Accuracy expectations for 223 from 300 to 500 yards?

wahoowad

wahoowad

Member
Anyone getting MOA performance out to 300 to 500 yards in an AR platform? I’m wondering if I can expect to take groundhogs in that range with my Ruger MPR. I usually shoot a bolt 243 for that range and wondering what to expect for my Ruger?
 
Does it shoot MOA at 100 yards? If so, then it should do the same at further distances.
However, the further out, the more the wind affects the bullet. Lighter (lower BC) .224 bullets shot at lower velocities will require more accurate wind calls than your .243.
 
Only you can tell that, theoretically the 243 should be easier than hit the target at distance BUT there a lot of target shooters doing amazing things with a 223.

Only your rifle/scope/ammo/shooting ability will tell you that.
 
I have a few that will do half a minute out to 500yds. Last 5 shot group at 500 you could cover with a paint can lid. Made many head shots on dirt beavers around 300yds .But like AWS wind is the great equalizer.
 
It's going to be all you, shooting and load development ability. Prairie dogs are not safe inside 300 yards (bench or bipod)with my AR's(20p and 223). Even my carbine(18" barrel) clearance priced build,about 300$ is pd killer off a tripod at 250 yards. Wind calls are huge past 200 yards.
 
I have 4 different 5.56 barrels that I regularly shoot at 500 yards on a 5" steel popper target. BA modern series 16", Criterion ultra light 5.56 16", Roscoe purebreed 16" and an 18" KAK OEM series Hbar. I shoot the same 77g SMK and benchmark load in all 4 rifles. They are all sub MOA at 100 and several have shot sub 3" groups on steel at 500 yards.
 
I've been working on a 53gr 223 load that would shoot out of my 1:8 twist. Here are my 100, 200 and 330 yard results from today. I was dealing with a ten to fifteen mile an hour crosswind the whole time. Those little bullets do get pushed around. But I'm happy with the results. I hit a ten inch gong with it at 520 yards as well. I know the limiting factor is me and being able read mother nature. But I would not hesitate out to 325 yards or so. Don't really see me taking a shot past that at a yote. I would need perfect conditions to go longer.

20260119_104952.jpg
20260119_104116.jpg
20260119_103913.jpg
 
Back
Top