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Posted: 1/3/2009 11:26:39 AM EDT
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So my 100 yard load from my AR with a 1:9" twist is:
55gr Nosler Ballistic Tip 23.5gr Hodgon Benchmark RP case trimmed to 1.750" CCI 400 Primer 2.255" OAL Now, this load shoots TINY groups at 100 yards. It's awesome. At 200 yards, however, groups open up to 2-3" and off to the left or right of center depending on the wind. Would a load with a heavier bullet maybe work better at 200yd? Maybe a 69gr Sierra Matchking? I'm also going to use Lapua brass for my 200 yard loads. Might as well ;) What loads are you guys using in .223 from 200 yards with good results? Thanks Dave |
| If the wind is opening up your group, learn to dope the wind better. If you are working on a load for pure accuracy and not terminal effect, use a sierra 52 or 53 grain match bullet. You'd be hard pressed to find a better bullet out to 300 yards if you're not fighting the wind (other than custom benchrest types). |
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Quoted:
If the wind is opening up your group, learn to dope the wind better. If you are working on a load for pure accuracy and not terminal effect, use a sierra 52 or 53 grain match bullet. You'd be hard pressed to find a better bullet out to 300 yards if you're not fighting the wind (other than custom benchrest types). My group size is opening up at 200 yard with no wind. The wind shifts the entire group left or right if there is any. I have a box of 52gr Sierra HPBTs that I haven't loaded yet. What powder are you pushing them with? |
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I would not be wasting Lapau brass for 200 yd ammo, I would on use it for precison ammo for longer distances. Like shooting 600...
I would settle on your primary objective? paper punching? varmint hunting? or competition? From there you can do well with finding a bullet to suit your needs. |
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2" at 200 yards is still about 1 MOA. I think you just need to work your load up again. The bullet might be stable out to 100 yards but might destabilize after that.
200 yards isn't THAT far. You should be able to use run of the mill brass, 55gr bullets, and save money. |
The above from the manufacturer's website. Your load is below the starting point, and while accurate is probably a good starting point. I would recomend working up in .3 grain intervals till the awesome accuarcy returns with new higher speed and cleaner powder burn. A load which shots tiny clusters at 100 yards is not likely to fall apart at only 200 yards. The Nosler is an excellent bullet to test accuracy with, a great choice. |
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Are you using a scope? If so, how much magnification? Are you using a rest? What type? Front and rear?
Whats your trigger like? Bench technique is very important in evaluating ammo. I use a Cowan front rest with a rear bag. I have a 3" forend adapter for stability on my 20" White Oak Armaments Varmint and WOA tuned the trigger. I usually have a Weaver T-36 scope mounted for these purposes. If you cannot shoot 5 consecutive 5 shot groups or 2-10 shot groups with a load that meet some criteria (MOA, 0.5MOA) then it isn't. There are no flyers unless a hot casing goes down your neck or you are seized roughly from behind by a Hell's Angel. That said, I too frequently shoot 2-3" groups at 200 yards. With less than ideal equipment, it is easy to do. Wind, mirage, and other issues play havoc. I don't get to shoot at longer ranges very often. 
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Quoted:
The above from the manufacturer's website. Your load is below the starting point, and while accurate is probably a good starting point. I would recomend working up in .3 grain intervals till the awesome accuarcy returns with new higher speed and cleaner powder burn. A load which shots tiny clusters at 100 yards is not likely to fall apart at only 200 yards. The Nosler is an excellent bullet to test accuracy with, a great choice. My data came from the Nosler reloading manual for my specific bullet. They list 23-25 grains of Benchmark. |
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This is my load, you might be able to use 77s, some 1/9 twist barrels can and some cannot, (this is a sweet spot at 85 to 100 deg. F) Others are useing up to 24.5gr Varget with a bench rest primer ( sweet spot varries from rifle to rifle ) Bushmaster 20", crome, 1/7 twist 200 & 300 yard load LC case 77gr Sierra MK CCI # 41 primer 23.5gr Hodgdon Varget 2.260 COAL ( AR15 magazine length ) |
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A heavier bullet isn't going to reduce drift at 200 yards unless you are really kicking the 69s and barely driving the 55s.
Wind drift is all a factor of time of flight and exposure to wind. M193 has about 4.5" at 200 in a 10 MPH cross when shot from a 20" Time of flight is 0.211 second. My 77 grain Sierra load does 2700 FPS and has 3.88" drift in a 10 MPH crosswind. Time of flight is 0.247 second. |
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