223/223AI & Sierra 95

[chrisj]

Does anyone have any experience with this combination? No problem getting over 2800 FPS with the 90 grain bullet and around 3,000 with the 80 grain so wondering what is doable with the new 95 grain bullet.

Thanks,
Chris

 

[paperpuncher]

I get 2750 with the 95s in my 223 rifle My brass is at 4 firings and pockets still holding up well

 

[Jdne5b]

If you have a long enough throat, 2750 is definitely possible. Im on my second barrel running them that speed.

 

[DukeDuke]

what twist do you guys have?

 

[Ned Ludd]

I'm also getting about 2750 fps (30" barrel, 6.8-twist). You need a very long freebore to seat the SMK 95s (or Hornady 88 ELDMs) properly as Jdne5b mentioned, ideally in the 0.250" to 0.300" range. If the freebore is significantly shorter than that, the velocities you can reasonably achieve velocity will go down as working pressures increase, due to decreasing effective case volume by seating bullets well below the case neck/shoulder.

 

[paperpuncher]

what twist do you guys have?

Im running a 6.75 twist 4 groove Brux. It took me a little bit but I feel like im starting to get this combo to shoot pretty well. I used the ISSF reamer and then extended the throat another .050". My rifle likes about .015-.020 jump

 

[DukeDuke]

thank you!

 

[Boisblancboy]

I'm also getting about 2750 fps (30" barrel, 6.8-twist). You need a very long freebore to seat the SMK 95s (or Hornady 88 ELDMs) properly as Jdne5b mentioned, ideally in the 0.250" to 0.300" range. If the freebore is significantly shorter than that, the velocities you can reasonably achieve velocity will go down as working pressures increase, due to decreasing effective case volume by seating bullets well below the case neck/shoulder.

Have you done any more recent testing with the 95’s yet?

 

[Ned Ludd]

Have you done any more recent testing with the 95’s yet?

I had them out yesterday for a little tuning, as a matter of fact. I'm trying to dial that load back in from virgin to fire-formed brass, and from 40-50 degree temps to 80-90 degree temps. This largely involves reducing the charge weight until I get back to the velocity I originally had, but checking/confirming the optimal seating depth is something I also always do whenever I tweak a load. So far, they are shooting rather well, IMO. As stated earlier, velocity is about 2750 fps, and they seem to like to be seated around .024" (or more) off the lands.

The consideration with the 95s in a .223 Rem is that you need a very long freebore, and even then you still can't realistically obtain the velocities possible with a lighter 90 gr bullet. Because the BCs are pretty close, that means by definition you'll be giving up some performance with the 95s by giving up 100 fps velocity. Nonetheless, the difference is estimated to be only in the neighborhood of about 1" in windage at 600 yd, which is relatively small, and may be more than compensated by good consistency.

 

[Jdne5b]

snip....

Nonetheless, the difference is estimated to be only in the neighborhood of about 1" in windage at 600 yd, which is relatively small, and may be more than compensated by good consistency.

And by making it to the target.

 

[Ned Ludd]

And by making it to the target.

Whatchou talkin bout, Willis?