.223 Bullet Help

[mjl650]

I have a Rem 700 with a 23" 5r 1 in 9 barrel with a looooong free bore. Example... 69gr SMKs seated out as far as I'm comfortable with are .112" off the lands. My question is if I go with a longer bullet ie 75 to 80gr(equalling seating closer to the lands) will the 1 in 9 barrel be able to stabilize these? Anyone out there do well with heavier bullets in 1 in 9 barrels? I single feed so mag length is not a problem.

 

[Mark M.]

I know Sierra Recommends 8 twist with their 77 grain, looks like your on the edge

 

[Rsadams]

Anything is worth testing but normally in 1/9 69gr are about as heavy as you can get.... I would stay with the Sierra matchkings because they don't mind a jump....

 

[dolek]

I can shoot 77 Tipped Matchkings with Varget and H4895 in a 1/9 Remington 700 with 20" barrel. They are loaded at AR mag length . You never know till you try.

 

[B23]

My dad shoots 75gr Berger's in his 22-6mm with a 24in 9tw and they group very well. A 9tw with those mid 70's bullets very well may shoot/group fine for you, but the BC of the bullet will be reduced. Higher velocity helps a tiny bit, not as much as higher elevation, but neither is a good substitute for the proper twist.

 

[joshb]

I have the same gun. Long freebore. I shoot the 69 SMK and am very happy letting them jump. In my experience, the Sierras like to jump. They shoot better in my customs backed off the lands. What kind of groups are you getting?
I put this gun away years ago when I got into customs. I just recently pulled it out and put a new scope on it. I have a bunch of 77 Sierra’s. When I get her shooting again, I’ll let you know.

 

[std7mag]

I've typically heard that a 1:9 will stabilize up to 73gr bullets.

Some are saying that a heavier Berger does stabilize due to a shorter bearing surface.

I'm shooting 69gr TMK out of a 24" barrel 1:9 at slingthy longer than SAAMI measurements with good results to 300 yards thus far.
I bought some 70gr Nosler RDF that i need to develop loads for.

I'm thinking of doing a 600 yard match in May. April is spotty at best with weather in PA.

 

[rsmithsr50]

with a 23" 9 twist I would try 75 match and 75 amax,
you get more velocity with that bbl so you can go a little longer

 

[mjl650]

Thanks all for your input. I placed an order for bullets for my 6.5 and I added a 50 box of the 77gr SMKs. I should be able to find out if they group well or not, if they don't do well I'll take a step down and try again.

@joshb having put just over a hundred rounds down the barrel I'm averaging .45moa groups with 24.5gr of W748 in Lapua brass. This is a used rifle and this was what was recommended by previous owner.

 

[Baddog0302]

My Savage 223 Bbl. w/ 1-9 shoots both 77's out to 300 yds with no problems.
Like others have said, give them a try. My best results were with N-135 & 140. also with 23.5 of I 4064, since you can seat the bullets out past Mag. length.

 

[joshb]

Thanks all for your input. I placed an order for bullets for my 6.5 and I added a 50 box of the 77gr SMKs. I should be able to find out if they group well or not, if they don't do well I'll take a step down and try again.

@joshb having put just over a hundred rounds down the barrel I'm averaging .45moa groups with 24.5gr of W748 in Lapua brass. This is a used rifle and this was what was recommended by previous owner.

I’ll dig thru my books and see what my “best load” was for mine. My memory says mine shot about the same as yours.

 

[stacy]

68GR HORNADY MATCH AND 75GR HORNADY MATCH WILL SERVE YOU WELL WITH THE 9 TWIST WITH H-4895 AND VARGET OR ALEAST IT HAS DONE WELL IN MY RIFLE

 

[natdscott]

I’ve jumped 77 SMKs nearly 1/4” and shot 1/2 minute groups at 300. Like..10 rd groups.

Issue is: I have a Bartlein with a 0.2245” freebore. You do not.

I will be surprised if it works, since you aren’t exactly in Colorado, but who knows...

 

[grovey]

Try some 73gr Bergers.

 

[Zero333]

Hornady 75 bthp and sierra 77 smk work nicely in my R-700 with 9" twist 20"bbl.

But my R700 223rem has pretty short freebore. With the 69 smk I'm at the land at 2.300" COAL.

 

[std7mag]

With the heavier bullets, i've been getting good results with Alliant PP2000.
Might want to give it a try.
It also works very well in 7mm-08.

 

[ebb]

What Groovy said. 24.5 is a max load of 748 in many books, but back when I started loading it my mentor showed me several older books that when to 25.5 as max. Work up a little BUT WATCH FOR PRESSURE. You will like the 73 GRN Berger.

 

[mjl650]

What Groovy said. 24.5 is a max load of 748 in many books, but back when I started loading it my mentor showed me several older books that when to 25.5 as max. Work up a little BUT WATCH FOR PRESSURE. You will like the 73 GRN Berger.

If the Sierra 77gr don't work out I'll give the 73gr Bergers a try. Thanks

 

[searcher]

I have a Remington 700 with a factory 1-12" barrel that puts the Berger 73's in a very nice cluster.

 

[ebb]

I saw one of the members here shooting a 223 a few months back while at the PBSO range. He was shooting groups that looked like the were out of a benchrest rifle. I don't know what his load was but the shooter is Teele1. I was very impressed, but I have always known he was an excellent reloader.