Best Heavy 223 Bullet?

[kthomas]

Maple,

I would take precision over BC, especially if the difference in BC is pretty small.

Try out the Berger 85.5 Hybrids. While I haven't tried those particular bullets, I've always have had great success with hybrids in 6mm, 6.5mm and .30 Cal. They are my go-to bullet in any new cartridge I start.

The BC isn't much worse then the 88 ELD's, so you aren't giving up much. If BC is ultimate priority, then try out the 90 grain Hornady A-tips

 

[Mike112288]

I like the idea of running 88’s in a 223 but I have to agree with you. Why not rather down load a slightly bigger cartridge to shoot the 88’s. I don’t wanna stretch the limit on a 223 to fire the 88’s. The 75 eldm’s is prob all I will use for my 223. Think I’ll call that the comfortable limit for mine anyway. Valkyrie requires a 6.8 spc bolt face right? So that one would be out of the question for me I think. Plus it’s not very popular compared to the br and creed

 

[BigRobb]

I decided I’m going to throat my barrel for the 80gr eld-m. It’s pretty long already. I should be able to run a factory unmodified magazine. I ordered a couple hundred 88gr bullets too, but will just seat them further in. I should be good to run up to 90gr bergers in my configuration. Still not sure about the 69gr. Found this info helpful. https://www.jbmballistics.com/ballistics/lengths/lengths.shtml

 

[Maple57]

Thanks for your thoughts and well wishes guys. I'll keep you posted.

kthomas , Those 90 grain Hornady A-tips look interesting... I think Dave Preston may have been using those at Meaford in September.

It's not as scary as some of you fear. I'm on my 4th reload and primers are still plenty tight.

I just finished loading some more ammo and had a thought that I probably should share with you all.

I'm using a very accurate (Vibra HT 220 0.0001g) scale to weigh my charges, and if you just have a normal scale without 0.002 grain precision, you will have to dial back probably up to half a grain from my loads to compensate for inaccuracy in your scale.

Plus I get real low velocity spreads, but again, largely because the scale is so accurate.

 

[Johnny Boom]

Thanks for your thoughts and well wishes guys. I'll keep you posted.

kthomas , Those 90 grain Hornady A-tips look interesting... I think Dave Preston may have been using those at Meaford in September.

Yes, Dave Preston was shooting a 6mm Creedmoor with Hornady 110gr A-Tips at Meaford. 3100ish FPS.

 

[Maple57]

Here's a link to a PDF from the DCRA magazine where they were developing loads for the 223 with 90 grainers back in 2008 and they were hitting 2900 FPS at that time. So really its unremarkable to be doing it 11 years later.

Page 19

http://www.dcra.ca/Marksman/Winter%20Spring%202008%20Edition.pdf

 

[kthomas]

Thanks for your thoughts and well wishes guys. I'll keep you posted.

kthomas , Those 90 grain Hornady A-tips look interesting... I think Dave Preston may have been using those at Meaford in September.

It's not as scary as some of you fear. I'm on my 4th reload and primers are still plenty tight.

I just finished loading some more ammo and had a thought that I probably should share with you all.

I'm using a very accurate (Vibra HT 220 0.0001g) scale to weigh my charges, and if you just have a normal scale without 0.002 grain precision, you will have to dial back probably up to half a grain from my loads to compensate for inaccuracy in your scale.

Plus I get real low velocity spreads, but again, largely because the scale is so accurate.

I don't think the 90 grain A-tips are out yet, but the A-tips have a "best in class" BC across the board compared to their counterparts, not including lathe turned solid projectiles.

When the 90 grain A-tip comes out, it will probably be a very good candidate for your project.

 

[BigRobb]

Was out today for the first time with the new build. 80gr Eld-m ladder revealed two distinct nodes. One at 2915fps, and one right at 3000. No pressure signs, but this brass is tough and am sure I’m right up there. Using reloader 15 and it looks promising.
Was able to throat the barrel to accommodate 80eld and 88 when I get around to them. The Hornady bullets are long in the nose so it shouldn’t be an issue running the heavier smk or 80 plus gr Bergers if I ever decide to pony up for the premium pills.

147eld, 88eld, 80eld, 68bthp

 

[Mike112288]

Those 80’s aren’t much shorter than the 88’s. wow

 

[Charleyinthewild]

To add a little context to the discussion....

View attachment 320852

22 Creedmoor on the left.... 223 Rem on the right... pretty close to the same OAL

View attachment 320854

MDT no binder plate..... modified polymer mag

Jerry

What mdt polymer mag (223 standard ) you run The 88 eldm in 223 ?

 

[iron cat]

I have shot some pretty good scores at 900 with 88 Hornady's in my 1:7 twist TR rifles, but not nearly as good as the 80 grain Bergers .
In my 1:6.5 twist Krieger the 90 grain Bergers are super as are the 95 grain Match Kings .
Bullets on the target mean far more the than BC does, once the wind starts blowing it's all acedemic! LOL
Cat

 

[peterdobson]

Many top shooters use Berger 85.5 with ISSC(longer throat) chamber.

Regards,

Peter

 

[remington jim]

Lots of F TR 223 shooters using the Berger 85.5 Hybrids . RJ

 

[Mysticprecision]

What mdt polymer mag (223 standard ) you run The 88 eldm in 223 ?

Today, I would run the new MDT STEEL mags with polymer innards. They seem to feed quite well and have a longer internal vs the polymer mags (these never fed reliably with longer heavier bullets for me). Why MDT will not offer a true long OAL 223 Mag is beyond me... maybe shooters should ask as it would be a very simple change in the liner and follower. With costs going up and shortages on everything, a hot rodded 223 is a great option.

The 88s should be a nice combo... but don't discount the 75gr ELDMs in the 223. All about balancing case volume, velocity, bullet characteristics.. and how far you want to shoot.

22cal heavies are way too much fun to launch so pick a few and enjoy. 8 and 7 twists are your friend. If I had to pick only 1, then it would be the 7 twist to handle everything that can live happily in a 223 Rem.

Jerry

 

[Charleyinthewild]

Today, I would run the new MDT STEEL mags with polymer innards. They seem to feed quite well and have a longer internal vs the polymer mags (these never fed reliably with longer heavier bullets for me). Why MDT will not offer a true long OAL 223 Mag is beyond me... maybe shooters should ask as it would be a very simple change in the liner and follower. With costs going up and shortages on everything, a hot rodded 223 is a great option.

The 88s should be a nice combo... but don't discount the 75gr ELDMs in the 223. All about balancing case volume, velocity, bullet characteristics.. and how far you want to shoot.

22cal heavies are way too much fun to launch so pick a few and enjoy. 8 and 7 twists are your friend. If I had to pick only 1, then it would be the 7 twist to handle everything that can live happily in a 223 Rem.

Jerry

I'm running The 75 eldm in my 1:8 tikka varmint for 2-3 year s but my barrel seem to be at The end of Is Life so thinking about a new one for heavy long bullet 80 ,88, 90 but i want to be feed in magazine for doing prs and coyote Hunting . Or going for 6 BR Way

 

[boxhitch]

so thinking about a new one for heavy long bullet 80 ,88, 90 but i want to be feed in magazine for doing prs and......

223 is a good prs trainer, but found out it isn't real suitable for real-world shooting
also if you think about NRL Hunter at all, it won't meet the minimum standards
great cartridge..in its place

 

[maifire]

And here i thought that my .63 100yd group with my 75gr otm was good enough to post…
Me sad

 

[Mysticprecision]

I'm running The 75 eldm in my 1:8 tikka varmint for 2-3 year s but my barrel seem to be at The end of Is Life so thinking about a new one for heavy long bullet 80 ,88, 90 but i want to be feed in magazine for doing prs and coyote Hunting . Or going for 6 BR Way

Unfortunately, no mag company wants to offer a 223 length to its fullest potential. Even the steel MDT neuters the possible length. 75gr ELD fit great.... I don't think you will have as much success if the bullets are much longer. Maybe up to 82gr?

The 90grs will not work as you should run them out towards 2.9" OAL.... Yes, the mag could support this but doesn't

If anyone knows how to CAD, I can 3D print the liner and follower. mysticprecision@gmail.com

Oh well... better then what was.

Jerry

 

[Bustercluck]

I think the question should be… what 308 bullet fired from a winchester case going at what speed would you need to beat the 85.5 berger going 2900fps out of a 223 rem out to 1000 yards?

 

[6MT]

With my match winning rig, I use the Berger 80gr VLD’s. Very accurate out to a kilometre (environmentals permitting). I’ve taken it as far as 1300m.

With 23.8gr of Varget out of a 26” barrel gives me 2915fps. That combined with a heavy rig gives me “the rifle with almost no recoil”. Very fun to shoot (on a calm day). If I were to go to the 85gr class of bullets, I would want the barrel to be around 29 or 30 inches.

I believe Jerry from Mystic has done similar or better with the .223 heavies.