best in overall competition

[jraney]

1st i have 2 rifles that i can do this with 1 is a .223 & the other is .22-250. i do not have the money to try to upgrade to a "better" caliber. so please just need some quick info and that is it. if i were to enter a competition which caliber would or is best suited for competition? i believe the 223 has a 9twist and the 22-250 has i think a 12. the heaviest bullets i have shot with both guns is 60grns. what distances would be best for these 2 calibers? i am in oklahoma, how would i go about finding competitions near me? at what distances do these 2 calibers start showing their age. any thing else you folks can add would be great.

 

[Terry]

I started many years ago with a .223 with 1:9 twist. Anything from 100-600 yards is fair game.
Both IBS and NBRSA have their matches posted on their websites. This site has great match info as well.
An internet search of matches in your area may help.

Go have fun!

 

[jraney]

hey thanks, what gr of bullet would you suggest?

 

[AR Shooter]

Suggest the faster twist .223 for longer distances as it will stabilize larger bullets. Try Sierra 69gr SMKs (MatchKings). You might get away with 75gr Hornadys or 77gr SMKs, but you will need to try them to find out. You can purchase (if you can find it) Black Hills ammo loaded with the three bullets I've listed. Load that worked well in my 20" service rifle was the 69gr SMK pushed by 25.5gr of RE15. If shooting a bolt gun you might get away with another grain, or so, of powder. But, read the loading manuals and follow their suggestions and work your way up. Lots of folks like Varget for .223, as well as 4895.

Neglected to mention that Red Castle Gun Club near Tulsa and OKC Gun Club on the NE side of OKC both have 600yd matches. Google both for their schedules.

 

[jraney]

hey thanks okc and tulsa are not to far.

 

[280man]

I would shoot the .223

I run the prone matches at Tulsa Red Castle. We will start them back up on the 2nd Saturday of each month in September. OKC Gun Club has their prone matches on the 3rd Saturday of each month. Both are NRA approved matches at 600 yards. Contact me in you need more info

 

[jraney]

hey thanks 280man, alright guys still going on what i have , my .223 is a 9 twist. checking on bullets i was looking in my sierra reloading book and the heaviest it suggested for the 9 twist was 63 smp. do you folks think there is in chance getting a longer heaveir bullet to work well in what i have? also with longer and heavier does anything need to be done to the chamber? i really would like to try competition shooting but i do not want to spend alot to try something. oh yeah the barrel on my gun is 20", what kind of probs will this cuase . i know i may not get book velocity on most or even all loads but will that kill me out to 600yds? according to the book the test barrel was only 24" 14twist. does the twist effect velocity? any more info on what i have and how i could best compete would be great.

 

[AR Shooter]

The Sierra listed twist-rates are 'recommendations'. I shoot with someone who shoots the 69s in his 1-10" twist barrel and does fine at 600yd. You really have to give it a try to find out. One barrel may not do well and the next with the same twist may love it. At 600yd you will want the heaviest bullet your rifle will shoot.