Home Forums Reloading Varmint Rifles 8" twist 223 is not accurate with heavy bullets

Takes a goodly sized motor,to whoop the 223AI/75-A-Max's ass at 3100fps,via 21" tube.

BT/DT and I've largely got 'em all,to compare/contrast............................

Who wants a varmint rifle only pushing 3k?

Whattya gonna shoot,to whip it's ass?

How many 75A-Max you seen impact Vermin,at what velocity and to what distance?

Nice not having to speculate.........................(grin)

JMHO, but I put no faith in 100 yard groups, let the long range targets tell you what bullets are working. Some of my 200,300 yard groups are just about equal, 400s and 500s really speak. Dial out the paralax, consider the 63gr Sierra, no equal in trajectory but accuracy seems dependable, in short boxed guns. Let us know, Bill

My Ar15, 1-9, loves the 69 Sierra Match Kings, I use 4895 powder, and with open sights, and my 61 year old eyes, I can hold an inch at 100 yds, and get 20 scoring in the black hits at 500yds during our DCM shoots. Pretty good performance!

As to these 75 grain 224 bullets flying down range, all one needs to do is pick ANY larger cartridge case, fill it with more powder, have an equal barrel length, with the proper twist, and Viola! the 223 AI's ass has been wipped, LOL!!!

Jerry

29MOA to 1000yds,from a 100yd zero,via 26grs of powder in a 21" tube,is pretty skookum in my book.

Weigh logistics,component costs,barrel life and total absence of recoil and it's tough to whoop up on.

My 22CHeetah don't impress me in nearly the same manner.......................

I took a big woodchuck facing away, just over the hips at an honest 500+ a little lasered yards tonight with the 223 WSSM and a 75 gr. A-Max. Should of been clocking right around 2300 at that range. Love seeing them drop and then hearing the whomp a few seconds later. To my surprise the bullet did not exit. I found the entrance hole and slit it open in hopes of maybe finding some bullet pieces. Atlas the inerds looked like they had been put in a blender and then reinstalled. Wasn't gonna finger through that stink'in mess.

Will try the 80A-Max on venison this year,as a curiousity.

Reports are,that they sport a heavier jacket,than the 75's.

Will know soonly......................

that bone is real heavy between the eyes <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

woofer

Always preferred a shot alongside the noggin',as opposed to head on,though I've done lotsa both...................

How about the 224 Clark?
Thats a smoker with 80 grn bullet at 3500 fps.
It reaches out and tuches em.
BGRS

At that level of case capacity,6mm's start makin' a buncha sense to me.

I love my 223AI's,far more than any of my 243AI's or the 6AI..........................

The .224 Clark is impressive but look at cases, barrel life and to many variables to get an extra 400fps.

The .223AI with the 75 Amax is extremely impressive. The jump in terminal performance from a 50gr vax to the 75 has to be seen to be believed, especially once stuff gets above the 30-40 pound size. For squirrels I love the 40 Vax at about 3800fps but past that the 75 gets the nod.

I've a CHeetah that sets on the sidelines,riding the bench,while a 223AI gets the ball on nearly every play...................

As you obviously know, 70 grainers (69 grains) would seem to work well in a 1 in 8 twist. Might be how the round is seated or the load. I would try some 69 grainers from Black Hills or some other 'factory load'. Just to test out the theory here. But right now as you have found out---it makes no sense that these 70 grainers would be big grouping at 100 yards.

However, my personal feeling is 55-62 grains is the ideal 223 weight and if you want a heavier bullet..............................

Go to the 243! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> ;

Mine shoots 80 grain bullets like a laser beam.

(My 223 shoots like a laser as well as long as I shoot 62 grains or less)

"Laser" is relative.

I quantify it by sight correction requirements,at a given distance.

The .435BC .224" 75A-Max via 223AI @ 3100fps,can smoke more than a few 243Win loads to 1K.........................

don't forget to add that the .223rem and .223AI has other merits ... like less powder to burn, longer barrel life, less report, less recoil, etc ... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

since I've owned a .223, I can't believe it took me so long to get to owning one ... it's by far the most fun rifle I have, and the one I shoot the most ... I can only imagine that the "improved" version is that much mo' betta' ... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I've been shooting the 80 AMAX for my LR loads this year. V140 and 540 in my AR match rifle. Can't for sure say they are better than 80 SMK, but they seem to require a bit less comeup at 600 and they shoot great.

I would think that were they would beat the SMK is if vermin were on the other end. Can't say the extra .02 BC is going to compensate for the extra 100 fps or so lost compared to the 75 gr. V-Max.
Regardless I have a box on tap once my current run of 75's is used up.

Am very curious to see how the 80'max slap [bleep].....................