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Is the .223AI worth it for 55 grain bullets?

++ on the Vmax. For even more excitement get some Calhoun 37 Dbl HP. Cool looking silver pill as well! Eric in DL
 
Waiting on a barrel specifically for a. 223AI , hoping that the 53gr. Vmax will be the bullet.
 
If I stay with lighter bullets is the velocity gain worth it?
I prefer the 55g Nosler or the 55g Varmageddon over the 53g V max, and I do have a 12twist. I shoot the 55's at 3700 with N135, rem 7 1/2 or CCIBR-4's, NOT in federal brass. I shoot much smaller groups at 300 with the 55's, your rifle will like the ballistic tip or the flat base Varm.

On the 50g Nosler BT, I run them at 3800 out of a 23" 14 twist, and 3850 out of a 27" 12T Hart, with N133 and 7v 1/2 primers. Groups with all are tiny to say the least out of a Minimum SAAMI reamer with zero freebore.

I don't loose primer pockets and don't full length size, IMI brass. I believe that Lake City brass is tougher than IMI, just start off with new brass if you go LC.

The accuracy is something you are just going to have to see to believe! Benchmark, H322, H335, both 4895's, R#15, AA2015, 748, are all extremely accurate and easy to tune. I believe that H335 is the easiest on throats

So, does it sound worth it to you?

Good luck
 
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If you are looking for more velocity NO. When you increase the volume of a case you get an increase in velocity that is 1/2 the percentage increase in case volume at the same chamber pressure.
 
The extra bit of velocity might not matter all that much, but when you factor in the modified shoulder angle that significantly reduces case stretching, the need to trim and extended case life, I'd say any AI cartridge is worth it.
 
Ackleyman that is a big velocity difference in the 23 and 27 inch barrels. Is that right and if so is it the twist difference?
That was a typo, and I fixed it.

what is really amazing is the 40g Nosler at 4130 using AA2230, unbelievable accuracy, also N133 but it is a slightly compressed load.

I have wanted to try N130 with the 40 and 50g bullets, just for giggles and grins.
 

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