223 55gr & 70gr projectiles

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223 55gr & 70gr projectiles

Post by Oldbloke » 08 Oct 2016, 11:21 am

The 223 can be loaded with projectiles from 35 gr to 70gr. So the 55gr projectiles seem to be the most popular for the 223 and it apears its the allround compromise weight for the 223.
But you can use upto 70gr projctiles in fast twist barrels. As 15 gr is about 27% increase in weight, is it really going to make a big difference on say goats or smallish pigs, remembering it will be traveling at about 500fps slower speed?

Perhaps projectile construction is more important?

What do the blokes who have tried both think?
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Re: 223 55gr & 70gr projectiles

Post by Gwion » 08 Oct 2016, 1:52 pm

You can actually get 80 & 90gn 224 that will run in a 1:7. More for target though. Just saying.
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Re: 223 55gr & 70gr projectiles

Post by pete1 » 08 Oct 2016, 3:03 pm

I don't think you will see a big difference, shot placement is probably going to affect goats and pigs. As they say you can kill anything with a .22LR its where you shoot it and how close you are.
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Re: 223 55gr & 70gr projectiles

Post by pomemax » 08 Oct 2016, 3:20 pm

I Have 3 223 and they all like different projectiles .My Omark with a mab barrel fitted to it likes 50gr a Ruger M77 in 223 like s 55g and the Tikka in 223 loves anything over 69gr I spent weeks at the range just testing 223 and loads x gr
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Re: 223 55gr & 70gr projectiles

Post by pomemax » 08 Oct 2016, 3:28 pm

I Have 3 223 and they all like different projectiles weights.
My Omark with a mab barrel fitted to it likes 50gr a Ruger M77 in 223 like s 55g and the Tikka in 223 loves anything over 69gr I spent weeks at the range just testing 223 and loads x gr with a mix up of all of the final shots the differences was blowing out to 3 inch where before had been clover leafing all with the weights they seemed to like
You need to find out what works in you rifle I real thought the omark was going to like 55 gr + but nope with any of them you are after known repeat ability
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Re: 223 55gr & 70gr projectiles

Post by happyhunter » 08 Oct 2016, 6:50 pm

The type of construction is what matters. There are 50 and 55 grain .224 cal bullets designed for medium game.

You probably wouldn't use 55 grain Vmax projectiles for goats although you might get away with it with the right shot placement. You'd have no problems using 50 grain or 55 grain soft points with a heavier jacket due to the slower expansion and deeper penetration.

I never bought into the fast twist/ heavier projectiles hype as it's more a target shooting application for people shooting .224 cal at relatively long distance hoping to reduce wind drift, the effect of the velocity heavy bullets retain past 500 meters. Great for target shooters, no real benefit for the hunter.
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Re: 223 55gr & 70gr projectiles

Post by bladeracer » 08 Oct 2016, 8:05 pm

Gwion wrote:You can actually get 80 & 90gn 224 that will run in a 1:7. More for target though. Just saying.



Will 90gn stabilse in 7" twist barrels?
Sierra lists 6.5" or tighter for their 90gn Matchking.
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Re: 223 55gr & 70gr projectiles

Post by Oldbloke » 08 Oct 2016, 9:44 pm

Gwion wrote:You can actually get 80 & 90gn 224 that will run in a 1:7. More for target though. Just saying.


OK G,
I wa operating from ADI load data.
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Re: 223 55gr & 70gr projectiles

Post by Gwion » 09 Oct 2016, 10:59 am

bladeracer wrote:
Gwion wrote:You can actually get 80 & 90gn 224 that will run in a 1:7. More for target though. Just saying.



Will 90gn stabilse in 7" twist barrels?
Sierra lists 6.5" or tighter for their 90gn Matchking.


Thought it was 7" but you could well be right.
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Re: 223 55gr & 70gr projectiles

Post by Gwion » 09 Oct 2016, 11:06 am

Just had a quick look. Apparently some 90s shoot OK in some 1:7 barrels. Depends on what sort of velocities you can develop so barrel length is a factor. Apparently a 1:6.5 allows you to use a shorter barrel or not have to try to push the bullet as fast.
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Re: 223 55gr & 70gr projectiles

Post by Oldbloke » 09 Oct 2016, 11:31 am

Gwion wrote:Just had a quick look. Apparently some 90s shoot OK in some 1:7 barrels. Depends on what sort of velocities you can develop so barrel length is a factor. Apparently a 1:6.5 allows you to use a shorter barrel or not have to try to push the bullet as fast.



My barrel is 1:9 22". But I'm more thinking about whether there is a significant advantage in moving from 55gr to say 70gr to fill the gap for small pigs or goats or just stick with the 55gr. It might save carrying an additional rifle when I go away for an extended trip. I currently load 55gr and they are very popular and when I bought the 223 the reason was to get into fox whistling.

The 222 was used with success in NZ for Red deer! The heaviest projectile ADI lists for the 222 is 63gr
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Re: 223 55gr & 70gr projectiles

Post by Gwion » 09 Oct 2016, 11:36 am

As long as it is an appropriate bullet for hub, I can't see how it would hurt to have a 70gn load for smaller medium game.
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Re: 223 55gr & 70gr projectiles

Post by bladeracer » 09 Oct 2016, 12:22 pm

Oldbloke wrote:
Gwion wrote:Just had a quick look. Apparently some 90s shoot OK in some 1:7 barrels. Depends on what sort of velocities you can develop so barrel length is a factor. Apparently a 1:6.5 allows you to use a shorter barrel or not have to try to push the bullet as fast.



My barrel is 1:9 22". But I'm more thinking about whether there is a significant advantage in moving from 55gr to say 70gr to fill the gap for small pigs or goats or just stick with the 55gr. It might save carrying an additional rifle when I go away for an extended trip. I currently load 55gr and they are very popular and when I bought the 223 the reason was to get into fox whistling.

The 222 was used with success in NZ for Red deer! The heaviest projectile ADI lists for the 222 is 63gr



I would take ADI's bullet weights with a large grain of salt.
.222 is usually 14" twist so I'd be very surprised if 63gn bullets stabilise, although it's possible they might if you can push them fast enough. I generally used 40-52gn in my 788, but I vaguely recall trying some 53gn match bullets and some 55gn FMJ's many years ago.

ADI also lists the 50gn Berger in .204 Ruger with a 12" twist but I've never heard of anybody getting them to stabilise in a 12" barrel. So I wrote and asked ADI and they assured me their data is correct - I still don't believe it though. Berger lists a 10" twist as minimum for their _40gn_ bullet! They discontinued the 50gn pretty quickly but I have no idea why, and I've never found any for sale.
I've ordered some Berger 55gn .204's to do some experimenting with though. I don't expect them to work in my 12" barrel at all, but I want to shorten them in the lathe and see how short they need to be to stabilise in a 12" twist. I've also got some Hornady 45gn .204's coming to try as well. I'm actually hoping they're not too impressive as I've only ever found them once and probably won't be able to get any more.

As for carrying two rifles, that's why I develop at east two loads in every caliber, one for light work and one for closer/heavier stuff. Zero the long-range load but know your windage and elevation hold for the close range load.
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Re: 223 55gr & 70gr projectiles

Post by happyhunter » 09 Oct 2016, 6:41 pm

ADI Load data is *just* load data. It's a guide to remaining within safe chamber pressures. Whether the projectile is stabilized is not within the scope of a powder makers data.

If you wan't twist rate recommendation see the bullet makers data and recommendations.

The 222 was used with success in NZ for Red deer! The heaviest projectile ADI lists for the 222 is 63gr


yeah, they were pro cullers placing neck and head shots. I use 55 grain vmax in my 222 rem and they group nice. With the 1:14" twist it's at it's limit. The 63 gr bullets in the ADI manual are matchkings you'd need a fast twist custom barrel to shoot them.
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Re: 223 55gr & 70gr projectiles

Post by Fujix » 13 Oct 2016, 12:27 pm

Oldbloke wrote:The 223 can be loaded with projectiles from 35 gr to 70gr. So the 55gr projectiles seem to be the most popular for the 223 and it apears its the allround compromise weight for the 223.
But you can use upto 70gr projctiles in fast twist barrels.


More even, 90gr.

Requires 1:6 twist I think.
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Re: 223 55gr & 70gr projectiles

Post by Oldbloke » 13 Oct 2016, 1:24 pm

So mine is 1/9
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Re: 223 55gr & 70gr projectiles

Post by Tonit » 27 Oct 2016, 2:43 pm

1:6 must be a custom build right?

Don't think I've seen a factory rifle that fast.
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Re: 223 55gr & 70gr projectiles

Post by Oldbloke » 27 Oct 2016, 4:55 pm

Mmmmmm, you might be right. 8,9 & 12 are as I understand it all fairly common.
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Re: 223 55gr & 70gr projectiles

Post by 1holerdownunder » 15 Aug 2022, 6:06 pm

Hi all. Just joined up.
I have built a 223 remington in a 7 twist 28 inch barrel. I am currently shooting the 88gr Eld-m at 2820 fps muzzle velocity. The progectiles stabilse well.
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Re: 223 55gr & 70gr projectiles

Post by bladeracer » 16 Aug 2022, 6:45 am

1holerdownunder wrote:Hi all. Just joined up.
I have built a 223 remington in a 7 twist 28 inch barrel. I am currently shooting the 88gr Eld-m at 2820 fps muzzle velocity. The progectiles stabilse well.


Nice to know. I have some 88gn ELDM's to try in my 8" twist.
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Re: 223 55gr & 70gr projectiles

Post by in2anity » 16 Aug 2022, 8:40 am

1holerdownunder wrote:Hi all. Just joined up.
I have built a 223 remington in a 7 twist 28 inch barrel. I am currently shooting the 88gr Eld-m at 2820 fps muzzle velocity. The progectiles stabilse well.


You are obviously chasing small groups. While the Hornady lineup do ok, they are not commonly used for long range competition. Nevertheless, that's probably not useful information considering you've likely already purchased your boolits! Therefore I can strongly recommend sorting them base-to-ogive, using the relevant comparator gauge on your calis, then shoot them in order... that will bring your groups in.

Be sure to give the Bergers, at the very least Sierras, a chance down the track - you might just land yourself a better score!
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Re: 223 55gr & 70gr projectiles

Post by animalpest » 16 Aug 2022, 9:56 pm

Currently shooting some donkeys with a .222. Bullet placement beats horsepower every time.

A decent built 55gr out of a .223 works fine on goats if you hit them right.
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