.223 88 Grain?

[writerman]

I had a question because I've never done this before. I consulted the Lyman AR manual, and they have stats for loading 90 grain in an AR. I have a 24" bull barrel with the Wylde Chamber, will that make any difference in accuracy? I have heard rumors of freebore and how important it is, but am not certain if I am going after perfect accuracy. On target for now at least. Shooting the 88 grain with an OAL of 2.400 is what's listed, 23 grains of Varget. What experience have you had with these? Thanks. I do have a 1:7 AR, but it's only 20 inch barrel. All others, 1:8. Thanks.

 

[padom]

I had a question because I've never done this before. I consulted the Lyman AR manual, and they have stats for loading 90 grain in an AR. I have a 24" bull barrel with the Wylde Chamber, will that make any difference in accuracy? I have heard rumors of freebore and how important it is, but am not certain if I am going after perfect accuracy. On target for now at least. Shooting the 88 grain with an OAL of 2.400 is what's listed, 23 grains of Varget. What experience have you had with these? Thanks. I do have a 1:7 AR, but it's only 20 inch barrel. All others, 1:8. Thanks.

The 88 is a very long bullet and if you don't have a chamber cut for it it's going to be stuffed way down in the case.

 

[Walt Krafft]

Seat a bullet in an empty case and see how long you can get it. Then, see how far it sits in the case. With your rifle, 80 SMKs will shoot well at something around 2.450 oal.

 

[Mike Powers]

I shoot 80gr Nosler's at 2.400 coal in a 20" wylde chambered rifle.
Mike

 

[Laurie]

I do have a 1:7 AR, but it's only 20 inch barrel. All others, 1:8.

So, you're enquiring about using the 88gn ELD-M in an 8-twist barrel?

If so, optimum freebore length is immaterial as you need a 7-twist or faster to stabilise this bullet. (That is unless Raton is your 'local range' with its 7,500 ft ASL altitude and you only plan to shoot this bullet in high summer.) For your 8-twist barrel, use the shorter OAL 80s as others have said, and note the longer models in this weight are only marginally or even not at all stabilised in all ambient conditions.)

 

[urbanrifleman]

I shoot this bullet in bolt gun and I love it. My freebore is 230 fb. And that requires jam.

In an AR-15 it is a non starter.

Stick to 80 ELDM or 80 smk. And you will have to single load.