Bushmaster Varmit

[Finney]

I have just acquired a Bush Master Varmint with a 24" 1in9 twist barrel.
What would be the best bullet weight for this?

 

[tuck2]

If the rifle is chambered for the 223 Rem cartridge with the fast rifleing try bullets between 60 and 80 grains. I only have reloading data for 223 s with 1-12 and 1-14 inch rifleing.

 

[Finney]

Yes it is 223. I too only have data for 1in12 twist.

 

[Taildrag15X]

My Bushmaster varmint 1-9" loves 69, 77 and 80 gr. Sierra's over Varget, R-15 and VV-133......

Here's the link from the .223 Rem load page for Sierra.

http://accurateshooter.net/Downloads/sierra223ar.pdf

 

[A_Gamehog]

Target bullets 52 grains thru 75's
Varmint bullets 53,55,60 V-max 50 Barnes Varmint grenade.

Powders you have?

400 yard load,
53 V-max
Lake City brass
CCI450 primers
8208XBR or Varget,
2.260 or less COL (your magazine dictates the length)

 

[jonbearman]

You should get a couple of the latest reloading manuals as they have far more imfo than your older ones.It would pay for itself instantly with the latest reloading imfo for specific guns even.

 

[Finney]

Thanks guys, I will try some 55grBK over Varget.

 

[flur60]

For what it's worth, I've got a 24" w/ 1in9 on my CZ 527 223, it shoots 55gr varmageddons into bug-holes using 26.2grs. of IMR-4895 and 52gr. Berger target bullets even better with 26.7grs of 4895. Both loads are jammed .012" - .015".

 

[TAJ45]

Twist rates are an interesting subject to me. I have bookmarked Shilen's chart for a general chart. Shilen says a 9 tw bbl is good to 70 gr. We all know that this is a ballpark wgt depending on actual bullet design and make up.

This is probably why I've seen more than one poster say that his Pac Nor or Lilja or Krieger etc will shoot the .20 cal 55 gr with no stabilization problems. However, the bbl mfrs above recommend an "8" tw for the 55s.

Same as your follow up posters saying they can run 80 gr in their nines. If it does it, don't confuse the issue saying it shouldn't. But, know that actual rate can also vary during mfrg so some may be off .5 or more in the actual tw rate.
This can make a difference in an app where the bullet is on the very edge of stabilization.

 

[5spd]

55g vmax/55g NBT/55g Varmageddon, 55g SBK all will be perfect in your new upper.
Powders.... benchmark/tac/exterminator/blc2/w748/4198/h335/h332.
Load some up and shoot some targets.

 

[DaleS]

I have the Varminter like you have, and mine will shoot from 55 to 77gr well...

 

[Shiyfire]

My bushy varminter likes 25.3 varget with a 55 grain bullet @2.260 OAL,not a fast load but its accurate.

 

[sundance]

I used to have a Winchester Heavy Varmint rifle with a 1 in 9 twist.I used 40 grain Vmax bullets with Data 2200 powder .The rifle loved those bullets.The prairie dogs didn't. my gunsmith had the same gun and his liked 40 grain Nosler Ballistic tips. We weren't sure the barrels would work with the 40 grainers but they both did.

 

[thekriebles]

I used to have the Varminter like yours. Mine shot well using from 52gr. SMKs to 73gr. Bergers.