223 FTR Bullets
- Thread starter Slowrunning
- Start date
Jdne5b
Gold $$ Contributor
No bullet weight limit for US FTR rules. We can use the Sierra 95gr.
CharlieNC
Gold $$ Contributor
The 85.5 looks great on paper stats, but from my personal experience and other shooters it is the least likely to succeed vs other bullets.
urbanrifleman
Site $$ Sponsor
Why do you say that? I've had customer after customer send me targets shooting that bullet and it seems like it's a total winner and easy to tune.
dcali
Bullet Maker
Listen to Ned. He knows what he's talking about. I've had good luck with Berger 90s, and wouldn't want to shoot anything lighter personally (unless I had to).
But the most important thing is that the rifle really needs to be set up specifically to shoot those 90+ grain bullets - (the proper freebore is critical) and push the brass at least fairly hard.
If you half ass it, you lose a lot of steam pretty quickly.
But the most important thing is that the rifle really needs to be set up specifically to shoot those 90+ grain bullets - (the proper freebore is critical) and push the brass at least fairly hard.
If you half ass it, you lose a lot of steam pretty quickly.
Slowrunning
Silver $$ Contributor
Have you used the 75 eld?
USMCDOC
Silver $$ Contributor
i did and didn't the same results.. it kinda sucked
Slowrunning
Silver $$ Contributor
Seems to be the amax to eld trend. I used to shoot the 168 amax with good results, 168 eld not so much. Had to switch to smk's.
USMCDOC
Silver $$ Contributor
well the other bullet i used to great success was the berger 90vld's Wylde chamber running 25.0 grs of RL15 and then i changed to 2000MR and was using 27.2 grs with a moly'd bullet.
Ned Ludd
Silver $$ Contributor
FWIW - in my hands, the 75 ELDM is an outstanding bullet in an F-TR practice rifle (26" 5R barrel, 7-twist, 75 ELDMs @ .020" off the lands). In fact, I am shocked at how well they shoot with only minor load development. I've have also used the Berger 80.5 Fullbore bullet in the same rifle. Although the 80.5s shoot well, the 75 ELDMs shoot with equally good (or better) precision, they can be pushed faster, and have a slightly higher BC.
(Note: circles are 3", which is slightly under 1 MOA at 318 yd)
Even though I am very impressed with the performance of the 75 ELDM, I would not typically choose to use a 75 to 80 gr bullet in a 600 yd F-TR match. I used to use the 80.5s in a 300 yd monthly match, and I would certainly have used the 75 ELDMs had they been available at that time. I did reasonably well with the 80.5s at 300 yd, and I'm certain the 75s would have work very well also. Nonetheless, I would choose either the 88 ELDM, 90 VLD, or 95 SMK for 600 yd midrange F-TR matches. Why? Because anyone using a .223 Rem in F-TR is going to be competing against shooters using .308 Win with heavy, high BC bullets. The 88s/90s/95s can hold their own against .308s at 600 yd, even in fairly windy conditions. The 80-ish gr (or less) bullets...not so much. It's possible the 80 ELDM might be a good choice for 600 yd. It has a very high BC for its weight, much higher in fact than most other 80 gr .224" bullets. Its BC is almost as high as the Berger 85.5 Hybrid, and you could likely push the lighter 80 ELDM noticeably faster. However, I have never tried the 80 ELDMs and so I can't personally state with any certainty that they shoot as well or tune in as easily as the 75 ELDM.
Last edited:
I was shooting steel at the time when the ELD's came out and
they were a disappointment. On the other side of the coin, I
tested the Sierra 77's at that time with the Amax's in an 8 twist
Krieger. They shot every bit as good.
CharlieNC
Gold $$ Contributor
I say that because it is my personal experience and at least half my fellow shooters who tried them. Yes it performs well for some.
I shoot 85.5s in a 26" Bartlien 5R 7.5 twist because thats what I have, they shoot great. 90s are stable too. 88s don't keyhole but the groups open up. My next barrel will be a straight 7 twist. Lots of Varget just kissing the lands. I'm pretty sure it has the .169 freebore (bought it already put together from someone).
Attachments
Last edited:
To all so far involved with this discussion. Thanks so very greatly!
I have been shooting a 223 in an informal Bench League at range lengths of 100/200/300yds and compete against some very good 6mm shooters. I too was going to migrate to the 6mm but a life change happened and will once again be shooting the 223. In all fairness of 20 members I am the only one shooting 223.
This has been very informative and given me much to think about and as we are limited to a max of 300yds it might be a fair choice to stand pat! Though I have pondered a barrel change from a 1:9 twist to a Shilen 4 groove 1:7.5 to shoot 80gr bullets.
I have been shooting a 223 in an informal Bench League at range lengths of 100/200/300yds and compete against some very good 6mm shooters. I too was going to migrate to the 6mm but a life change happened and will once again be shooting the 223. In all fairness of 20 members I am the only one shooting 223.
This has been very informative and given me much to think about and as we are limited to a max of 300yds it might be a fair choice to stand pat! Though I have pondered a barrel change from a 1:9 twist to a Shilen 4 groove 1:7.5 to shoot 80gr bullets.
I'll be honest with you since your range is limited to 300 yard and
you'll be shooting closer....."Don't chase them long bullets", and if
that 9 Twist barrel has life left in it, switch your thinking to just the
opposite and go to a 55 gr bullet. I have a Hart 10 twist barrel that
is for the 52/55 gr bullets. Less torque, and speed is your friend.
In those ranges, you'll see that the bench rest guy's using them
lighter bullets at your distances, and winning over the 6's and 30's !!!
1911mag
Gold $$ Contributor
My wife shoots 85.5’s and super easy to tune, much easier than 90vld which i also use. If I had a choice for 600 I will use 85.5’s over 90’s. I can make a bad call on wind before I see a difference.
She did this at MO state!just this weekend.
Attachments
CharlieNC
Gold $$ Contributor
Wish they had worked for me too. I've had success with 80, 80.5, and 90. That's why they make an array of bullets.
Thank you. By mistake I think I just found this out for myself. Last winter I was shooting 69gr bullets and was just to the point of having to restock so while looking though my on hand I came across a box of Hornady 60gr VMAX that I never opened. So I did load some with 3 different powders and shot short ladders. I now believe I have been shooting the wrong bullet all along.
ronsatspokane
Gold $$ Contributor
I had a used Savage BVSS with a 1-9 twist that had cleaned F Class targets with using 73 grain Bergers. I thought I needed a 1-7 so I could toss 90's and get more clean targets. I traded the BVSS for a 1-7 twist rifle. Took me a year to get it shooting as good as that Savage. That was a waste of time and money. Now I've stepped back to a CZ 527 in 223 with a 1-9 and I toss 69 grain bullets out of it whenever I shoot FTR. Have just as much fun with that as I did with the other rifles.
Upgrades & Donations
This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.