Can you be competitive at 300 yards with 80gr 223?

[APGE]

If putting together a 223 ftr rig specifically for 300 yards (perhaps with the odd 500 and 600 match thrown in on calm days), do you need to shoot 90gr projectiles to be competitive?

80gr class are much easier to come by where I am and are also a lot more affordable. I'm currently shooting 200s and 210s and think a 223 might get me a few more x's at short range

 

[Rocketvapor]

Go to the JBM calculator.
See what the difference is for your expected velocities.
300 probably will show almost zip in windage, who cares about drop if you can dial up.
600 makes a little dif.
1000 a lot more.

Use the calculator.

 

[Grimstod]

I have seen them win.
At varmint competitions for score.

 

[APGE]

Go to the JBM calculator.
See what the difference is for your expected velocities.
300 probably will show almost zip in windage, who cares about drop if you can dial up.
600 makes a little dif.
1000 a lot more.

Use the calculator.

I've run just about every scenario known to man in the Applied Ballistics app since it came out. I was hoping someone with some real world experience could share their insight

 

[Rocketvapor]

@600 F-Open with a 22 Nosler I get 3070 with 80gr ELD's, 2920 with 88 ELD's.
I like the 88's for 600 just for a little wind gain.
Do they do better? I would have to shoot a blind mix to tell at one match.

 

[sawcarver]

80.5 bergers will hang right in with a 308 and be competitive for what youre looking to do. Even at 600 they do pretty darn good

 

[1911mag]

I assume 300 in F Class of what type of competition your referring too.
At 300 should be a .25MOA easy when load and conditions are good.
80VLD, 90VLD Berger's can compete yes too 600 yds. I use the all the time. Can't speak for 85.5 yet but will later this year. I suggest the ISSF reamer so you cam run all the heavies (except Sierra 95 which will require more free bore).

 

[ballisticxlr]

Ballistically, the difference at 300 is trivial. Might even be better in the wind since you can push them marginally faster and the effects of BC don't really show up till farther out. Personally, I'd probably go to 70 grain bergers and push the bejeezus out of them. I'm almost certainly in the minority but for short range like that I'm a fan of light and fast. Push things out to 600 and I'll switch over to slow and heavy.

 

[CharlieNC]

80.5 bergers will hang right in with a 308 and be competitive for what youre looking to do. Even at 600 they do pretty darn good

Yep, the 80.5 hybrid is the most accurate I have used at 300yd. But stepping out to 600yd the 90vld scored much better in the wind, although no as tight at 300. At 300 the 80.5 can easily win against anything, at least in Fclass.

 

[xswanted]

Absolutely you can.

80 grainers will stack at 300 yards just fine.

 

[Ned Ludd]

The difference in wind deflection between the 80.5s and 90 VLDs in typical F-TR loads for 30" barreled rifles at 300 yd is small, but not zero (~0.2 MOA or so). I have used both extensively in 300 yd matches and in my hands, the 90 VLD is better. That is not to say you can't win with the 80.5s, I have on numerous occasions. However, in the group I shot those matches with, if you dropped more than a couple points on the day, you probably were not going to win; the competition was very tough. I found with the 80.5s that you had to be that much better with your wind calls. One or two shots where the wind picked up right as you let one go could be enough to drop a couple points with the 80s, whereas the 90s might still stay inside the 10 ring.

In terms of setting up a rifle specifically for one bullet or the other, just be aware that you can load the 80.5s optimally in a rifle throated for the 90s. The reverse is not true. I might consider having the rifle chambered with Dave Kiff's (PTG) 0.169" freebore reamer. Although they're seated fairly long, the 80.5s can absolutely be loaded with that chamber, so it will give the option to use either bullet as you see fit. If you go with a chamber that has something like 0.100" to 0.120" freebore as might be considered more optimal for the 80.5s, the 90s will be seated well below the neck/shoulder, which creates the potential for higher pressure and very poor brass life.

 

[dskogman]

Yes! The Bayou Rifles 300 yd range record is held by HighPower with a 223 FTR and 80’s - 600x55X. The open record is 600x54X. The same rifle was used by his children to set a couple of national records.

 

[Steve Ladino]

Wind flags and mirage can definitely be your friend at 300 with the .223.
Don't discount the Tipped SMK 77's if sorted.

 

[natdscott]

So I’m just a sling guy, but I have shot aome decent enough scores and groups to begin to get a sense of the accuracy potential of 77-90 grainers at 300. Even in decent wind, the lowly 77 SMK is pretty formidable with a good load.

I have shot at least one score that was good enough to 10X the F-class target. Our X-ring is twice your size, but I had 8 of them in the lower right 1/4 of it.

That’s with a 77 SMK jumping almost 1/4” in a Long Range chambered AR.

For an F’er, I’d set up for the 80 Sierra loaded at 2.500” or a little longer, Lapua skimmed to 0.0120”, 0.252” Neck, SAMMI-minimum headspacing. I’d load it with a CCI BR primer behind my favorite Reloder or VV powder. I’d size my brass for 0.002” tension or maybe 0.001”. I’d lightly, lightly crimp the neck with a Lee Factory (the Horror!!)...0.001” or less.

 

[USMCDOC]

If putting together a 223 ftr rig specifically for 300 yards (perhaps with the odd 500 and 600 match thrown in on calm days), do you need to shoot 90gr projectiles to be competitive?

80gr class are much easier to come by where I am and are also a lot more affordable. I'm currently shooting 200s and 210s and think a 223 might get me a few more x's at short range

i used the 75gr Amax.. so yeah.. you will be fine with the 80

 

[Liven The Dream]

Shot a lot of .223 at 200 ,300 & 600.
300 Reduces Target for 600 75gr, Hornady at .020 jump did best.

 

[GaryL1959]

I shoot with Charlie, 300 yard F-class matches, and he is a force to be reckoned with with those 80.5's. I've been shooting 69 SMK's in the same matches, limited by rifling twist, and while the 69's will hold their own on a windless day, anything beyond 2-3 mph will push them out.


P.S.: Good to see you on Charlie! Hope all is well, and hoping this crazy mess blows over before the Polk county matches start up.

 

[CharlieNC]

I shoot with Charlie, 300 yard F-class matches, and he is a force to be reckoned with with those 80.5's. I've been shooting 69 SMK's in the same matches, limited by rifling twist, and while the 69's will hold their own on a windless day, anything beyond 2-3 mph will push them out.

Doing well Gary, and hope you are. Ammo loaded waiting for a place to shoot; Charlotte and Butner are closed until further notice. For now my rifle is set up on the floor for dry fire practice.

P.S.: Good to see you on Charlie! Hope all is well, and hoping this crazy mess blows over before the Polk county matches start up.

 

[Longtrain]

80.5 Berger’s are my go to bullet for 300 FClass. You should run the numbers to know what that round will give you. Loading for the 223 is a bit more work to get a low SD and round to round consistency. IMO neck tension and even a primer change can make all the difference. With all that being said, once tuned to your rifle, it will be competitive, but reading the wind and consistent technique on your part on that little target is paramount to winning.