heavier than 53's. Thanks for all the shared info.

[Johnboy]

for me I like to shoot a 55gn NBT with 27 gn of varget.but this is a compressed load so I would work up to that.but when I do my part it will give a dime size group out at 100 yards.and if you wanted to try a 60gn bullet of choice you should be able to get it to shoot.anything past 60gn may not give you what you are looking for.but varget/R15/benchmark/748/BLC-2/4895/4198 should all work.hope this helps...John

[rdsii64]

Originally Posted by winmag76

I've got a factory 700 rem. VSF 223 that I want to shoot out to 400 yards maybe more at crows and maybe some foxes and coyotes. It always shoot 52 gr sierra's and H335 around a 3/8 inch 5 shot at 100 if I don't mess it up. I have a couple 243's but this gun is just easy to shoot and load but I have never loaded anything heavier than 53's. Thanks for all the shared info.

I know this is a way old thread but I just found it. I currently also have a 12 twist .223. I have shot this rifle accuratly in a mid range F class match.(600 yards) I use a 50 grain Vmax bullet and 26 grains of N133. That combination is accurate enough to hold the ten ring at 600 yards If i can stay on top of the wind. At 350 yards that load will flat hammer anything that is appropriate to hunt with a .223

Now as far as the BC. On paper the heaviest you and I are going to be able to shoot out of a 12 twist barrel is about 60 grains. In the real world I would not bet the farm on anything heavier than a 55 grain bullet. When it comes to loading for a .223 with a 12 twist barrel we have to play to the rifles strong suite. That is driving LIGHT bullets fast enough to overcome the low BC. As noted above I can drive a 50 grain bullet fast enough to be accurate at 600 yards. My load books at 3500 FPS. You can push a 40 grain bullet into the 3700 fps zone with no over preasure issues if you pick the right powder. In fact Fiochie states their factory 40 grain vmax round is running 3650 at the muzzle of a 12 twist 24 inch barrel.

A 12 twist .223 will "git 'er done" if you play to the weapons stong suit

[winmag76]

Thanks for your reply. I just loaded some 50 gr BT over 26 gr of H335 but I have not chronographed it yet, I don't think it will get close 3600 fps in my factory VSF Remington an all I load is Hodgdon or IMR so I guess I will step it up a bit if I can.

[Jinx-)]

try 26.6 grains of H335 and 55 gr V-Max seated 0.007" of the lands for my rem 700 col 2.275

you wouldn't believe me, but I found RE-17 is the best so far 26.5 grains of it, just try it, you'll be surprised... o yeah over 55 grain V-Max.

Seriously you are asking a-lot from 223 with 1:12 twist for 400 yards, 1:9 twist is more suitable with 69 grains SMK and 1:8 is even better choice...

[winmag76]

I'm just trying to get the most out of what I got, but maybe some custom work in the future.

[Jinx-)]

yeah me to, as soon as barrel dies, probably another 4K shots , I also had good luck with RE-15, I will look for the load and posted it later...