.223 Bullet Weight/Length 1:9 Twist

[Rucker61]

I see a lot on the internet that says that .223 in 1:9 twist can stabilize up to a 75 or so grain bullet. I've also seen mentioned a time or two that at higher elevation that you can stretch that limitation up to 77 or maybe even 80. Has anyone had any experience with a 77 grain or larger bullet in 1:9 twist here at altitude? Gun is a Savage 24" bull barrel bolt gun.

[XC700116]

My 1:9 twist Remington will stabilize 75gr hornady bthp's, 77 smk's, and 77 scenars but won't stabilize 75 amaxs nor 77 tmk's, the little bit of extra length kills it. That tells me it's barely getting it done with the hpbt versions. I normally shoot 73gr Berger's or 69 smk's through it as it shoots those very well.

[ray1970]

I'll throw a second vote for the 69gr SMK's. My old Savage shot them very well. Although I never had them out past 600 yards due to range limitations.

[MarkCO]

For some reason the 75 Hornady is a more finicky bullet than the Sierra and Nosler 77s. The one 1:9 I had shot the 77s just fine here at altitude, but I never shot them lower than 4800' ASL.

The new Sierra Tipped give you the BC of a 77 in a 69 and might be the ticket for you. They work well.

[SA Friday]

Pretty much the same as the rest. I have a couple 1:9 barrels and the 77s work fine in them. 75 Amax just won't group. I would stay with the SMKs.

[Delfuego]

I would try them out first, you never know. A friend has a stock r700 in 223 that loves the 75 Amax.

[Rucker61]

Follow up. WIth the 75 gr Amax I shot a 5 shot .52 group at 100 yards in good conditions, and a 5 shot 2.5" group at 300 yards with bad mirage and some wind. I'm thinking that this rifle can shoot the Amaxes.

[Delfuego]

At 300y you should just measure your vertical spread. Dont worry about windage. Get a big paper target with a "water line" and not a circle style target.

[Rucker61]

At 300y you should just measure your vertical spread. Dont worry about windage. Get a big paper target with a "water line" and not a circle style target.

Vertical spread was 1.2".

[DocMedic]

I've never had luck with the 75's or 77 In my savage, but with the sierra 69's going 3000fps they group 3/4 inch.