Marketing and driving up sales is Certainly a factor.
Why small caliber heavy bullets??
- Thread starter Cbrown3020
- Start date
The amount of performance the 223 picks up when it's freed from an AR15 magazine and heavy bullets are added is surprising. I credit the FTR guys for bringing it to my attention years ago. I use a rebarreled 223 RPR for steel entertainment from 350 to 1200 yards. 75 grain ELDm at 3000 fps. The original intent was to have a gun with contrasting ballistics to shoot while a similar 6XC cooled down. The contrast isn't nearly what it used to be with AR15 mag length 77 SMKs. Components are still relatively cheap. Recoil is extremely low with a gun that size.
I disagree with the assertion that 223 barrels wear faster than larger bores. That may or may not be the general case as far as bore diameter is concerned but the 223 case and powder charges are so small they wear slowly even after bumping them a bit. The 6XC is on the second barrel. I'm guessing it'll be through about 3 before the 223 needs replacing. Round counts are approximately the same.
The marketing types need to generate fresh interest with new product introductions every couple years. I think the smarter ones in that group look to what niche enthusiast groups are doing for fresh ideas. No, I don't think many who buy those products actually use them to the level the original niche group did but bless their hearts for creating the demand that simplifies things for those of us who do.
And then there is that "it's just a 223" thing before you blindside someone who spends too much and practices too little......
I disagree with the assertion that 223 barrels wear faster than larger bores. That may or may not be the general case as far as bore diameter is concerned but the 223 case and powder charges are so small they wear slowly even after bumping them a bit. The 6XC is on the second barrel. I'm guessing it'll be through about 3 before the 223 needs replacing. Round counts are approximately the same.
The marketing types need to generate fresh interest with new product introductions every couple years. I think the smarter ones in that group look to what niche enthusiast groups are doing for fresh ideas. No, I don't think many who buy those products actually use them to the level the original niche group did but bless their hearts for creating the demand that simplifies things for those of us who do.
And then there is that "it's just a 223" thing before you blindside someone who spends too much and practices too little......
I prefer mid weight for caliber bullets for hunting here in W. KY. 120gr for deer in my 260, 150's have killed truckloads of deer in my old 30-06 and 55gr Gamekings in my 22-250s have killed groundhogs out to 470 yards.
I suppose if I ever decide to kill steel at long range, heavy for caliber bullets will get a look.
I suppose if I ever decide to kill steel at long range, heavy for caliber bullets will get a look.
75 ELDm @ 2.5"
77 SMK @ 2.25"
55 gr FJM WWB
With the AR magazine, limited case capacity is traded for BC as the bullet weight is increased. From an AICS magazine, that tradeoff is removed if you're still free to specify the throat length. That effect is amplified with the 223 because the case and bullet diameters are relatively close.
While throating the chamber, I moved the 75 ELDm far enough forward to keep the rear of the bearing surface forward of the neck shoulder junction. Yea, that increases powder capacity even more but the larger benefit for little bullets at long distances is it tends to drive velocity spreads down. Particularly if the necks are not turned.
charlie b
Gold $$ Contributor
If I were only shooting out to 300yd I'd be happy with the lighter bullets and flat bases. My fun shooting starts at 600 and goes to 1000. When I was shooting cast bullets my favorite ranges were 500 and 600yd.
There is a lot of marketing going on for longer range shooting. PRS has boosted that a lot as has the popularity of 'sniper' stories. Out here there are a lot of dedicated long range hunters as well.
There is a lot of marketing going on for longer range shooting. PRS has boosted that a lot as has the popularity of 'sniper' stories. Out here there are a lot of dedicated long range hunters as well.
Never thought of it improving ES. Thats makes sense both from being above the donut and larger case volume. I gotta test that for myself.
75 ELDm @ 2.5"
77 SMK @ 2.25"
55 gr FJM WWB
With the AR magazine, limited case capacity is traded for BC as the bullet weight is increased. From an AICS magazine, that tradeoff is removed if you're still free to specify the throat length. That effect is amplified with the 223 because the case and bullet diameters are relatively close.
While throating the chamber, I moved the 75 ELDm far enough forward to keep the rear of the bearing surface forward of the neck shoulder junction. Yea, that increases powder capacity even more but the larger benefit for little bullets at long distances is it tends to drive velocity spreads down. Particularly if the necks are not turned.
ELR LVR
Silver $$ Contributor
nailed it
224 80 gr = same BC as
6mm 105/107 gr
------------------------------
Translation
Less ft/lbs of recoil with smaller mass bullet but having same BC
This right here is awesome! Your congregation has a pretty special pastor…
Merry Christmas to you and everyone here.
Bryan
The keyboard jockey in all of us believes the predicted numbers will translate to higher scores and hide our wind reading shortcomings.
Distance rifle competitions are primarily wind reading. Human nature is to hit the easy button. Sadly, many of our sports have become equipment races with the new bullets.
How did the best wind readers in the US get to where they are?
Distance rifle competitions are primarily wind reading. Human nature is to hit the easy button. Sadly, many of our sports have become equipment races with the new bullets.
How did the best wind readers in the US get to where they are?
That’s one reason I chose 22 arc over 6 arc slightly better BC to speed ratio and cheaper bullets.
ELR LVR
Silver $$ Contributor
I do like the cheaper bullet aspect of .224 while still having equal BC
They got some Nice BC .224's nowadays dont they
The direct answer to that question is they practiced. A lot. With open and inquisitive minds. With a variety of equipment. At a variety of venues. In a variety of conditions.
My largest take away from the Boyer book was "Matches happen in conditions so practice in conditions".
A 223 set up for heavy bullets shouldn't be your first or only gun and it absolutely won't work well for everything. They definitely have a useful niche for some.
jackieschmidt
Gold $$ Contributor
Quite often when I am at my local club, shooters will show up and not even shoot because the wind is blowing too hard.
They will look ay my flags and seem amazed. I also emphasize that as a Benchrest Shooter, I never have a choice in Matches as when I get to shoot. You sit down when your relay is up and shoot in what ever is out there. So, I don’t go home.
Of course, this is only 100/200/300 yard shooting, where precision flag reading pretty much cancels out every aspect of ballistics except the ability of the rifle and shooter to stack one bullet atop another.
This is made plain in the Short Range Rule Book in Freedom Benchrest.
In the objectives laid out, they state that Short Range Benchrest is possibly the only Rifle Discipline that does not have its roots in the Military or hunting realms. It exist solely for the purpose of achieving the ability to shoot the smallest groups possible or hit the center of a score target the most times.
All other aspects of rifle performance are sacrificed for this single purpose. Possibly the most prominent is Ballistic Coefficients.
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