223 cratering primers

[Dave Hoback]

My pleasure partner.

[J.Baker]

With only shooting out to 300 yards why would I need anything else? Just punching paper.

If you're only shooting out to 300 yards, why would you think you need a 1-7.5" twist? At that distance you get no benefit from the longer/heavier VLD-style match bullets which is the only reason you would need that fast of a twist with a .223. I would recommend sticking with the standard 1-9" twist and stick to bullets in the 50-60gr weight range for those distances.

Just a quick example with the 52gr Hornady ELD-M match bullet

MV = 3250 (conservative)
Zero Range = 200 yards
Scope Height = 1.8"

At 100 yards you would be 1.26 MOA high (5 clicks down), and at 300 you would be 2.3 MOA low (3 clicks up)

[Dave Hoback]

I will say, while I do agree with the above, use a twist no faster than needed, 223 seems to be one that handles twist rates better than so many other cartridges. Of the many, many AR’s I’ve built/assembled, owned & fired, I’ve used 1:7, 1:8 & 1:9. With them I’ve sent 40gr-77gr through all three with no real problems to speak of. I do prefer 1:8 myself though.

[KMW1954]

Here in SE Wisconsin it seems the wind is never not blowing plus the 77 and 80gr bullets seem to be plentiful. Then there is scuttlebutt that the range is possibly going to expand to 600/1k yards. Also when I started with the Model 10 it shot the 69gr much better than any 55gr I tried and the 60gr are near impossible to find..

[Rflshootr]

Follow these rules with firing pins and you won't have a problem caused by the firing pin. I've lived by this for many years and it works. This is the correct way to set up a firing pin. Pay attention to the difference between small and large rifle primers. This is exactly what you've changed.
Watch the 2nd video and pay close attention to the "rules"! It can get a bit confusing, so have a paper and pencil to write the info down.

Firing pin design and fit (video mini lesson) - AGI Gunsmiths (milsurps.com)