Best 224 bullet for transonic flight?

[apraafra]

Gentlemen - I have a 223 Rem with a 30" 1x8" barrel that I shoot TR (optics) here in Alberta Canada. Our range currently has firing points out to 900m but they plan to go out to 1200m. I have been told that VLD and Hybrid bullets do not do very well going through transonic flight and that I am better off staying with the 82 gr Berger BT's that I currently use when we start shooting out to 1200m?

Thanks, Jay

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

I should think that you would want to stay supersonic as far downrange as possible. When I shot the .223 Remington in F-TR LR, I could easily make 1000yards supersonically using the 80gr JLK started at 2850fps from my 26 inch barrel.

With your 30 inch barrel, you should be able to get closer to 2900, seat long and add powder. JBM shows that at 70degree and sea level, that combo would come out of warp speed right at 1300 yards. So It would still be shy of your 1200 meters, but it should still be fairly accurate. I haven't a clue how well the 80JLK survives the transonic passage.

On the other hand, JBM shows the 82 Berger going transonic right after 1075 yards and I'm not sure you could send it off as fast as the lighter 80JLK.

 

[CharlieNC]

Jay when I looked at this for a multitude of calibers, at my atmospheric I found a simple guideline:

Max Trans Sonic Range (yards) = G1BC x Muzzle Velocity (fps)

Of course this will be a little different for your atmosphere, but it can be used as a simple guideline to compare options before doing the in-depth work to narrow down the choices.