Favorite 223 rem bullet for 1-300 yards

[Kevin1990]

Over the next month or so I just want to ask some questions in regard to 223 rem while I gather components for this build.
Bolt gun (Kelbly or Mack Bros) mag fed.
Plan on using a 20" 1-8 twist barrel Krieger or hart barrel.
I'm deciding on Varget or N140 for powder. I'd like Varget, but the price of N140 is so much better. I also plan on using the powder for my 6br.

Curious, what's your favorite bullet for 1-300 yard shooting for the 223 rem? Feel free to share your bullet and powder combo.

Thanks fellas!

 

[Cfshooter]

With those powders I would stay with 68gr-85. What kind of barrel? Length? Bolt gun? Mag fed?

I would start with Berger 80.5’s, probably won’t need to try any others.

 

[Kevin1990]

With those powders I would stay with 68gr-85. What kind of barrel? Length? Bolt gun? Mag fed?

I would start with Berger 80.5’s, probably won’t need to try any others.

Just updated the post. It's for a bolt gun. 20in barrel mag fed.

 

[RegionRat]

Curious about what kind of shooting you would like to do at 300?
Twist rates tend to point to a weight range, and heavy weight bullets tend to be for distances beyond 300 yards.
Why did you select 1:8 twist for shooting 300 yards or less?


https://www.accurateshooter.com/cartridge-guides/223rem/

Keeping the bullets lighter is not only faster, but cheaper too.
For distances inside 300 yards, there are some really good flat base match bullets, but your twist is oriented toward heavier longer distance bullets. A 12 or 14 would be better for those light flat base match bullets that really shine inside 300.

Are you shooting paper, gongs, varmints? Other?

 

[Kevin1990]

@RegionRat I haven't gotten a barrel yet, so twist rate isn't set in stone. This would be for just shooting groups on paper and small gongs out to 300. I still want the smallest groups possible even if I'm not competing. I found a range by me that goes to 300 that's why the ranges are from 1-300. My concern/ assumption with the flatbase is that they will get pushed around in the wind a lot, even at 300.

The reason I chose N140 is because I figured I could buy a good amount and be able to burn out a 223 and 6br barrel.

If you have any suggestions im all ears, brother! Nothing is set in stone as of yet. I'm just trying to gather info.

EDIT:
After putting all the info in to a ballistic calc the 55 vs 77 is almost the same at 300. That changes things quite a bit, haha

 

[10XSHOOTER]

77 gr Sierra or the new 77 TMK

 

[Bamban]

Back when we shot irons on service rifle matches, Randy R made a special run 73 grains FB bullets for me. They were the most precise shooting bullets that I shot accurately up to 300 yards.

 

[RegionRat]

After putting all the info in to a ballistic calc the 55 vs 77 is almost the same at 300. That changes things quite a bit, haha

Okay. You are getting up to speed now.

If you ever looked at the folks who try to shoot small at 100/200 BR competition, you will notice their habits with respect to bullet weights and twists.

They would probably start with something that looks like a 52 gr BIB which is a flat base. They would use a 1:14, 1:13, maybe a 1:12 at most.

Several good factory bullets are offered in the 40 - 55 grain range with ogives and base shapes that are tailored for precision/accuracy shooting up to 300 yards. You don't need to use hand crafted bullets to get started.

You will probably want a bbl longer than 20" as well. Something along the lines of a heavy varmint rig with the stock of your choice. YMMV

 

[JSH]

69 grain Sierra Match King

 

[Cfshooter]

These are some cheap bullets at the distance, I have a 60vmax one as well but it does open up at this distance compared to the others.

 

[Turkeytider]

69 grain Sierra Match King

Ditto. I don’t hand load but for a factory load through my Savage 12 LRPV , 1:7 to 500 yards I shoot almost exclusively Australian Defense Industries ( ADI) loaded with this bullet. Very accurate.

 

[nakneker]

Depends on the purpose for me. If 300 yards is the limit I run a lot of my 223s with 50-55 grain bullets if I’m shooting small critters, 50 gr ballistic tip, 52 grain match, 55gr Blitzking are some of favorites for that. If I’m shooting yotes or the occasional bobcat I’m typically shooting something in 60 grains, both plastic tipped bullets like ballistic tips and 60 grain partitions if I’m trying to save pelts. If I’m shooting steel out beyond 300 my first choice is a fast twist with heavy bullets, 77 TMK or 80 grain bergers.

I also have different 223s that are purpose driven. I’m shopping for one right now with threaded 16” barrel for a supressor.

Fun cartridge.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

69 grain Sierra Match King

I like the way the 69 still loads in the neck, compared to the deep seated heavies.

 

[SteveOak]

EDIT:
After putting all the info in to a ballistic calc the 55 vs 77 is almost the same at 300. That changes things quite a bit, haha

Now run again for a 24" barrel.

 

[Kevin1990]

Now run again for a 24" barrel.

I did. I just took the average for load data from both.

 

[urbanrifleman]

Berger 80.5 if money is no object.

For budget shooting, 75 ELDM and 80 ELDM, or 80 smk.

You would do better to get the right freebore than use fancy bullets.

 

[CharlieNC]

At our 300yd fclass matches the Berger 80.5 always shoots well, and the 85.5 is temperamental but works well for some. The 69smk is accurate but much more sensitive to wind. But if you go further a 7twist plus 90gr bullets is a definite advantage.

 

[urbanrifleman]

At our 300yd fclass matches the Berger 80.5 always shoots well, and the 85.5 is temperamental but works well for some. The 69smk is accurate but much more sensitive to wind. But if you go further a 7twist plus 90gr bullets is a definite advantage.

I don't see how you can mag feed 90s and stay out of the donut.

 

[CharlieNC]

I don't see how you can mag feed 90s and stay out of the donut.

Just single feed.....

 

[Kevin1990]

Just single feed.....

It's for a mag fed 223 plinking gun from 1-300 yards. Kinda defeats the purpose of it all.