.223 bullet weight

[finyllw]

I will be reloading 223 soon. Just got the press (Dillon 550) got of brass (cleaned) got powder, primers. Waiting on bullets.

I was told by a buddy a while back relating to my 308, that I shouldn't use heavier bullets in semi auto mode as it might over pressurize the op rod and break it. He suggested staying below 162?? grns on the 308.

I'm now wondering if there is a limit on a SA 223 bullets weight. I have seen bullets ranging from 40 or so all the way up to 80? grns. How heavy can one go before things start getting busted?

I plan on using 62grn FMJBT lead core for plinking and target practise. My SHTF supply is Lake City green tips. I have found some info suggesting a 68-72 grn bullet actually works better for taking down large two legged critters better.

What are your thoughts??

[Dark Mod]

What kind of rifle are you using? most people judge the bullet weight needed by their twist rate. 55 grn and 62 grn bullets are the most common, depending on how tight your twist is, it may have trouble stabilizing the longer 62 grain round.

Ive never had any problems loading either, and ive never shot anything over 62 grains. I think either bullet will take down two legged critters just fine

Try all the different bullet sizes you can, and see what works best. If they start to keyhole then you know youve gone too heavy

[finyllw]

Stag 16" regular weight barrel, 1 in 9 twist, A2 flash sup.

I'm also wanting to start going after wild boar and coyotes. Any thoughts there?

[LeatherNuts]

Could be a off but my understanding was that 1/9 was more for the 55gr area, where the military style 1/7 twist accomidates the 62gr penatrators better.

[ejhc11]

Link for your reference as each rifle shoots differently. Calgunner: Dieselpower has a nice chart for reference.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=497166&highlight=dieselpower

[damndave]

Anything up to about 69gr should be fine.

[17+1]

Stag 16" regular weight barrel, 1 in 9 twist, A2 flash sup.

I'm also wanting to start going after wild boar and coyotes. Any thoughts there?

My Stag 1 in 9" shoots the 77 gr. Sierra very well. I prefer the longer length of the 77 over the 69 when seating the bullets out to the rifling.

Probably wouldn't be the best for shooting an animal you planned on eating as the Matchkings break up violently. Would probably work well for varmint like Coyote. More than accurate enough, that's for sure.

[BrianRodela]

Here is a link with some info. Although the Service Rifle in High Power is a 20 inch barrel, you can still use the 69 gr SMK in the shorter barrel with these loads. Keep em conservitive and work up from the bottom. I'm loading 24.5 gn of Reloader 15 with a 2.255" OAL. No signs of overpressurizing with the primers and good groupings. Also, regarding the OAL (Over All Leingth) SMK77 gn will fit in magazine but going to 80 gn, it'll be too long and is for single loading. Berger stops at either the 73 gn BTHP ot the 70 gn VLD for magazine leingth.

http://www.whiteoakprecision.com/info-reloading.htm

[GeoffLinder]

Basic rule of thumb guide on .223 bullet weight versus barrel twist rate

1:10 or slower twist = 55gr or under
1:9 twist pretty much anything up to 69 gr will work (some barrels will work with heavier)
1:8 twist = 52gr to 80 gr
1:7 twist = 55gr to 80gr (some barrels will work with 90 gr).

For a 1:9 barrel I suggest starting with a good 55gr FMJBT (Full Metal Jacket Boat Tail) and wait until you have some experience making the 55gr ammo before experimenting with 60-69 gr bullets.

The best and cheapest 55gr FMJBT is the Hornady bulk 55g FMJBT available at Midway, Wideners, Natchez, etc...

[Pete1979]

Most AR type rifles don"t have an op rod or gas piston unless you have a specific "Gas Piston" upper so op rod beating isn't an issue. Heavy bullets are pricey, you can get surplus lake city, armscor, or other 55gr fmjbt cheap. My favorite 223 bullet is the 52gr SMK, one hole groups from my bolt gun with a 1/12 twist...

[NotEnufGarage]

Does your buddy shoot a Garand? Those have been known to get abused by heavy loads. Not applicable to AR type rifles, though.

[Noonanda]

I was thinking he was talking about an M-14 type rifle when he said .308, more clarification needed on that

[NRAhighpowershooter]

I was thinking he was talking about an M-14 type rifle when he said .308, more clarification needed on that

Nothing wrong or harmful about shoting 175's out of a M1A/M14 at all... HighPower shooters do all the time for 600+yd shooting.... if your buddy says nothing heavier than 160 something then he is mis-informed

[level 10]

I
load 168 gr for my m1a with great results for my ar i use 62 gr with a 1/7 twist .

[Knife Edge]

Anything up to about 69gr should be fine.

I can vouch for this as well.