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

[IndianCent]

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.

 

[simonp]

Look at the Berger's in that weight - I've yet to shoot a Berger that didn't outperform SMK's.

 

[IndianCent]

Look at the Berger's in that weight - I've yet to shoot a Berger that didn't outperform SMK's.

Just checked Berger and it seems to be either 60 gr or 70 gr (Target or Varmint).

 

[simonp]

The 52 and 55's are lasers for me at 100 & 200, I havent loaded any of the 73's yet but I expect to the same, Id pick up a 100 of each and test out which your gun likes most.

 

[Kickin45]

Hornady 62 eld-vt
At only 300yds, pretty much everything will be accurate. Still traveling about 2000fps.

 

[waveslayer]

I've had good success with 75's but your twist is a little slow, at 300 may not be a major factor

 

[IndianCent]

Hornady 62 eld-vt
At only 300yds, pretty much everything will be accurate. Still traveling about 2000fps.

I will try these, if they work I'll buy in bulk. Seeing them for $26.63/100 incl. shipping. Thanks

 

[918v]

Sierra 52gr SMK

 

[rweaver00geo]

53 vmax I know you said 62 and up but it's plenty accurate, pretty inexpensive and it is a boat tail unlike the 55 or 60 vmax

 

[JerkyFreak]

Only 300 yrds, 55gr at 3200fps is difficult to beat.

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[Hawk in WY]

Flat base for accuracy.

 

[todde]

For what your looking for, the 69 Sierra is going to be hard to beat.
Todd

 

[misser]

i have to go with sierra 77

 

[Doom]

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.

 

[Cfshooter]

60 Vmax do well.

 

[Ledzep]

I will try these, if they work I'll buy in bulk. Seeing them for $26.63/100 incl. shipping. Thanks

1:9 probably not going to work for the 62's unfortunately. Vmax's should do fine for 300 and in though.

 

[joe777]

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.

 

[TheOfficeT-Rex]

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.

 

[RTH1800]

Look at what the 200 yd BR guys shoot.

 

[Haney]

Sierra 64 grain Game Kings have worked well for me .

 

[Potsy]

For super accurate paper groups, I’d try Berger first.

That said; I REALLY like 53 V-Maxes.

 

[JerkyFreak]

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.

 

[Cr1775]

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.

 

[IndianCent]

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.

 

[Cr1775]

Fine to have a jump alot of bullets like a jump.

 

[IndianCent]

Fine to have a jump alot of bullets like a jump.

Good to know, I was concerned about that. Thanks

 

[MarshallDodge]

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.

 

[IndianCent]

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.

Could you elaborate on the type of problems? Thanks

 

[Aftermath]

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.

Nice and humble.
Gotta be the nut driver.

 

[James40004]

Might try speer 50 grain tnt over 26 grain h335. $136/1000 and shoot great at short range. Bullets disintegrate on impact.

James

 

[Doom]

Could you elaborate on the type of problems? Thanks

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.

 

[Lawnboi]

Could you elaborate on the type of problems? Thanks

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.

 

[Doom]

I failed to include that the threat angle is greater on the 223 Rem than on the more modern cartridges.

 

[IndianCent]

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.

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.

 

[dschr582]

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!