SmallCaliberCentral

I'm looking at picking up my 1st .223 and I've got some questions around the bullets and the different twist rates. For those who have .223's, what is your favorite go to bullet for varmints. I'd prefer a little heavier bullet since I've got the lighter stuff covered with my beloved .204!

This one will be in an AR platform. I figured I better complete my rifle before the prez to be get's in office and hoses everything up.

Anyways, any input would be appreciated. Once I figure out the twist rate and what bullets I want to try, I'll probably be back asking for some pet loads!

Most 1:9 twist will stabilize the 69 gr Sierra or Nosler HPBT (bullet brands are interchangeable for me). In my standard 223 bolt rifles and my AR with 24" barrel, bullet leaves the muzzle at 3000 fps with H4895 or Benchmark (BM is easier to meter in a Dillon).

BUT....if you are going to have a rifle built, I would HIGHLY recommend a 223 AI chamber.

This is the only small caliber that approaches the 204 in performance...but does it with heavier bullets. You should be able to get 3300 with 69 gr bullets and 3150 with 75 gr AMax's.

But, you will have a hard time getting the LLLLLong 75 gr AMax's to fit....in fact, you won't get them to fit the mag.

You will be able to seat the 75 gr Hornady HPBT bullets and they deliver good performance in the AR platform as well. Only 23 gr of Benchmark is used...sorry, did not have the chronograph with so I cannot give any more info on that.

Has anybody tried the 60 or 65 gr bullets?

I've had an AR built for shooting Prairie Dogs with a 1/14 twist and it handles the 40gr Hornady V-Max as well as my .204 does with the 39gr SBKs...

I differentiate between Varmints (Prairie Dogs, etc) and Predators (Coyotes, fox, etc.)

I also have a .223 with a 1/9 twist that gives me more flexibility in loads, but is used for a different purpose... I used to have a 1/7 twist AR that I never did find a load it liked and sold it...Maybe it was a 'bad barrel', but never the less...

This one will mostly be shooting prairie poodles and paper with the occasional coyote. I'm leaning towards something that will shoot a little heavier bullet (something in the 50-60 grain range). Anything lighter than that, I've got covered with my .204. Berger has got some 52 and 55 grain Match Varmint bullets that look interesting.

Since 60gr is about the max weight you're considering, I'd stick with between between the 1/9 or 1/12 twist rate... My 1/14 will allow me to go up to the 55gr bullets and gets "iffy" after that.... My 1/9 will handle up to the 70-74gr if I'm careful and very selective on bullet and powder, but it will eat the 64gr really well....

The Berger 55gr Match (p/n 224055) is a favorite in my 1-9 twist Savage BGTV bolt gun. This is NOT the match varmint bullet p/n 224055M. 25.3 grains of H355 with a Rem 7 1/2 primer. OAL 2.270 from tip to base. This is a MAX load so work your way up.
At the end of last season I tried this same load in my Les Baer AR, also a 1-9 twist, and they shot fantastic!! My other favorite AR load is 25.1gr Varget, Rem 7 1/2, and the Sierra 69gr HPBT, OAL 2.265. Not sure how either load works on critters,but they sure put a hurtin on targets.

Thanks for the info. I placed the order for 500 pieces of brass tonight and Sierra's ballistic software. I had some gift cards from Christmas to use up so I figured I might as well get some more reloading stuff!