223 velocities

[mitchellchandler_au]

Hi all,

I have just been doing some load testing with my 223 for Fclass standard the velocities are around 2810fps in my 28 inch MAB the groups around .350 at 100 metres and the ES is around 10 fps. Iam using 25.0 of AR2208.

Will 2810 be enough for the 223 out to 900 yards?

thanks,

mitchell

[Kenny]

Mitchell

I presume you are using a 55 gn pill There are a couple of F class shooters in here that can probably give you a better answer but I will chuck my 2c worth in

At 900yds your bullet will be subsonic going through the target and as I understand it....and I may be wrong but...when the bullet drops out of supersonic speed it can become 'unstable' and is basically falling out of the sky, perhaps tumbling or yawing.
According to mr Sierras drop chart, a 200yrd zero will get you about a 15 metre drop at 2800fps/900yds.

Maybe try a faster powder like BM2 it should get you about 3200fps if you work up to it carefully. The pills should still be supersonic at 900yds...just, and the drop will be about 10m

Having said that, don't be detered from trying what you have got, it may be fine as is. The proof is in the pudding

KY

[shane]

Hey Mitch,
I think you woud be using 77gn or 80gn projectiles for long range in the .223, yes?

If so both will be still just supersonic at 900 yards so they should be fine.

But what twist is the barrel? This may be a problem if it is too slow.
cheers,
Shane

[mitchellchandler_au]

Hey all,

I should of been a little clearer, but iam using the 80gn SMK. I would like more veocity if I could but the case is very near full with 25.0 of 2208, so maybe I will just have to put up with 2810fps. My twist is 8 twist MAB at 28 inch my next barrel will be 30 inch.I think, any thoughts on that?

Thanks for your help

[shane]

Mate the twist is fine.

30" can be handy to get velocity right up on those heavy proj.

may well be worth trying some 2206H, which is slightly faster than 2208 and may help pick up some velocity.
cheers,
Shane

[jimbo]

may well be worth trying some 2206H, which is slightly faster than 2208 and may help pick up some velocity.
cheers,
Shane[/quote]

You are right there...223's and ADI 2206H were just made for each other. Don't overlook the 69gn Sierra and the weights in the seventies. The 80gn is a great bullet but if you sacrifice some velocity, it tends to cancel out the weight advantage.