Is .223 worth it?

[severnsider]

I've used several brands of ammunition in my Sako 85 (1:12 twist) but home loads have proved to be considerably more accurate at 300-400 yards. The brass seems to live forever, and I get good results with 52gr SMK or 52gr A-Max (but you cannot get these any more) and 23.5 - 23.8gr N133.
It is also OK with lighter (40gr V-Max) but didn't like the 69gr projectiles, which I believe are better-suited (as others have said above) to a faster twist.
Definitely worth giving it a go!

[Parabuteo]

I've used several brands of ammunition in my Sako 85 (1:12 twist) but home loads have proved to be considerably more accurate at 300-400 yards. The brass seems to live forever, and I get good results with 52gr SMK or 52gr A-Max (but you cannot get these any more) and 23.5 - 23.8gr N133.
It is also OK with lighter (40gr V-Max) but didn't like the 69gr projectiles, which I believe are better-suited (as others have said above) to a faster twist.
Definitely worth giving it a go!

Yea, most of ours are built to work with 77grainers. It helps a bit at the longer distances, then a lot of folk will use cheap stuff at 100. When you think that the standard for the L85 is 36mm at 30yds for acceptance.....I would be worried if I was that large at 100, mag rested with a 4x scope.

I dont spend ages chasing it to be honest, a reliable 1MOA is fine for our targets and you are stuck with mag length anyway, although I know some that have had excellent results at 1000yds with JLKs hand fed.

Actually I would say that a half decent handload is still cheaper than a lot of surplus, and dont forget that GGG 62gn is 5.56x45 NATO in effect, so the standards will be just that. 77s have jumped from near 21p to 30 odd, and the 75gn PPU came in at 14p and is now 19p......wish I had bought several thousand to be honest as they are still a better and cheaper proposition for practice.

[Ranyhyn]

It's a slippery slope to another addiction.
Don't do it.
Fair warning

[Black Beard]

Don't forget, military 5.56 is externally the same as .223 but is designed for a different chamber. It will give higher pressures in a .223 chamber than a military rifle. It will probably also be designed for maximum velocity at minimum cost, so expect pressures to be high anyway.

BB

[Parabuteo]

Don't forget, military 5.56 is externally the same as .223 but is designed for a different chamber. It will give higher pressures in a .223 chamber than a military rifle. It will probably also be designed for maximum velocity at minimum cost, so expect pressures to be high anyway.

BB

Our rifles are chambered/proofed accordingly by probably the most knowledgeable chap in the UK. You are smack on though. Many will get a couple through a bog .223 standard AR then wonder why it starts sticking when it gets warm.

Not all military ammo is SS109 in any event. MOD262 is also produced in brown boxes and used in matches and operations along with stacks of other variations.

[tacfoley]

Our rifles are chambered/proofed accordingly by probably the most knowledgeable chap in the UK. You are smack on though. Many will get a couple through a bog .223 standard AR then wonder why it starts sticking when it gets warm.

Not all military ammo is SS109 in any event. MOD262 is also produced in brown boxes and used in matches and operations along with stacks of other variations.

^ This.

tac

[Black Beard]

Nice to hear you are way ahead of me. I think 7.62 is the other way around with 308 in a 7.62 being the problem combination.

[223AI]

Don't forget, military 5.56 is externally the same as .223 but is designed for a different chamber. It will give higher pressures in a .223 chamber than a military rifle. It will probably also be designed for maximum velocity at minimum cost, so expect pressures to be high anyway.

BB

I thought the chamber was identical but the leade is different?

[Parabuteo]

I thought the chamber was identical but the leade is different?

Chambers differ Scott. Mine has been reamed a tad slacker so it will take NATO and not stick with the hot stuff, it cycles nicely with most ammo. The NATO chamber should be a tad longer in terms of headpace IIRC to deal with any available NATO spec SS109 etc, and hot/dirty chambers.

[223AI]

Chambers differ Scott. Mine has been reamed a tad slacker so it will take NATO and not stick with the hot stuff, it cycles nicely with most ammo. The NATO chamber should be a tad longer in terms of headpace IIRC to deal with any available NATO spec SS109 etc, and hot/dirty chambers.

So i mean chamber spec's are the same, clearly not though, every day's a learner . . .