Fast twist .223 - trying to get 53gr V-Max to shoot well

[IA_shooter]

I've been trying to get 53gr V-max to shoot well enough for my liking out of my 1-7 twist .223 barrel and it seems like I need to slow them down to the lower end of the spectrum and shoot them in the 300-3100 fps range to get them to shoot consistently enough to my liking. Is this due to the faster twist? I can get them to shoot well over 3300, close to 3400 fps but they seem to get "wild" on me at those speeds. Has anyone else come across the same kind of results in a fast twist barrel like mine?

I suppose I'd be better off with a 1-8 to a 1-10 twist if I really wanted to shoot these faster huh?

BTW, the "faster" loads shoot really well out of my Savage Axis 1-9 twist 22" barrel, but not out of my Savage 12 VLPDBM with the 1-7 twist 26" barrel.

 

[40X Guy]

My son's 22-250 LRPV Savage with 12 twist devours the 53 V-max bullets at 3866 fps over 38.5 grains of CFE223 powder. They will not shoot in my 13 twist .220 Swift at hyper velocity but the 12 twist seems to be perfect as per Hornady recommendations. Incredible bullet on chucks. I can't answer your question as to the 53 V-Max in a 7 twist but would think a call to the Hornady reps may be in order. I would be playing with 75-90 grain class bullets in your rifle.

Frank

 

[Outrider27]

Just a random thought: if they "shoot well over 3300, close to 3400 fps but they seem to "get wild" on me at those speeds", what is "getting wild" - that doesn't sound like shooting well, but without knowing what "getting wild" is, it's hard to tell if it's twist rate related or not, or to offer suggestions to improve the situation.

 

[tuttlefarm]

With a 7 twist barrel, trying to push any bullet over 3000 fps you are going to stress the bullet jacket. Which means you will lose accuracy, and possibly jacket failure, with the bullets coming apart in flight.

 

[varmintshooter]

I shoot them in a 223 AI @ 3600 and the accuracy was good enough that I didn't look any farther. This was in a 9 twist. Never tried them in a 7 twist.

 

[IA_shooter]

With a 7 twist barrel, trying to push any bullet over 3000 fps you are going to stress the bullet jacket. Which means you will lose accuracy, and possibly jacket failure, with the bullets coming apart in flight.

I have a feeling that this is exactly what is happening. I believe I had one come completely apart when they were running over 3350fps as I didn't get a hit on my target or target backer at all on one shot.

I went back out yesterday and shot some loads with 24.2gr and 24.5gr of H4895 that were running from 2975-3050 fps that shot less than 1" 5 shot groups @ 200 yards. When I was running them a few hundred fps faster they were opening up to 3"-4" groups @ 200 yards.

So I think I'll just stay with the lighter/slower loads that show some good accuracy potential and call it good.

I know the 1-7 twist rate is best for the 60-80gr bullets but wanted to see if I could use some of these 53gr V-Maxs for a PD trip coming up in June since I have several hundred of them to use if needed.

I'll be starting to test the 75gr A-Max soon and I have a feeling that's where I'll find the true potential of this rifle.

 

[IA_shooter]

Just a random thought: if they "shoot well over 3300, close to 3400 fps but they seem to "get wild" on me at those speeds", what is "getting wild" - that doesn't sound like shooting well, but without knowing what "getting wild" is, it's hard to tell if it's twist rate related or not, or to offer suggestions to improve the situation.

What I meant by "shooting well over 3300 fps" was they were shooting much higher than 3300, not that they were shooting "well" or "good" as in group size.

They were opening up to 3" to 4" groups @ 200 yards at the higher speeds, or "getting wild".

 

[IA_shooter]

I shoot them in a 223 AI @ 3600 and the accuracy was good enough that I didn't look any farther. This was in a 9 twist. Never tried them in a 7 twist.

That's exactly why I am going to order myself a .223AI barrel with a nice brake installed soon. I want to be able to shoot the 50-55 grain .224 bullets in the 3500-3800 fps range and still be able to see the hits in the scope.

I thought about putting a barrel like that on this Savage 12 VLPDBM but I want to keep the 1-7 twist barrel on this to be able to use for some FTR shoots in the future so I'm just going to build a completely new rifle in .223AI this year. 8)

 

[Midnightmedic]

I shoot them in my 8 twist 20" AR15 at about 3250fps and they hold 0.5moa at 200 yards. I use 25.4grs of 8208xbr with a col of 2.310" to fit asc ss mags. I could get to 3400 with cfe223 but it would start throwing flyers.

 

[boltgunluvr]

My 223 with 1 in 12 loves 53-55gr bullets going 3000-3100. Accuracy isn't there with anything faster.

 

[Swift4Yotes]

You should sell me you 53's and buy these ;Dhttp://www.shootersproshop.com/nosler-products/nosler-blemished-2nds/nosler-blemished-bullets/nosler-22-60gr-ballistic-tip-blem-100ct-cann.html

 

[IA_shooter]

I am just not happy enough with the results I'm getting with this 7-twist barrel for the 53's. I can get just under 1 MOA but at slower speeds than I want to see. I will probably pull this barrel off and sell it and order a custom 24"-26" .223AI barrel with a brake. I want to be able to push the 50-55 grain bullets in the 3300-3500 fps range at least and see close to 1/2 MOA results and be able to see the action through the scope.

I did some testing with 69's and 75's and was getting fairly decent results with this 1-7 twist and I have a feeling I could probably get close to the 1/2 MOA with the heavier bullets but if I want to shoot the longer 600-700+ yard ranges I think I'll build or buy myself a 6MM or 6.5MM rifle and get up into the 107-125 grain range of bullets.

So what's going to be my best bet to shoot the 50-55 grain bullets out of a .223AI barrel? Probably at least a 1-9 twist, maybe a 1-10?

 

[Phil]

I haven`t started my project yet, but here`s what I`m gonna do........eventually...

.223AI

.062 freebore

8 twist barrel

It`s a compromise but my intent is to shoot the 53 Vmax as well as the 75 Amax in this one, we`ll see how that pans out.

Phil.

 

[stinnett1981]

I haven`t started my project yet, but here`s what I`m gonna do........eventually...

.223AI

.062 freebore

8 twist barrel

It`s a compromise but my intent is to shoot the 53 Vmax as well as the 75 Amax in this one, we`ll see how that pans out.

Phil.

It should work. I have a .223 with a 8 twist barrel with .064" freebore. Its the perfect freebore for the 53g Vmax and 75g Amax. Thats the only 2 bullets I shoot. I shoot the Amax with Varget and the Vmax with Benchmark.

 

[Phil]

Jerod,

I pretty sure I got my numbers from you.......

I`d have to double check the reamer it probably is .064.

Phil.

 

[IA_shooter]

I haven`t started my project yet, but here`s what I`m gonna do........eventually...

.223AI

.062 freebore

8 twist barrel

It`s a compromise but my intent is to shoot the 53 Vmax as well as the 75 Amax in this one, we`ll see how that pans out.

Phil.

I'm thinking that this is exactly the direction I'll take as well.

 

[alf]

Another example of trying to force feed a barrel, bullets it doesn't like.

Why not skip the 53's and go straight to the 75 Amax? Small loss in drops countered by big gains in wind drift.

 

[Eric Leonard]

my CZ527V is 9 twist and shoots the 69 SMK with 25 Varget very well at 3000 fps,,I tried the 53 VMax last week and shoots better than the 69 with 25.5 Benchmark at 3250 fps,,I havent shot in much wind yet but at 500 yards the 53 VMax is 1.25 MOA flatter,,

the 69 SMK usually shoots around 2 inches at 300 yards and the 53 VMax shot 2 groups at 1.25 inches,,

gonna get some more 53VMax and study this a little more,,my AR likes the 69 SMK so I can always shoot them in it if I decide to switch to the 53 in the CZ bolt rifle,,so far I am impressed..

 

[Sniper338]

+1 you have too fast of twist for that gr bullet. 52s and 53s shooter better in a 10 or 12 twist.. ive had EXCELLENT luck with them in a 12 twist. Ive shot them in a 7.5 twist and it was still not good enough for me.. i got them under half and inch 5 shot groups but never one hole at 100 yards..

accurate 2230 was the best powder i found with them in a 223.

 

[rjgonzo]

I shoot them in my 8 twist 20" AR15 at about 3250fps and they hold 0.5moa at 200 yards. I use 25.4grs of 8208xbr with a col of 2.310" to fit asc ss mags. I could get to 3400 with cfe223 but it would start throwing flyers.

I've had similar results with a ASA ar 8twist. Great accuracy with IMR 4895 around 3200 Fps. that was with 52 grn match kings. Great fun!