.223. 1in12 v 1in8 for fox out to 300m

[Edinburgh Rifles]

Dont take my word for it
To make the most of fast twist 223 you need barrels longer than 24" and run the nuts off the 69-77gr range
The windage advantage only comes in beyond 7-800yds and only in higher winds

53gr VMax vs Sierra 69gr TMK
Load data from quickload to MaxP
Trajectory and Windage from same app

Whatever advantage you might be able to demostrate theoretically will be so marginal I would defy anyone to prove it in the field as the group size will be larger than the advantage by a factor of 10

35






69gr TMK at 3050fps (and I am being generous with the velocity as its much more likely to be sub 3k on a 24" barrel)

ShootersCalculator.com | Ballistic Trajectory Calculator

Calculates the ballistic trajectory of a bullet fired from a rifle, handgun or other firearm. Produces a ballistic trajectory chart and table that shows the drop, velocity, kinetic energy, windage, and trajectory of a bullet.

shooterscalculator.com

53gr VMax from the same barrel length and I am not even trying to wring the neck of it, 3400 is conservative

ShootersCalculator.com | Ballistic Trajectory Calculator

Calculates the ballistic trajectory of a bullet fired from a rifle, handgun or other firearm. Produces a ballistic trajectory chart and table that shows the drop, velocity, kinetic energy, windage, and trajectory of a bullet.

shooterscalculator.com

​

1/2" in the favour of the 53gr at 300m

And if you can be arsed, open the links
The 53gr beats it in the same scenario right out to 1000yds

 

[Demetrius]

8 twist....

D.

 

[billy_boyle_2010]

300m for a fox ? Blimey.

 

[andyk]

Can't say I agree on the light v heavy point.

The 69gr TMK can be bettered at around that weight level, such as by the 73gr ELDM (BC=0.398). The 53gr v-max is also one of the slipperiest (if not the slipperiest) 'normal' weight 22 hunting bullet at BC = 0.290. Most bullets in the 50-55gr are somewhat lower.

I'm getting 2,730fps from my 1:8 222, which shows wind drift of 8.34" at 300yds using the same calculator as @Edinburgh Rifles has used, so give or take 2/3 of what the v-max is doing in that example and that's from a 222, not a 223. Admittedly, it's dropping a lot more, around another 5", so it's a trade off. But, if you're happy to rangefind and dial, the high BC bullet is a lot more forgiving in wind calls.

 

[shootnfish]

53gr V-max generally won’t stabilise in a 1-12. It’s my go to bullet in a 1-8 tikka T3 20” at 3300fps 24.7gr N140 and cheap PPU brass.

Works well with a pard night stalker and I’ve had fox at 300. I like to get closer but sometimes needs must.

I was just going to add that about the 53's. Its the only anomaly in the 12 twist barrel argument. 50's ok, 55's ok 53's... no good. They are a long high bc projectile compared with the other 2 so I guess thats why.

 

[shootnfish]

Mmm...53gr Vmax were excellent in my 1:12 Triple Two

Im surprised to read that, but I dont doubt you. In my experience with 223 with 1/12 they just wouldn't work. Reading the posts on the 22/250 stuff they seem to handle them ok. Im presuming thats due to the increased velocity. With 222 being a slower round than 223 im surprised you got a result from them. Just goes to show, even when you think you've got it figured out someone tells you different

 

[Steve123]

Does it really make much difference at 300m swooping 50 or 55g for 53g ?

 

[shootnfish]

Does it really make much difference at 300m swooping 50 or 55g for 53g ?

It does it the gun doesn't shoot. All things being equal the 53's have a higher bc so will probably have less drop than the 50's. At that range by a good few couple of inches id imagine, but in all honesty I cant confirm

 

[JackDavis]

I have a howa 1500 varmint .223 1in9 twist,

Clover leaf groups with the 53gr Hornady super performance at 100m

18inch barrel plus wildcat mod and getting 3145fps

Was smacking a fox head gong at 300m with ease

 

[villaman]

Another one with howa 1500 sa 22” barrel 1-8 accuracy is sublime with every thing I feed it

 

[Neddle]

No brainwashed tikka in 1;8

 

[Foxyboy43]

It does it the gun doesn't shoot. All things being equal the 53's have a higher bc so will probably have less drop than the 50's. At that range by a good few couple of inches id imagine, but in all honesty I cant confirm

They were awful in my triple deuce 1:12 as opposed to 50gns and 55gns Sierras or Hornady..

 

[Foxyboy43]

300m for a fox ? Blimey.

You might be surprised what the .222 and .223 can do at that range…..

 

[billy_boyle_2010]

You might be surprised what the .222 and .223 can do at that range…..

Indeed. More than enough energy if you can put it in the right place. But 300m is quite a way for a light bullet on a small target like a fox IMO- i would be worried about wounding it myself.

 

[old 30-06]

Jelen, My advice is to keep things simple. If you are just fox and vermin to 300 yards, then twist rate does not matter. Lead is lawful, abundant, and relatively inexpensive. Go for the rifle you like best. The rifle will do its job.

 

[Jelen]

Jelen, My advice is to keep things simple. If you are just fox and vermin to 300 yards, then twist rate does not matter. Lead is lawful, abundant, and relatively inexpensive. Go for the rifle you like best. The rifle will do its job.

Thank you. Having sieved through the replies to my post - and further reading - that is exactly what I've decided to do.
I've got my RFD to put a Wideveil, 1in12 twist, 22.4" barrel on hold. 300 yds is the maximum I'd need to take a Fox on some of my permissions. And then only in low favourable wind when everything gels. I mostly go out with a keeper spotting, so I'd rather pass up an opportunity than miss or wound and be called a tosser

 

[wabbit warren]

I was just going to add that about the 53's. Its the only anomaly in the 12 twist barrel argument. 50's ok, 55's ok 53's... no good. They are a long high bc projectile compared with the other 2 so I guess thats why.

who told you that Shootnfish? i use a tikka t3x lite 20" barrel 1-12 twist with 53g vmax to great effect 1/2 moa with factory rounds and even better with home loads ive shot foxes out over 220yds with them in it so not that shabby

 

[JTO]

No brainwashed tikka in 1;8

???

 

[Neddle]

???

No brainer

 

[JTO]

No brainer

It looked like you thought Tikkas weren't available in 1:8. Funny, I thought, because I have two. Missed commas can make a big difference.