223 Free Bore

[Rick Ratzlaff]

I have never loaded for as small as a 223. It is in a Ruger 1 in 8 twist and 55 gr. projectile.
The first thing I did was measure the bolt face to rifling. That measured 2.064.
Our factory rounds are 1.877 to the ogive. There is no way to mount a 55 gr close to the lands.

That seems like a LOT of Free Bore in the chamber. Is this kind of normal?

 

[GLShooter]

Pretty normal but changing what bullet profile you use can help. VMAX bullets hit at shorter lengths than many. Even with the long freebore the 223 guns shoot great most of the time.

 

[DShortt]

A one in 8 rate of twist is more suited to heavier, thus longer bullets. If you load bullets closer to 70 grains the issue will be self-resolving.

 

[Rick Ratzlaff]

Thanks, I kind of expected we need heavier bullets.

 

[Sandstorm]

Yup...get longer bullets or not.

 

[jpx2rk]

Try the 53g vmax

 

[SKWERLZ]

Try the 53g vmax

Those and the 55 ballistic tips shoot really well with long jumps.

 

[Doom]

I have never loaded for as small as a 223. It is in a Ruger 1 in 8 twist and 55 gr. projectile.
The first thing I did was measure the bolt face to rifling. That measured 2.064.
Our factory rounds are 1.877 to the ogive. There is no way to mount a 55 gr close to the lands.

That seems like a LOT of Free Bore in the chamber. Is this kind of normal?

Most manufactures do not supply SAAMI minimum chambers and many supply longer freebore. Rem 700 308 caliber chambers are an extreme example. My 700 will not have any of the bullet bearing surface in the case if seated to the lands with a 168 SMK.

 

[K22]

My vintage Remington 700's have a significant amount of free bore compared to the Browning's, Tikka's, after market Douglas and Hart barrels I have owned yet the Remington's shot as well as any of the others with the bullets seated well off the lands, in some cases over .030".

 

[jrh84]

A lot of the lighter (<80 gr) bullets shoot great at longer jumps. They are meant to shoot at magazine length, and at magazine length, they are a LONG way from the lands. Seat to a reasonable depth and try it out. It'll likely shoot lights out as-is.

The one caveat is the 52 grain bullets (and likely others)...if you seat them to magazine length (2.260" OAL), they'll be HARD jammed into the lands. They are meant to be seated well below 2.260" due to their blunt nose profile. I forget what the nominal length for those bullets are.

50 and 53 grainers shoot awesome in my Wylde chambered 1:7 and 1:8 AR's.

 

[dusterdave173]

53 Vmax does not seem to care about length--they just shoot great in my Savage --it has a long throat Try them with N133 --it will surprise you how well it shoots with low to med loads

 

[BradY]

One bullet that really does well in a lot of 8 twist barrels here is the Sierra 55gr game point spitzer. Jump tolerant and able to withstand the revs a 1:8 barrel can put out.

 

[Rick Ratzlaff]

Thanks ya'all. We'll see how it shoots and report.

 

[NZ_Fclass]

I had a re barrelled BSA that had a long free bore/fast twist. The only 55g that came close was the Sierra BTHP. Good small game bullet too.

 

[urbanrifleman]

Thanks ya'all. We'll see how it shoots and report.

55 Nosler Varmegedon are flat back. Much better for longer freebore.

 

[DShortt]

55 Nosler Varmegedon are flat back. Much better for longer freebore.

Yep. Boat tails don't shoot well for me in the instance of long freebores. Flat bases cooperate much better. FMJBTs typically don't group great in anything for me. I always presumed it's because there's no cheaper bullet to buy.

 

[skeeljc]

.223's typically have lots of free bore to allow for a vast range of bullets. For comparison my .222 Remington BR rifle has a zero free bore chamber so I can seat 52/53 grain target bullets well into the lands.

 

[ebb]

Try some 73 grain Bergers

 

[Rick Ratzlaff]

Thanks again, guys. We can't even get out to shoot. Very high SE winds and fires and fires. Lots of evacuations, and homes in at least 1 town burnt. Not looking good for this time of year.

 

[William Vogel]

Thanks, I kind of expected we need heavier bullets.

What is your goal for the rifle? Target or hunting? Short range, up to 300 yards or out to 600-700 yards?