40 grain bullets in 204 / 223

[poppybull]

Newbie, seeking EXPERT OPINION. I would like to shoot a 40 grain bullet at PD's. Will a 204, with a 1/12 twist hanldle this weight bullet better than a 1/9 twist 223???? Or am I making this choice too difficult and need to go buy a 204 and shoot the 32 grain ammo through it. It will be a dedicated PD gun.

Thanks for your help.

[Rick in Oregon]

poppy: Not sure about the "expert" part, but I think you're trying to make this harder than it really needs to be. Many 12 twist 204's shoot the 40's okay, most shoot the 39gr SBK quite well, including all three of mine (well, okay, one is an 11 twist set up just for the 39 and 40's).

A nine twist 223 should shoot the 40's okay, but you may have bullet jacket disintigration if you crank up the speed too much. A 12 twist 223 is about right for most varmint weight bullet weights available in .224", the reason most factories chamber their 223's with a 12 twist. I've got a number of 223's, and I primairly only shoot 40's in all of them for both PD's and ground squirrels (chucks too). The 40's seem to work well all the way out just past 500 yards.

Of course if you're just looking for an excuse to buy another rifle, then have at 'er bud, as you won't be dissapointed with a 12 twist 204, and will most likely be surprised that it will shoot both the 32 and the 39/40 better than you imagined. For work inside 300 yards on PD's or squirrels, the 204 32 grainers do a remarkable job....can you say "juicy"? The heavier 39gr and 40's in the 204 do their best work past the 300 yard marker, and the difference in the wind is really noticable.

It sounds like you already have the nine twist 223, so let me just say that once you move into the world of the 204, the trajectory of the 223 will be hardly missed (even when shooting the 40's) when you experience the flatness of shooting the 204. Be prepared to shoot over a bunch of dogs before you get the new trajectory into your head....it's THAT good!

[OldTurtle]

I have .223s in 1/14, 1/12, & 1/9 and all will handle the 40gr V-Max and as Rick said just keep the speed down a little in the 1/9.....I had a custom barreled AR in 1/14 made just for the lighter bullets and I can pump them up pretty good...

Both of my .204s are 1/12 twist rates and neither like the 32gr bullets, but love the 39 & 40gr pills....I've picked up some 35gr Bergers, but haven't gotten to wring them out yet, as I don't want to use the primers I have on experimentation, when I have tried and true loads for the future..

It is a good reason to consider a .204 though....

[poppybull]

Thank you guys for the imput, gonna go get the 204.

[chuckhunter]

You will not be sorry........ I have two because iI like it so much.