223 At 500 Meters - First Time Shooting This Far - How to Prepare ?

[rayjay]

The furthest I've ever shot is 200 yards in our club's monthly BR matches [ which I quit doing about 5 years ago ]. The club has built a 500 meter silhouette range and I have decided to go over there and shoot some gongs and paper targets and see what's up.

I'm assembling a 40X and have 4 bbls currently fitted to this action. A 12 twist 223 factory sporter bbl, a 14 twist 6 PPC bbl and a 14 twist 6 Beggs bbl [ and a 221 FB that I won't be shooting at 500 ].

I only have a lot of ammo for the 223 bbl so it's the natural one to experiment with. I have a variety of factory ammo from 45 grs to 55 grs. The gun will have a T36 scope on it. Rimfire 40X stock. Jewel BR trigger. I will either make a BR glide plate for the forend and use my windage/elevation BR rest or use a Harris bipod. Rear bag.

So, since none of these bbls has been shot on this action I will start out at the 100/200 yard range and get it DEAD ON the dot at 100 and then 200 to verify the come up. Also check the groups just to make sure it's worth moving to the 500 range. If the rifle shoots decent groups at 100 and 200 I plan on measuring down from the 100 yd group about 50" and dialing the scope to this new aim point.

According to what I have read this should put me on paper at 500 meters. Actually we also have 300 meters and should I start there ? It would be simple enough to find the drop on a ballistics chart.

So, is my plan good ? There is not a huge berm behind the sil range so they want you pretty much on the mark from the get go so this is why I am going this route.

Thanks for any input.

 

[mic2377]

The more difficult aspect for you will likely be using lighter weight bullets given the twist of the barrels. I have had excellent results with 75 gr class bullets out of my AR, and can hold consistent groups of less than 2 MOA past 400 yds. 55 gr loads also work but with ANY wind they are blown around horribly.

That being said, it can certainly be done. The key will be some accurate velocity data and a spotter. Also the use of BTHP loads will be helpful. I would work out progressively instead of starting close and guessing your dope.

500+ yds is humbling and will make you a much better shooter!

 

[Ned Ludd]

Find your zero at whatever range/distance is most convenient. If you have good velocity and atmospheric inputs, online ballistic calculators such as JBM Ballistics should be more than adequate to to get you on at 500m from your established zero.

As noted by mic2377, bullet weights in the 45-55 gr range will provide you with a significant challenge at 500 yd if there is much wind. However, that shouldn't stop you from participating and having fun. While you're running the numbers to determine the additional drop between your established zero and 500m, I'd also play around with various wind speeds and record the predicted wind deflection at 500m so you can prepare a wind deflection chart to have on hand when you shoot. With that in hand, just monitor the conditions as closely as possible and make your best wind calls. Good luck!

 

[johnfred1965]

Shoot what ya got. You will definitely get wind calling practice. If you decide on another barrel, get a 1-7 or 1-8 and shoot the 77 or 80gr. LOT less guessing the wind

 

[rayjay]

The range has 200m, 300m, 385m, and 500m. So once I have my 200 yd zero and my ballistics table in front of me I should have no trouble. I'm mostly trying to sell all this stuff so the 100 yd groups are what I want to be able to show. The 500m shooting is just for my own enjoyment until I sell the 40X stuff.

It would be interesting to take my Savage/PacNor 6.8 SPC and see how it does.

 

[Downhill]

Grit your teeth, close your eyes and jerk the trigger! Just kidding. Don't over think this- take your known data then apply your ballistic table and have fun. I've been shooting competitively since the late 80's. If I ever get to the point where I am not learning or stressing out over a shoot I'd probably take up golf. Lots of good info here- gather what you need then apply it and you will be surprised.

 

[Boyd L.]

I'm watching this to see what your results are with 55 grain bullets and a 12-twist barrel. I'm not doubting you...just interested.
My 8 twist barrel has done just under 3.5" at 500 with 75 grain Hornady BTHP and me at the wheel so anything is possible. If you're not restricted to factory ammo or the 55 grain weight, the 68 or 69 grain stuff "might" stabilize.

Good luck.

 

[rayjay]

Just for educational results I did some checking of BC and it turns out that the 115 SMK developed for the 6.8 has a much better number than any .224 until the 224 gets past the 69 SMK.

BC
.324 ---------------- .277 115gr smk
.482 ---------------- .277 135gr smk
.301 ---------------- .224 69gr smk
.272 ---------------- .224 55gr fmjbt M193 bullet

 

[rayjay]

My rifle is basically shootable right now so I will try to get to the range this week. Due to some serious health issues I haven't been to the range to shoot precision stuff in 2 years so it will be an effort to round up all the stuff. Fortunately the check list is sitting there on the bench

 

[johnfred1965]

Grit your teeth, close your eyes and jerk the trigger! Just kidding. Don't over think this- take your known data then apply your ballistic table and have fun. I've been shooting competitively since the late 80's. If I ever get to the point where I am not learning or stressing out over a shoot I'd probably take up golf. Lots of good info here- gather what you need then apply it and you will be surprised.

GOLF! Heaven Forbid!!!

 

[rayjay]

Hoping to hit the range next week. Rifle is ready. This is the 221 FB bbl which is the fattest one that will be put on this rifle. If it fits all the others will with no problems.

 

[Fast14riot]

I've shot 55s, 52s at a silhouette match before. The light bullets look like an air strike coming from above on the rams. A high miss can be difficult to spot because of this, the splash will be behind the ram. Turkey's (385m) will be tougher than the rams though, much less windage available on the target and you need to hit them higher to knock them over.

On the rams you're going to end up around 14moa or so. I don't have my dope for the 55s anymore. I shoot a silhouette match every other month for the past several years, so if you have any questions feel free to ask.

 

[rayjay]

I have shot in an Extreme Rimfire Silhouette match several times. The rams are at 188m/205y. With a 22LR you think you've missed and then PING and the ram slides back and falls down off the rack. If you hit them in the middle with a 17HM2 they don't fall. You have to hit them on the snout. A 22 Mag whangs them back against the berm with authority