Best bullet choice for accuracy .223 Rem up to 300 Yards

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IndianCent

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Feb 10, 2023
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Idaho
#1
Hello,
I built a Zermatt TL3 with a Shilen 26", 1 in 9 twist. I have good results with the Sierra 69 gr TMK's., but would like to go down to the 60 grain bullet weight. Can anyone recommend a good bullet in the 62-65 gr range? I am just plinking for accuracy on paper. Thanks for any input.
 
#10
#14
I would try the 55 Grain Berger Target FB. I like the 52Gr Target in 1 in 12 twist. Not sure it's any better than 53 SMK. there is no benefit to a coattail bullet if your 300yds or less. You might also find the 60gr Nosler Ballistic Tip Varmint to shoot well.

Be aware the 62 ELDM-VT is not a bullet designed for 223 Remington so depending on your chamber you may run into problems.
 
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#17
I've been getting 0.6-1.0 moa at 100 yards from AAC 55 black tip which apparently is a 55 grain vmax flat base. This is across like 4 different cheap ar15 barrels and off bipods and unstable rests. It's pretty unbelievable... not sure if its due to the flat base or what.
 
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#18
It's all a little outside your stated weight range, but you might be surprised how well the 52-55 class does at short range.

I like the 53 VMax if you want a boattail.

If you can stand a flat base, 52 flatbase bergers or 52 barts ultras stack a little better for me.
 
#22
These are the ones you want.

Berger Bullets, 22 Caliber (.224"), 55 Gr., Flat Base, Match Target

They work great in almost any .22 calbre rifle. Few other can equal the performance, and very rarely does any other do better for short range.
 
#23
What JerkyFreak said , i would also try Sierra 52 GR HPBT. With a 1 in 9 twist anything over 62 GR is a crap shoot. Too long.
 
#24
Thanks for all the recommendations. I tried the 62 gr ELD-VT's with the CFE223 starting weight of 23.8 grains. It is working great, I will have to sample more.
I appreaciate all the different loads, It will give me some time to experiment. My rifle seems to like the ogive touching the leads. I am still in the learning stage, is it in any way detrimental to the barrel to have a jump, because some of the lighter bullets are not long enough to touch leads.
 
#27
With a good wind read, I've had no issue holding sub MOA with the 52/53 grain match bullets at 300 yards. Benchmark and H322 work well in that load.

The Sierra 60 grain Varmint bullet shot fantastic out of my 1:9 twist AR. I killed a lot of prairie dogs with that bullet.
 
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#28
Doom said:
I would try the 55 Grain Berger Target FB. I like the 52Gr Target in 1 in 12 twist. Not sure it's any better than 53 SMK. there is no benefit to a coattail bullet if your 300yds or less. You might also find the 60gr Nosler Ballistic Tip Varmint to shoot well.

Be aware the 62 ELDM-VT is not a bullet designed for 223 Remington so depending on your chamber you may run into problems.
Click to expand...
Could you elaborate on the type of problems? Thanks
 
#29
joe777 said:
I've been getting 0.6-1.0 moa at 100 yards from AAC 55 black tip which apparently is a 55 grain vmax flat base. This is across like 4 different cheap ar15 barrels and off bipods and unstable rests. It's pretty unbelievable... not sure if its due to the flat base or what.
Click to expand...
Nice and humble.
Gotta be the nut driver.
 
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#32
IndianCent said:
Could you elaborate on the type of problems? Thanks
Click to expand...
The bullet has a long nose, the base to ogive gets along with most 223 chambers just fine, it’s the length of the nose causing it to not be loaded at mag length, similar to the 75 eldm.

If mag length is not a restriction of yours, it’s a good bullet. Fwiw the shortest you can load it before the ogive ends up below the neck is ~2.39”.

In your 9 twist I wouldn’t consider it an option. Really need an 8 or 7.
 
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#34
Doom said:
The 62 ELD-VT is a long bullet designed for some of the newer chambering like the 22CM and 224 Valkerie. These chambers are different from the 223 in terms of freebore. May or may not be an issue depending on your chamber.
Click to expand...
Thanks for that info. I did well with the 62 gr bullet, it is long enough to touch the leads and my rifle likes that. Lighter/shorter bullets make it harder to find the right seating depth for the best accuracy.
 
#35
I know you said wanting to go lighter but my remmy 700 223 loves the 73gr eldm. Factory hornady white box first test held 0.67 for a 10 shot. I now load them to AR mag length, jump to lands is unknown, at 2750 with whatever powder and they hammer!
 

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