Author Topic: What bullet wt shoots good in your Handi .223 1:9 twist? (Read 940 times)

thejanitor · « **on:** November 20, 2010, 02:38:31 PM »

I just bought a 1:9 twist 223 handi barrel, it isn't here yet but I am asking those of you that have a 1:9 223 handi what wt bullets shoot good in it? So I can buy some and try. I was told that heavier bullets will probably work best but lighter may work with a little extra tweaking. So please let me know which bullet weights shoot good for you, I will be reloading for it so if you say "winchester white box" I am more after the wt of bullet. So please post that as well if you don't mind. Thanks I appreciate all info since I am new to .223 and don't want to waste money on bullets that won't print huntable groups.
Thanks thejanitor

sureshot2040 · « **Reply #1 on:** November 20, 2010, 02:43:15 PM »

just guessing but from what i have learned over the years from 223's i have owned is the 1:9 twist should handle 55-62 grain bullets well and possibly up to 70 grain

sureshot

Lon371 · « **Reply #2 on:** November 20, 2010, 02:49:40 PM »

I dont reload for mine yet. But mine really likes the Remington and Fiochi both in 55 gr. Let us know when you get'er loaded up and shooten.

Lonny

PowPow · « **Reply #3 on:** November 20, 2010, 03:20:06 PM »

I had one like yours.

Good results with the following:
SIE GK 65gr SBT with Varget
SPEER 70gr SP with H380
HDY 40 Vmax with H380

Also tried these, and moved on:
bullets
SIE MK 52 & 69 HPBT
HDY 52 HPBT
MS VNE 55 gr SP
powders
R-15
W748
H322

Flynmoose · « **Reply #4 on:** November 20, 2010, 03:42:46 PM »

I have a 1in9 Handi 223. It likes Nosler 50gr psps and BLC2 powder.
It shoots this load well enough that I looked no further. You will enjoy
yours when you do get it!
FM

canon6 · « **Reply #5 on:** November 20, 2010, 05:11:44 PM »

Mine does just fine with 60 gr Nosler Partition, and RL 15 powder. Doug

thejanitor · « **Reply #6 on:** November 20, 2010, 05:58:55 PM »

Thanks All! This is what I needed to know. I will try to post when I have some loads, but it will be a couple weeks at least.... no barrel, no dies... Just some 55gr bullets and some brass. Barrel is somewhere en route So maybe by the end of next weekend I should have dies and the barrel will be here. Thanks thejanitor

thejanitor · « **Reply #7 on:** December 16, 2010, 05:13:56 AM »

Shot some 55 gr bullets just to get some through the new bore. Loaded a bunch of 55 gr varmint bullets at a medium to upper medium load (set the powdwer measure and just dropped a bunch weighing each 10th one).. Went out and shot at 67 yds (its all we had) and was ok with the group since I did no ladder test and didn't really work at a good load it did fine. It seems to have potential. Now for serious loads I always weigh every charge.
Now for our hog trip I will load a 55 gr hunting bullet and be sighted in exactly for 70 yds (thats how far we will be off the bait) And this gun will be along and will not be the first one to see action, but if we get a couple pigs down we are going to try a shot to see how penetration is on a neck/head for reference. if it works ok I hope to actually kill a hog with it, but we will not shoot a live one until after we see how the bullet performs on one we already put down. (The 45-70 will be the first up to bat.)
I have some 60 grn Hornady spitzer type I may try as well but want to get the 55 gr bullets dialed in for a good load before I switch to something new. Just an update of the progress.
I also loaded and shot a 4gr Trail boss load to just hear how loud it was and it was not as quiet as I thought it would be but it lacked some of the crack of a 22 lr.
thejanitor

dks7895 · « **Reply #8 on:** December 16, 2010, 06:18:24 AM »

Your 1:9 twist should stabilze 45-69gr bullets just fine. I have been using 50gr varmit grenades, 55gr VMAX and 55gr SP. All with H335. They group very well and I have taken a deer with the 55gr SP. It was a complete pass thru at about 60 yards and the lungs were trashed. I would definately do some penetration tests on a hog before trying to kill one with a 223. They are a lot thicker skinned and I would use a soft point bullet. The ballistic tip stuff will not penetrate enough. Winchester makes a 64gr PowerPoint that may be worth checking out.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #9 on:** December 16, 2010, 06:46:37 AM »

Here's Lilja's twist rate chart, I'd go with a heavier bullet for hogs, the 70gr Speer looks like a good one to me, the reviews at Midway speak well to it's effectiveness on deer, the 60gr Nosler partition would be another, it and the 64gr Win PP shoot well even in 1:12" twist Handis.

Have fun on the hunt Brent, and Merry Christmas to you and yours!!

Tim

http://www.riflebarrels.com/products/caliber_twist_rates.htm

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=126472

thejanitor · « **Reply #10 on:** December 16, 2010, 07:03:57 AM »

Thanks Tim- We hope to SEE some and then hope to shoot some.... The owner says there are hogs on the land so it will be a hide and seek challenge and also a matter of several baits out and see where we can work an active one. My friend I am going with has a trail cam but we will have no way to view the pics

So we will see what we can come up with for that.
But I have a few handis ready for a field trip, and a lever 35 rem. So I just need a chance and then not blowing it will put some pork on the table.
60 grain is the heaviest bullet I have right now for the .223, and the barrel should be all worn in nice by the trip, so some 60 grainers will have to do, and if they don't make the grade will be kept for coyote if they are included in our TX hunting license, and I am not sure they are, I believe we only get to shoot non-native TX animals. We are awaiting the new regs. But no matter what.... TX is 80 degrees today, we are 12, hmmmm I wonder if we will have fun?

Merry Christmas! thejanitor

s_hawk · « **Reply #11 on:** December 16, 2010, 07:17:34 AM »

The 55gr Hornady V-Max Moly has worked great for me!
Hawk

watkibe · « **Reply #12 on:** December 16, 2010, 03:53:16 PM »

I have loaded bullets from 45 gr to 70 gr, and they have all performed well in my 1:9 223 barrel.

torpedoman · « **Reply #13 on:** December 16, 2010, 05:01:36 PM »

52gr jhp by calhoon shoots the very best, other bullets, same wt ,same design, do not shoot as good.

Rustyinfla · « **Reply #14 on:** December 16, 2010, 06:09:23 PM »

When I took my lightweight youth out for a walk the other day I found out that it prints
Remington 55 gr FMJ and Federal 45 gr HP's to the same point of aim.

thejanitor · « **Reply #15 on:** December 16, 2010, 06:56:25 PM »

Rusty- Thats cool! I will know more after I get more of a variety of bullets. I loaded a ladder test for the 60 gr hornady bullets tonight. So hope to find the best grouping for them this weekend. Just hope the wind is down. But once I find the best groups for a few bullet weights then I can compare poi like you did and note where they differ.
So far this barrel has been another fun project. Hmmm I figure winter is about three projects long, back to the classifieds.

thejanitor