Projectiles for 223 longer range

[B4408]

At the Missedathon I tried shooting the 500m gong with my CZ 223 sporter. Got on target eventually but as soon as the breeze came up I was way off. I was using Sierra 55gGK and BM2. The Sierras are cheap and accurate enough is there better for long range?

I understand that the higher BC and higher velocity of a bullet helps trajectory and drift. So what projectiles should I try remembering it is a 1:12 twist barrel.
I only want it for shits and giggles on gongs and hoping to get as much as possible out of the rifle I have.

Regards
Bruce

[Jacko9]

53 grain vmax.
69 grain hollow point boat tail. Pretty sure it's a matchking

[Con]

Cheaper to learn to read the wind. I'd just shoot a quality 52/53gr match pill and learn how to accomodate the breeze.
Cheers...
Con

[Camel]

Yep, agree with what Con is saying.

Jacko his rifle has a 1 -12 so 69gners will be totally useless to him.

Wonder how long it will take for someone to come out with the old, "rebarrel to a 1-8 or 9" chestnut.

[B4408]

Con, agree but if I can use a better projectile as well is what I was thinking.
Perhaps I won't have much to gain by changing projectiles.

Are the manufacturers BC figures comparable or only within each brand?

Bruce

[Camel]

The are a rough guide I think Bruce, I don't go into the BC stuff it just confuses me, so I keep it simple and use what ever shoots the best.

[bimbo]

I reckon you won't gain much if you are stuck with a 1:12 twist. Maybe try something like a Berger 52 or 55 gr projectile.
I have shot the 70gr berger vlds out of a 1:9 twist and way out yonda they are dropping much less than the 55gr vmax and bucking the wind a bit better.
Best bet it to buy another gun to shoot longer ranges for fun

[aushunter]

Are the manufacturers BC figures comparable or only within each brand?

Bruce

No mate, not comparable. Nosler are known to exaggerate their BC.

[aaronraad]

Yep, agree with what Con is saying.

Jacko his rifle has a 1 -12 so 69gners will be totally useless to him.

Wonder how long it will take for someone to come out with the old, "rebarrel to a 1-8 or 9" chestnut.

I would have, but I doubt the loaded round would still fit in the CZ magazine?

[stinkitup]

If it shoots the 55s well enough then prpb just more time at 500 with a target. Go to 300 then out to 500 a slippery'r pill won't replace time and exp esp wind reading.

[B4408]

Aushunter, thats what I suspected.
Aaronraad, out of interest what is OAL for these long projectiles if You use a 1:9 or 8?

Sounds like I will stick to my current load, may be fine tune it, and just get more trigger time.

Bruce

[Ackley Improved]

Uphill battle mate. Just shoot and enjoy! I have seen numerous guys miss the sight in plate at the 500m Fly with big bangers with big BC bullets... with flags. When that wind messes with you don't matter what you're pointing. Definitely increase the chance of hits though having better BC bullets.

I run 69's and 75's in my 223 and it is pretty accurate out long. Only put down one 5 shot group out yonder so far, 540m went 5.3" for 5 shots, about 6" to the right of my aiming point. So on that with 2 of the shot out further to the right in the group they would have missed a plate!

[220]

53Vmax might be worth a try, the listed BC for them is better than just about anything else in the weight range.
If they shoot as well as your current load then they should holdup a bit better at longer range, not going to be a massive improvement but I guess every little bit helps.

[aaronraad]

Aushunter, thats what I suspected.
Aaronraad, out of interest what is OAL for these long projectiles if You use a 1:9 or 8?

Sounds like I will stick to my current load, may be fine tune it, and just get more trigger time.

Bruce

The OAL bounces around a bit depending on each projectile's ogive and the throat cut as part of the chambering, let alone the magazine length.

A Sierra 55gr FMJ has a 0.411" long ogvie, while an 80gr Berger VLD has a 0.567" long ogvie, you could roughly say that both projectiles (seated using the same die settings), the Berger would add an extra 0.156" to the OAL. The Berger also has a longer shank and boat-tail so you would end up losing case capacity. To bring the bases back to level (case capacity) you would have to move the Berger forward by another 0.189" by adjusting . So now the Berger is sitting 0.345"(8.7mm) further forward. The ogive radius make a difference so these are just estimates and I think the Sierra 55gr SBT GK is 0.725" long but I don't know it's other details.

With the 1:12" twist you might get some improved long range results using the plastic tipped projectiles with slightly higher BC or going to a 60gr but not much more in the 223R. Even the Nosler 60gr BT recommends a 1:10" barrel though.

You could side-step the issue slightly and ackley the 223R for another 7-8% case capacity.

The 223R will never be a 22-250R until they let us have triple-base powders maybe.

[stinkitup]

As mentioned the 53vmax is a very slippery pill, but I think it needs a 1:10 in 223 and may get by with a 1:12 with the 22-250.

I think I have some 52 bergers here you can try if you like.

Ryan