New .223 rifle with 1:8 twist... "best ammo"?

[Tactically Fat]

Came across something this AM that alluded to the 62-77 gr bullets being the best weight to give max accuracy for this twist rate...

How terrible of a time would going with the lighter offerings be?

Rifle is the Ruger American Compact in .223. 18" barrel.

My mom has said that she'll be glad to pick up some ammo - as long as I tell her specifically what to get.

So - for coyote killin' purposes...what ammo to get?

 

[SEIndSAM]

It depends on the distance you will be shooting? Anything up to 3-400 yards, 55 grain will be fine. Longer distances you will want the 64 grain product.

 

[Tactically Fat]

It depends on the distance you will be shooting? Anything up to 3-400 yards, 55 grain will be fine. Longer distances you will want the 64 grain product.

Roger that!

Thank you!

figure 300 yards absolute maximum. That'll be an extraordinarily long shot.

 

[ISP 5353]

You should probably try several different types of ammo. You will find out that the rifle has a favorite that is shoots more accurately than others. That said, there are a lot of great loads between 52 and 80gr that should shoot and feed well. I would try to get some 64gr Power Points and try them first. I have had good luck with those out of several different twist rates. Good luck!

 

[Tactically Fat]

You should probably try several different types of ammo. You will find out that the rifle has a favorite that is shoots more accurately than others. That said, there are a lot of great loads between 52 and 80gr that should shoot and feed well. I would try to get some 64gr Power Points and try them first. I have had good luck with those out of several different twist rates. Good luck!

Yeah, I planned on the several types. Three different brands of 62 gr ammo won't all necessarily act the same. Minute differences in powder, velocity, primer, primer cup, crimp, seating depth, etc etc etc will all have an impact upon....impact.

I just know that I'm not much of a rifle guy at all, and therefore haven't paid much attention to things like "what bullet weight best corresponds to which twist rate".

 

[singlesix]

This might help:

How to Pair Barrel Twist Rates with Bullets | Guns & Ammo

 

[jblomenberg16]

Would be a great match for 69gr Sierra Match Kings. Those will shoot well out of just about any AR.

 

[WyldeShot]

My 1:8 .223 wylde loves 62 gr Federal Fusion rounds. It produces 3/4" or less groups at 100 yards.

 

[cwillour]

If she can find the Fiocchi 50gr v-max, I suspect you will be happy with the results on yotes out to 200-250yds & I haven't had a problem with them in my 1:7 barrels. The 62gr Federal Fusion MSR is also likely to be a good fit with your 18" barrel for not too much $$ (I think Bud's has them for $13/20rds.)

 

[mattyd]

Second vote on the Fiocchi. The other is the 55 gr vmax from Hornady.

 

[avboiler11]

Odds are good that any quality factory ammunition (ie. not 55/62gr FMJ) will shoot between okay and pretty good out of a 1:8 bolt gun, especially at ranges inside of 300 or so.

For 300 and beyond, Hornady Match 75gr HPBT and Federal Gold Metal Match 69/77gr should work great, as would Prvi 69/75gr Match and Fiocchi 69/77 Match.

 

[Tactically Fat]

Odds are good that any quality factory ammunition (ie. not 55/62gr FMJ) will shoot between okay and pretty good out of a 1:8 bolt gun, especially at ranges inside of 300 or so.

For 300 and beyond, Hornady Match 75gr HPBT and Federal Gold Metal Match 69/77gr should work great, as would Prvi 69/75gr Match and Fiocchi 69/77 Match.

I think for price and availability, 55gr will probably be what I go with.

A friend told me he'd sell me some out of his stash at $0.30/rd for brass-cased.

After the first few hundred through the gun, I'll recommend steel-cased as a cost savings.

 

[Savage99]

In my limited experience, 69 and heavier work well for the 1-8 twist rate.

 

[Tactically Fat]

Man, I wasn't aware that the price jump between 55gr and 62 gr was that...substantial. Mercy.

 

[Tactically Fat]

He just needs "minute of coyote at 100-150 yards" material.

Not match shooting - especially not with a $365 Ruger American and a $200 scope.

 

[noylj]

One would expect 55-70gn bullets, or even a bit heavier would be good. However, based on accuracy results in many magazine articles, you have to test various bullet weights still to find what YOUR barrel likes. Been amazed how many 1:8 barrels tested still do best with 40 gn bullets at 100 yards.

 

[GIJEW]

Echoing AVboiler, under 300yds bullet weight isn't the issue, a good 1:8 barrel should shoot well with any quality bullet. Weight becomes an issue when trying to "buck wind" at longer range. The main thing is to shoot a good projectile: high quality with a good ballistic coefficient.

 

[cwillour]

I'm feeling confused. Is this for plinking or hunting?

The little bit I have seen on the terminal performance of Tula, Wolf, and the like lead me to think he may be somewhat unsatisfied with the results of a less-than-perfect shot.