I was pleasantly suprised today with the first firing of my 223 AB barrel. I had reservations about the 1-14 twist but I have less than 1.5" @ 200yds on a stevens action with no trigger work. I am very impressed with it and the price.
Wondering bullet types others are using in 223 AB barrels? What is the heaviest you can shoot effectively with this twist?
Forgot to ad that I was shooting 55 gr V-max over 26 gr 2230
I have their .223AI barrel so I get a little higher velocities, but the 60gr Sierra HP flat base bullet shoots amazing w/ H4985. It also likes Nosler 50gr B tips and I shoot a reduced load w/ a 35gr. Vmax and Blue Dot that is very accurate and fun to shoot
Probably about 55-60 gr. The greenhill formula says about .71" is the max length but I find the greenhill formula is very conservative.
I shot 50 gr bergers and 52 gr amax bullets in mine.
The 52 gr amax is my favorite 223 bullet though and loaded over about 12.5 gr of bluedot shoots about 1/4"
Be careful with bluedot if you try to use it.
What kind of velocity are you getting with the blue dot? And what is the advantage of using it?
Its a reduced load, with more of a pop than a crack.
Seems like I was getting around 2400.
Drilled a beaver in the head with it at about 100 yards.
I have been shooting my A&B 223 Varmint for over a year now. It shoots very, very well, just a bit of a fouler. It shoots half inch groups at 100 without trying too hard. Haven't been able to get it much tighter than that though, at least consistently. Still playing with the loads too.
I just picked up some of the 52gr Amax's not too long ago, have high hopes for them.
Have fun with the barrel, I love mine!
I am hoping the new 308 tactical barrel shoots as well. I will get it out on the range this week and see what is up with that one.
My reduced loads w/ Blue Dot in my A&B 223AI were: 12.5gr. Blue Dot, 35gr. Horn V max. I get 3100FPS. As Tammons said, its a POP. With no wind, I can shoot these loads into .4" group at 100yds. I have shot good groups out to 150yds. Then it drops like a brick. I killed a large woodchuck w/ it at abou 80yds. Slammed it, no exit hole. Fell right over, never moved.
Here is my disclaimer: Load any reduced load very carefully as you can DOUBLE CHARGE. So the danger is that both the pressure can spike in these reduced loads as you increase the charge and that you can double charge them if your not careful. So load at your own risk.
I have adopted the habit of always turning my cases over, tapping them on the bench b4 charging- I do this w/ my 6brx, 260AI F class rifles, hunting loads, pistol loads, everything. I have had, tumbling media come out, etc. I feel its a wise habit.
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks