new .223 , what bullet weights? (1:12)

ultimate_monkey

ultimate_monkey

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So i know but i know there is lots of "trial and error" and every rifle likes something a little different..

any who i just started loading for my weatherby .223 with a 1:12 twist i threw together some rds with 52gn hornady amax haven't got out yet, i still have empty brass and was just curious as to what bullet weights you guys are having luck with in a 1:12, iv dome some searching but most of what iv found it for 1:9/10 im assuming with such a slow twist a lighter bullet is where i fill find the sweet spot

any input? its all rainy here so ill prob throw some rds together tonight..

as far as powder goes all i have right now is varget but can get others
 
ultimate_monkey said:
... just curious as to what bullet weights you guys are having luck with in a 1:12
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Keep in mind that's it more the bullet length than its weight, but you should be able to push bullets up to around 60 grains or so with a 1-in-12 twist. The 60 gr Hornady Vmax, for example, is a fairly short bullet and you should have no trouble stabilizing it. Most types you will find in the 40-55 gr range will also work well.
 
40gr Blitzkings, 40gr V-Max's, and 50gr BallisticTips, 50gr Blitz's, 50gr V-Max's work great in my 1-12twist 700 VSF. I use W748 and Benchmark and Varget.
What distance are you shooting? Hunting with it?
 
Might try and stick with heavier 60gr for that distance. Some nice target bullets around like the bergers. I find when I shoot the 40gr bullets lose accuracy @ 200yrds compared to the 50gr I shoot. I haven't tried much past 300yrds. The twist will limit you on good bullets for that distance.
 
yeah i kinda figured the 1:12 would come back to haunt me but hey, for the price i paid for the rifle its not a big deal lol, i found with heavier (64gn factory loads) my groups more then trippled in size from 55gn factory
 
I have older Tikka Sporter 1-12 twist and she likes 53gr SMK with Benchmark 26.5gr.
It is very accurate load, I am loading on the lands with bushings.
 
Berger lists the twist required for each of their bullets. They tend to be one of the most accurate bullets available. You should be good up to 65 grains with flat base bullets. I would avoid the boat tails.

Berger Bullet Data
 
For high volume gopher shooting, Benchmark and the 50 grain Horn SPSX, under $20 a hundred, are pretty hard to beat. Great accuracy out of any 22 caliber I have tried them in, and very spectacular terminal results. The 40 Grain Blitxking or V-max and Benchmark, you can get very close to 3800 fps out of a 223, so it too has spectacular results. I have pushed varmint grenades to almost 4000 fps, but am not impressed with their lack of consistency from lot to lot. Also, not near as explosive as the videos lead you to believe.

Twist won't be a problem unless you a trying to shoot real heavy bullets. I have also found the 223 to be very easy to load for. They are not picky about powder, brass OAL, or bullets. Makes them a sweet rifle for beginnig reloaders to learn and experiment on.
 
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