223 85, 88 and 90 Grain

[urbanrifleman]

What velocity are you shooting?

 

[Jeff Porter]

While toasting cases in a gas gun with 8208 - I am in a sweet spot at 2850ish with the 88's to get to 1000 for LR sling shooting.

 

[urbanrifleman]

While toasting cases in a gas gun with 8208 - I am in a sweet spot at 2850ish with the 88's to get to 1000 for LR sling shooting.

2850 is toasting?

 

[SecondsCount]

2850 is toasting?

Could be. Depends on what barrel length.

He could be running an 18 or 20" barrel on a gas gun.

 

[Jdne5b]

It’s toasting no matter the barrel length. Even in a 30 inch barrel and super long freebore, brass won’t last much over 3 firings if that.

Depending on temps I’m 2750-2775 with 90vld, was 2800-2820 with 88, 2750 with 95, and never had a need to try 85s.

 

[Jeff Porter]

2850 is toasting?

Should have specified that is in a Wylde chamber. Had to add weight to the buffer. 24” with +2 gas system to get that without popping primers.

 

[urbanrifleman]

My freebore with the 88 is 230 thou.

 

[urbanrifleman]

Mine is shooting pretty mild at 2730ish. No signs of pressure. Lapua brass.

 

[Jeff Porter]

In a bolt rifle with that much free bore I would expect you are seating them pretty long ( to shoulder neck junction). You should have more room to go up than I do. But they do shoot well in the slower nodes too. If you are not trying to be super sonic past 1000 there is not a need to hit rod them up toward 3000

 

[urbanrifleman]

That split neck case is where my bullet hits the lands. If you look really close the pressure ring is above the shoulder junction.

 

[clowdis]

Running 88 ELDM's at 2840 through a 30" barrel. Pressure isn't too far out so cases are lasting around 8-10 firings. Powder is N140

 

[urbanrifleman]

Running 88 ELDM's at 2840 through a 30" barrel. Pressure isn't too far out so cases are lasting around 8-10 firings. Powder is N140

What freebore?

 

[Nrdon]

That split neck case is where my bullet hits the lands. If you look really close the pressure ring is above the shoulder junction.

View attachment 1403150View attachment 1403151

What is the coal of that cartridge? I am thinking of building a rifle with aics mags that can go to 2.55 oal. I am trying to figure out the freebore to fit these constraints with the 88 eld, 85.5 Berger or 90 smk.

 

[Nrdon]

What is the coal of that cartridge? I am thinking of building a rifle with aics mags that can go to 2.55 oal. I am trying to figure out the freebore to fit these constraints with the 88 eld, 85.5 Berger or 90 smk.

@urbanrifleman?

 

[fkimble@charter.net]

Is it me or does that neck look crooked in the first pic?

Frank

 

[clowdis]

What freebore?

I'm using the Manson T15 reamer for which the drawing shows a .155 freebore but mine looks more like .200.

 

[BP1]

I'm using the Manson T15 reamer for which the drawing shows a .155 freebore but mine looks more like .200.

It’s probably really close to that with the 0.055 lead

 

[urbanrifleman]

What is the coal of that cartridge? I am thinking of building a rifle with aics mags that can go to 2.55 oal. I am trying to figure out the freebore to fit these constraints with the 88 eld, 85.5 Berger or 90 smk.

2.685"

Shoot the 80s and skip the 88s.

 

[rcgill]

.196 freebore
30”
7 twist
Lapua brass
90 VLD
N135
MV=2900
7-10 firings on brass

Bob

 

[urbanrifleman]

I'm not sure those long barrels are making any difference. I'm shooting a 26-in barrel and I'm getting the same velocities. Of course, I throated the barrel to the appropriate free bore for the 88 which would add case capacity or at least get the case capacity back to where it's supposed to be.

I have this theory that people aren't paying nearly enough attention to the back of the bullet. The back of the bullet should be in the same place that the cartridge was originally designed for with the bullet it was designed for. If you're shooting a 223 that was designed for a 55 grain bullet then your 88 grain bullet should sit in the neck at the same place. If you don't do that you're essentially shooting a different cartridge.