.223 Rem AR accuracy at 300-500 yards?

[wahoowad]

My Ruger MPR has an 18” barrel and has shot just over MOA like 1.125” using non-precision Hornady Steel Match 55 gr. hollowpoints. This ammo has shot MOA in my 223 bolt gun, although bolt gun has a 22” barrel. My intent is to try some factory varmint ammo in the Ruger and expect it will shoot a little better. I have some Hornady 53 gr. Superperformance which has shot great in another gun. The Ruger has a 1/8” twist so wondering if a heavier bullet might shoot better out of this 18” barrel?

 

[jelenko]

Probably not.
The place where twist impacts accuracy [in the 1 MOA range] is when the bullet is too long/heavy for the twist and doesn't stabilize.
That said, the load will probably shoot differently in the AR than in the bolt gun - could be better, could be worse, could be the same.

Also, shooting at 300-500 I'd want a bullet with better BC's so they are less affected by the wind.

 

[GetReal]

Best I *ever* got with a fully custom 223 Wylde with 77 gr handloads was 0.75 moa in a 1:7.

Its why I dumped 223 and switched to 6 ARC and Im never going back.

 

[GetReal]

To your question, in my opinion, and experience, 1:8 twist matches better with 68 - 77 grain.

But to really maximize accuracy, yer gonna want handloads not factory ammo.

 

[Sniper338]

I ditched 223 a long time ago. I could never get that round to an exceptable standard for me... I am VERY picky though. I tinker until im tinkered out.

First thing is first though. Your shooting a factory AR platform. You will never get "stupid accuracy" out of a factory AR. Sub 1 inch groups at 100 yards should be possible with anything "decent" though.

I've built a full blown custom AR.. cost as much as a bolt gun to build. Custom kreiger cut rifle barrel, billet upper/lower, high end everything. Shims in places to take any and all wobble out, bedded barrel extension, you name it.. This AR will shoot...

Don't over expect on a factory rifle... be surprised if they do, but dont expect stupid accuracy.

There's better rounds than 223 for accuracy.. get ya there way faster too.

 

[butchlambert]

You will need to start over with a great custom rifle and a much better scope and custom reloads.

 

[jds holler]

I've got the cheapest AR anybody ever sold I think, (Anderson Arms) but I'm kinda cheap myself. I got my loads down to an inch at 100, so I've got to assume I'm not getting much better than 4" at 300. (55 gr. Hornadys) That being said I'm still whacking squirrels with it that far, and maybe further, but it's sure not an "every shot" thing.
Any further than that, and the squirrels are too danged small, and my glass ain't good enough.

I do want to try it with some 70's at some distance, and I bet it won't too bad.

 

[round]

Try some match ammo in rhe 62-69gr at 300yds.

 

[jds holler]

I'm kinda bummed -- a few years back I had several .224 heavies of various brands. Some of em pretty spendy, that I traded off for zip, because I didn't own a barrel faster than 1-14.
Now I've got this AR with a 1-8, and no bullets to take advantage of it.
Now Ima have to spend some of my US dollars to try out the same stuff I gave away.

 

[wahoowad]

You will need to start over with a great custom rifle and a much better scope and custom reloads.

I would need a custom rifle to achieve what exactly?

 

[JSH]

I have/had a couple of good bolt guns in 223. Friend of mine picked up Badrock in 223. We went prairie dog hunting and gave it a work out. I ordered one before we left to come home. Some of the best money I have spent in a long time.

Uh, my DPMS varmint sits in the back of the safe. One of the most accurate AR’s I have shot. Won’t hold a candle to an equal priced bolt gun. It does not go dog hunting any more, it allows me to miss faster so to speak.

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

69 gr SMK's & TMK's Up to the 75 gr Horn BTHP Match or, 77 gr TMK's in the 1-8 Twist Barrels, ARE working real Well for most shooters at, the Longer Ranges !

 

[Syncrowave]

to really maximize accuracy, yer gonna want handloads not factory ammo.

x100

 

[Turkeytider]

x100

To your question, in my opinion, and experience, 1:8 twist matches better with 68 - 77 grain.

But to really maximize accuracy, wyer gonna want handloads not factory ammo.

Could not agree more and I don’t hand load. I’m convicted in the belief that one will never REALLY know a rifle’s true accuracy and precision capability unless one tailors a hand load for that gun/ barrel. Having said that, I shoot factory loads primarily with 69 and 77 grain SMKs. Both of my .223 range rifles are 7 twist.

 

[jds holler]

I’m convicted in the belief that one will never REALLY know a rifle’s true accuracy and precision capability unless one tailors a hand load for that gun/ barrel.

Yeah buddy. I'm to the point where I have a hard time believing talk of sub MOA accuracy with ANY factory loads. I just don't think it happens that much. jd

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Looks like polymer coated steel cases, has to be something better in regular brass cases.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

That MPR is a decent rifle, loose the deafening fireball muzzle brake.

 

[Bottom Fodder]

I would think you would get better result with reloads matched to your gun than a custom gun with factory ammo.

 

[Syncrowave]

I was bowled over when I first got into SR competition, just how accurate/precise many AR-15s can be. At that point, I'd been shooting a family-owned Colt Sporter for years, and I just didn't think precision beyond "pie plate at 100 yards" was in the wood.

Then I assembled a rifle from good components -- Geissele Hi-Speed SR 2-stage trigger, Rock River Arms NM upper with floating barrel, etc -- and worked up some handloads and holy cow. 1-1.5 MOA all day long prone with a sling, and I'm not that good a shooter, so who knows what it'd do with a machine rest or High Master?
Happy Days!

If you're looking for decent factory ammo, I've had good luck with Wolf Gold...reasonably priced with brass case and Boxer primed, so you can save and use the cases when you get into handloading.

 

[mic2377]

Some factory AR's shoot pretty well. You have enough barrel twist to shoot 75 gr bullets.

Get some MK262 or AAC 75 gr factory ammo and see what it will do. Reloads could do better but this will give you an idea if the barrel is a good shooter or not. Ruger barrels tend to be decent.

I have shot my 18" 1/8 twist AR to 600+ yards with outstanding results.