Author Topic: 223 range report (Read 1372 times)

bub524 · « **on:** August 10, 2007, 06:17:21 PM »

Took my 223 Ultra out to the range today after having sit since last fall. I have been kind of disgusted with it because it wouldn't shoot anything less then a 4-5 inch group at 100 yds.
Was going to sell it. After reading some recent posts I tried it again with the rest under the hinge area instead of on the forearm. It shot a 1 1/4" to 1 1/2" groups at 150 and 200 yds.!! The best groups were with 69gr. HP match bullets!! I was astounded! Its a keeper. It still has less than 100 rounds thru it.
This forum is great, thats for sure. So are the folks posting here who share their info.
Thanks all.
Bob

Mac11700 · « **Reply #1 on:** August 10, 2007, 06:21:08 PM »

Glad you found a load that will work for ya...Keep shooting it...it should settle down even more for you...

Mac

wcf3030 · « **Reply #2 on:** August 10, 2007, 07:08:59 PM »

Must.....Have.......More......info......

What brand of bullets, powder and charge used?

PHATINJUN · « **Reply #3 on:** August 11, 2007, 04:59:22 AM »

I have some 69gr Match Kings loaded with IMR4064 that shoot very well out of my 1-9 twist bull bbl. Don't have a chrony but they shoot 2" and less at 200yards.Kurt

wcf3030 · « **Reply #4 on:** August 11, 2007, 05:06:21 AM »

Peanut,

Have you tried any heavier bullets?
I've had great results with 75gr bullets and Varget in my 1-9 twist ultra.

OR-E-Gun Bill · « **Reply #5 on:** August 11, 2007, 05:56:24 AM »

bub524 , if your 223 is a 1:9 twist then your findings are similar to mine. I have tried numerous factory & handloads in mine and had no success with anything under 55 grains. I started looking to the "dark side" and began testing 60 gr. V-max, 64 gr. Win.PP, 68 gr. Hornady BTHP Match, and 75 gr. A-Max with suprizing results. Loading out close to the lands has improved the loads even more. Granted, with the excessive freebore in the Handi, some of these loads look outragious but they work for me. I know from reading hear on this forum that few people experience the "light bullet" problems with their 1:9 Handi 223. I guess I'm one of the few that did but found what my Handi 223 likes, heavy bullets.

Bill

EDIT: Correction on terminology. Thanx Tim.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #6 on:** August 11, 2007, 06:02:01 AM »

Quote from: OR-E-Gun Bill on August 11, 2007, 05:56:24 AM

Granted, with the excessive headspace in the Handi, some of these loads look outragious but they work for me.

I hope you meant free bore or bullet jump!

Tim

OR-E-Gun Bill · « **Reply #7 on:** August 11, 2007, 06:15:35 AM »

Yes Tim. Must be the oldtimers I guess. I will go back and edit my error so I don't appear to be dumber than a box of rocks.

Thanx,

Bill

quickdtoo · « **Reply #8 on:** August 11, 2007, 06:26:10 AM »

wcf3030 · « **Reply #9 on:** August 11, 2007, 06:28:06 AM »

Hey OR-E-Gun Bill,

What was your load using the 68 PP? That sounds like a good "small" deer round.

OR-E-Gun Bill · « **Reply #10 on:** August 11, 2007, 06:52:58 AM »

Quote from: wcf3030 on August 11, 2007, 06:28:06 AM

Hey OR-E-Gun Bill,

What was your load using the 68 PP? That sounds like a good "small" deer round.

The Winchester 64 gr. PP load I've used both Varget & H4895. Similar results using 26 gr. of either.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #11 on:** August 11, 2007, 07:21:13 AM »

The 64gr Win PP bullet as well as the factory ammo has been reported to shoot very well out of the 1:12" 223 barrels also, for those interested in a heavier bullet.

Tim

bub524 · « **Reply #12 on:** August 11, 2007, 05:38:33 PM »

I'll check on the load in the morning. It was mil surp brass with Sierra 69 gr. HPBT and I think H335, but I have to check.

bub524 · « **Reply #13 on:** August 12, 2007, 10:08:54 AM »

The load is 22.7 gr. of H322 with a 69g HPBT Sierra.
Their book lists 23.6g as max load for this bullet. Load cautiously!

wcf3030 · « **Reply #14 on:** August 12, 2007, 11:33:29 AM »

Thanks.

georgeld · « **Reply #15 on:** August 13, 2007, 08:12:32 PM »

Good to know this twist.

I've never used heavier than 55's in my 14".
and they're one holers but, that's a Sako too.

Been thinking about getting a .223 tube for a NEF as I shoot them by the buckets full.

Sure wouldn't have been happy with the results I can see that from reading this.

Tim: save me looking for an hour, do they make a slower twist for this?

Thanks much, good luck to all,

George

quickdtoo · « **Reply #16 on:** August 13, 2007, 09:01:38 PM »

There's twist rate info in the FAQs, the only way to know what the twist rate is, is to check it with a rod and patched jag, H&R has no clue what it is other than 1:9" or 1:12", they've switched back and forth since 2005. $:-\$

Tim

prairiedog555 · « **Reply #17 on:** August 20, 2007, 12:08:40 PM »

So, I have an order in for a .223 22" Bull from the factory, and you are telling me that they cannot verify what twist rate is on the barrel they are selling me!!!

Anybody know what they have been sent recently? My gun is at H&R right now being fitted.

Thanks

quickdtoo · « **Reply #18 on:** August 20, 2007, 12:10:17 PM »

Currently it should be 1:9" from recent reports, but that seems to change from time to time. $:-\$ IIRC, the superlight barrels are still 1:12".

Tim

PHATINJUN · « **Reply #19 on:** August 20, 2007, 12:17:25 PM »

No I have not tried anything over 69gr but when I fire up the reloader again I think I will try some of the heaviest that I can find. Kurt

MOGLEY · « **Reply #20 on:** August 20, 2007, 04:12:27 PM »

O.K I am confused. For lighter bullets you should have the slower 1in 12 twist? I would like to shoot the 243 55 gr bullets.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #21 on:** August 20, 2007, 04:21:26 PM »

Getting off topic, but the 243 only comes with a 1:10" twist so there's no choice in the matter. That said, most 243 H&Rs show a preference for lighter or heavier bullets, but some shoot all bullet weights just fine, 55gr to 100gr. My personal opinion on the heavy vs lighter bullet controversy is the bullets that fit the bore best are the ones that shoot best. If you measure the diameter of bullets with a micrometer, you'll see subtle differences in diameter from one brand to another, I think that's more of the issue with the shallow rifling of the .223 not shooting the heavier longer bullets and the 243 not shooting both light and heavy, depends on the bullet diameter more than weight.....at least that's my view on the matter anyway!!!

Tim

PartsMan · « **Reply #22 on:** August 21, 2007, 06:15:27 AM »

Quote from: prairiedog555 on August 20, 2007, 12:08:40 PM

So, I have an order in for a .223 22" Bull from the factory, and you are telling me that they cannot verify what twist rate is on the barrel they are selling me!!!

Anybody know what they have been sent recently? My gun is at H&R right now being fitted.

Thanks

The factory should know what they have now.
The problem is that when you buy a new gun you are not ordering from the factory.
You order form a dealer who orders from the distributor.
If either one of them has it in stock there is no telling how old it is.
My 25-06 was 3 years old when I bought it new.

Big Al in Nebr · « **Reply #23 on:** August 21, 2007, 09:24:48 AM »

Just got my Ultra last Sat. mounted a Mueller 4x14 APV..immediately went to the range but didn't check the twist right away. UltraMax 75grains shot the best. (1 1/2 @ 100) My brother and I put close to 200 rounds through it. Shoot 5 and clean, repeat. I bought the 75's as a "break-in" round and so I shot those first

. After shooting some 45's , 50's and 55's (not so well) I finally get around to checking the twist. DUH!

At least now I have some brass to reload.

The funny part of the day was that my brother fell in love with this rifle and he tends to be a bit of a rifle snob. I'm guessing he'll be owning one soon. Mine definitely needs a trigger job, broke very crisp and clean but HEAVY!

By the way, Mueller scope was very nice, clear out to the edges and accurate adjustments.