What’s your favorite 223 bullet for 600 yards

[Bottom Fodder]

Gota 1/7 twist 223 barrel on order
Going to order an assortment of bullets to test in the 77 to 80 range
Looking at 77 smk, 77 Tmk, 80 SMK
And 77 RDF anyone shooting these? thoughts?
Thanks

 

[linebaugh]

75, 80, 88eld's
80-85.5 bergers

 

[vegas]

I shoot 77 SMK and Nosler CC. Interested to hear about the RDF’s.

 

[XTR]

bolt gun or AR platform

In a bolt gun with the right chamber and a 30" barrel, Berger 90 VLD.

In a gas gun, pretty much any of the 80s will get the job done if you are single loading. If you are mag feeding the stick with the 77s.

 

[Ned Ludd]

The mighty 90 VLD. There is no substitute.

 

[watercam]

Unless one uses the Sierra 90s which I do! Love 'em out of my 7" twist Palma rifle.

 

[Bottom Fodder]

It’s a Bolt gun single feeder but 16” barrel (specialty pistol) I’m pretty sure I would struggle with anything heavier that 80. I talked to people with about the same set up as me that use the 77/80 SMK but don’t know anything about the RFD it’s numbers look good

 

[Twdmar]

for cmp/near high-power, I have often used the 80smk because tuning it easy. 77 matchkings work well too.

 

[Bottom Fodder]

for cmp/near high-power, I have often used the 80smk because tuning it easy. 77 matchkings work well too.

Thanks Twdmar
I’ve had good luck with 6mm SMK
The 223 is a new venue for me by any chance have you tried Tipped TMK I have heard mixed reviews on them

 

[Hohn]

So far, best luck with 80 ELD in my gas gun.

 

[Dgd6mm]

80 ELDM for now. If I get my hands on some 77 RDF's I'll be giving them a go.

 

[Twdmar]

Thanks Twdmar
I’ve had good luck with 6mm SMK
The 223 is a new venue for me by any chance have you tried Tipped TMK I have heard mixed reviews on them

I have tried the 69 and 60tmks but nothing bigger, the smaller ones shoot well at 2 and 300. The berger 73 shoots well at 600 if it's not windy. The nosler 77 cc works alright too.

 

[Bottom Fodder]

Ok I’ve ordered
77 RDF
77 SMK
77 TMK
80 SMK
80 NOSLER CC
Running some #’s
1. 77 RDF looks the best
2 80 SMK
3 80 CC
4 77 TMK
5 77 SMK
We will see what shoots the best

 

[Texas10]

You actually FOUND all those bullets in stock? I'm impressed!

 

[xswanted]

With a 7 twist I’d skip the 77s

shoot a 85.5 Berger an 88 ELD or the 90 VLD/SMK

 

[Twdmar]

With a 7 twist I’d skip the 77s

shoot a 85.5 Berger an 88 ELD or the 90 VLD/SMK

Its a 16 inch, I think those are likely too heavy to go very fast.

 

[bullseyeshtr]

80gr Berger VLDs and don't look back. One heck of a good shooting bullet.

 

[mac86951]

A 16 will still shoot heavy bullets, yes velocity is lower; but that's true with all bullets. I agree; a 1:7 16; certainly try the 80.5+gr.

If you want velocity too; you need to look at VLDs and other secant shapes for the highest BC per gr mass. Berger 70VLD for example. 69gr velocities 77gr BC.

A fall-back default is the 75-77gr bullets; they'll shoot 600 fine; read the wind! Barrels tend to like one more than another. Hornady, Nosler, Sierra, Berger. Regardless of barrel length; the 75-77 make up the velocity loss vs a 68-69 in all barrels right about 600y. What I mean to say is at 600y and closer, wind drift of the two classes if bullets are about even at 600y; the 75-77 having the edge farther out; and the 68-69 having the edge closer in. In practice, I rarely find a 68-69 to perform well past ~400y.

-Mac

 

[jelenko]

On the point about twist. The potential issue is for bullets to be spinning too fast.
The formula for bullet RPM is RPM = (muzzle velocity [in fps] X 720)/ Twist rate

In talking with Hornady and Sierra about their match grade 223 bullets, Hornady says to keep RPM under 280,000. Sierra said to keep it under 260,000.

In a 7 twist barrel, at 2700 fps, the bullet RPM is 278,000.

 

[Bottom Fodder]

All good points. I’ve talked to several short barrel shooters some have had success shooting the bullets over 80 grain but most have pulled their hair in frustration. Most all recommended starting with bullets in the 75-80 range. 75 to 80 is my starting point not necessarily my ending Point Personally I’m a fan of sierra bullets they serve me well in other 16 incher’s out to 1K, the ELD and RFD are interesting enough to try