.223 Range?

Ducimus

Ducimus

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Stock Savage 10FP in .223 with a 10x scope and quality factory ammo - what would be the maximum effective range with this setup?
 
Range would be dependent on Ballistics only pretty much. And the .223 is a good Varmint gun to 300 meters plus, and more on paper. Depending on BC, barrel twist rate, some folks can keep the heavy bullets stable to 800 meters I guess. Would have to get input from someone that shoots that far with that cal. 500 meters no problem. Hope his helps a bit.
Also read this http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=87457
 
If the 10X scope was an elite 3200 or something with 80 or more min and mildots and you shimmed the scope properly, pushing 75gr Amax to 1 mile shouldn't be much of an issue. Your max range is totally dependent on how much elevation you have.

However, wind drift will be much higher then other LR choices.

There is little issue with going subsonic. I have yet to shoot an Amax bullet that loss practical accuracy when it went subsonic.

If you can get your rifle to shoot 1/2 to 3/4 MOA at 500yds (not that hard), then 1.5 to 2MOA at 1mile is well within reason. This is mechanical accuracy. Your ability to dope conditions is an entirely different issue.

Jerry
 
If you're looking for long range accuracy, do yourself the biggest favor and start re-loading. You'll appreciate the efforts of shooting your own ammo and you'll get 3 times the accuracy from your rifle. Just my $0.02.

-Jason
 
I've had no issues out to 800 m with my handloads in my savage .223. going to try 1000 m soon, wind can play with the round, however, working with a good partner helps.
 
There is a misconception that bullets suddenly go wild after they go subsonic. The vast majority of bullets have no issue slowing down. Some may veer a little but only a few start to destabilize (you can include twist theory in there for good measure).

max distance is truly a function of your ability to adjust your aiming device to account for the enormous drop and the huge drift that can occur.

If you have a ballistic program that works out to 1000yds, you can use that data to walk you to any distance you choose. Expect accuracy to become quite generous so spotters have to be prepared to look several feet AWAY from the target.

While shooting to a mile, I had lost quite a few shots. The bullets simply didn't 'arrive'. After quite a bit of frustration, I decided to start looking well away from where the bullet was supposed to land.

At that range, a crosswind had started up and the bullet was eventually spotted a little over 2 mil dots away. let's call that 8.5 to 9min of extra windage or approx 153 inches/ 12 3/4 ft.

so no matter what you shoot, if you want to give LR shooting a try, simple do so. You will be amazed at how well the average bullet travels.

Jerry
 
So there wouldn't a huge advantage to move up to .308 if I want to keep it under 1000m. I was thinking .223 because the rifle and ammo is cheaper and it would be easier to convince my wife to try shooting .223.
 
Ballistically, they are twins (308/223). Your wife and you will enjoy the way lower recoil, report, and cost in shooting the 223.

For short range, 40 to 55gr bullets like Sierra Matchkings or Hornady Amax/Vmax. For long range, 75gr Amax/77gr Nosler Comp-Sierra Matchkings. Some rifles will also shoot the 80gr bullets so test and tune to your needs.

Jerry
 
fed007 said:
How much holdover is required for a 223 at 6-800 m? (lets say the bulk 55 grain stuff)

f7
Click to expand...

If you are shooting this far holdover is not how it is done. The sights/scope are adjusted and you aim at the center of the target. 55gr bulk bullets would not be the best thing to use at this distace.
A .223 rifle with the right twist and bullet weight will work out to 1000 yard or 900m. There are no 1000m range here in Ontario, so I can't comment on what will work at 1000m.
 
mysticplayer said:
There is a misconception that bullets suddenly go wild after they go subsonic. The vast majority of bullets have no issue slowing down. Some may veer a little but only a few start to destabilize (you can include twist theory in there for good measure).

max distance is truly a function of your ability to adjust your aiming device to account for the enormous drop and the huge drift that can occur.

If you have a ballistic program that works out to 1000yds, you can use that data to walk you to any distance you choose. Expect accuracy to become quite generous so spotters have to be prepared to look several feet AWAY from the target.

While shooting to a mile, I had lost quite a few shots. The bullets simply didn't 'arrive'. After quite a bit of frustration, I decided to start looking well away from where the bullet was supposed to land.

At that range, a crosswind had started up and the bullet was eventually spotted a little over 2 mil dots away. let's call that 8.5 to 9min of extra windage or approx 153 inches/ 12 3/4 ft.

so no matter what you shoot, if you want to give LR shooting a try, simple do so. You will be amazed at how well the average bullet travels.

Jerry
Click to expand...


Further to this, I have been shooting some flat based Alberta Wildcat 150's out of my two iron sighted match rifles the last few days.
Trying for the 1K target, they simply ran out of steam, but were right on for windage, they were not veering off or anything crazy like that .
A whole bunch of hold over put them on the mark!
We had a crazy head wind, so they were falling short, even with the Central sight all the way up.
At 700 there were no issues at all, I plunked them regularly onto a rock that is about 1'X18" prone.
Cat
 
The 223 is a nice caliber, I shoot my AR at 600m every week with 75gr BTHP(2900fps).
The wind is the big factor to consider here, in a calm day no problem shooting at 900m.

But as soon as the wind pick up, forget about the 223, the 308 will finnish on top.

In regards to shooting lighter bullets, keep it under 300 meters.

Long range shooting needs reloaded ammo, to shoot factory and expect top velocity and extreme spread under 20fps is not reallistic
 
I have a sporter weight Sako A1 in 223, i can hit peices of broken clays most of the time at 300 metres, some of the time at 400 metres and very rarely at 500 metres, the wind just does to much.
 
Don't be afraid to push yourself and your equipement. If you learn to dope the wind with a .22LR at 200 yards (it's cheaper), you can read the wind for 1000. It all comes down to practice, practice, practice. Just my $0.02.

-Jason
 
martin, I encourage you to keep shooting at those 'impossible' targets at 500yds. Will not take too long before your hit ratio improves.

Take more time to look at the conditions, wind and mirage. Get an idea of where that bullet should land, adjust, fire. If the doping is correct, the bullet will hit or at least be very close.

I find I shoot a lot less and watch a whole lot more. My hit ratio even is high winds has improved alot. Having a repeatable and reliable rifle is a must. You need to know that you CAN hit the target even if you don't due to conditions.

I bet 200 to 400rds of concentrated shooting and you will increase your hit ratio by over 50%.

Jerry
 
shooting 55s @ 3000 fps, (1:12 twist), with my elevation turret. 18 or 19 moa of lift. Ballistic program later told me it had to of been close to 600 Y.

accuracy prone with bipod was accurate enough to make it fun.

a 1:8 twist loaded with accurate 75 grainers should make 1000. good cheap fun!
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