how heavy can i go?

[halon101]

i am looking to load up some .223 for my ar. i have a 20" barrel with a 1-8 twist. i have been looking at some 68 , 75 and 77gr bullets but i am not sure if i have the twist. anyone have exp with this?

[Helpful_Cub]

You need to also know how long your bullet is. Then you can plug it into this nifty program and it will tell you the correct twist rate.

http://z-hat.com/twistrate.htm

[halon101]

thanks, i will plug away at that.

[Boots]

This is from 6mmbr.com

Barrel Twist Rate 1:14" 1:12" 1:9" 1:8" 1:7" or 1:6.5"
Max Bullet Weight 55gr FB 65gr FB 73gr BT 80gr BT 90gr BT VLD

http://www.6mmbr.com/223Rem.html

[halon101]

hah i need win95 to run the file. and it wont work in my browser thanks anyways.

[halon101]

thanks boots

[Boots]

thanks boots

No problem!

I found that page to be very informative when I was looking into reloading... and refer back to it now and then.

[Ahhnother8]

i am looking to load up some .223 for my ar. i have a 20" barrel with a 1-8 twist. i have been looking at some 68 , 75 and 77gr bullets but i am not sure if i have the twist. anyone have exp with this?

Yes.

The only real way to KNOW is to load and shoot them!! It just depends upon too many variables to give a black/white answer. It also depends upon what you intend to do with the loads. For short-range stuff, stay with the 55+- grain bullets. For the mid-range targets, the 75 to 82 grain bullets are great. The 77 SMK is EASY to get to shoot and flys ok from 300-500 yards. For long-range, one will need the 80-90 grain bullets. I have shot 90 Bergers from a 1:7.5 twist barrel out to 1000 yards. A fellow shooter has done the same with a 1:7.7 twist. The 80's may or may not shoot from a 1:8 twist. And it depends upon which 80 grain bullet.

Basically, it just depends...

[Boots]

Yes.

The only real way to KNOW is to load and shoot them!! It just depends upon too many variables to give a black/white answer. It also depends upon what you intend to do with the loads. For short-range stuff, stay with the 55+- grain bullets. For the mid-range targets, the 75 to 82 grain bullets are great. The 77 SMK is EASY to get to shoot and flys ok from 300-500 yards. For long-range, one will need the 80-90 grain bullets. I have shot 90 Bergers from a 1:7.5 twist barrel out to 1000 yards. A fellow shooter has done the same with a 1:7.7 twist. The 80's may or may not shoot from a 1:8 twist. And it depends upon which 80 grain bullet.

Basically, it just depends...

+1

I've been trying different bullet weights, powders and charges.
Try loading 5 of each bullets you plan on shooting and go with the ones that fit best to what you want to use them for.

[halon101]

thanks guys. i have been using factory ammo out to 350yds and am wanting to go further with my handloads. i keep seeing good bullets for sale but in bulk and dont want to pop on some 77s and find that i cant shoot them. i havent even checked the ACTUAL twist of my barrel. its a lilja so i have been assuming its 1-8 is close

[killshot44]

I use Berger 77gr "BT", 80.5gr Berger "BT" and 80gr JLK VLDs in my 1/8 24" WOA. Just have to have the velocity to keep 'em supersonic out to 1K.

[halon101]

killshot44 im sure you can easily get that velocity with the 24"

i am looking for out to 600. that will make me happy.