What bullets have you guys found shoot well in a 1 in 8 twist?

Aznative

Aznative

New member
I've found some bullets that work real well in my new RRA AR with a 1:8 twist, but I would like something to use in norhern AZ where those ugly condors eat. I would like to voluntarily use barnes TSX bullets, but I just tried the 62 grainers with Win 748 powder and they shot crappy dispite these bullets being listed for rifles with 1:7 to 1:9 twists. I picked Win 748 because it popped up under several recommended loadings as a good accurarcy and/or hunting load listing in the Sierra reloading manual. At about 30 dollars for a box of 50 I would rather someone pipe in with what ever they've had good results with. Right now I don't know if I should go with the 53 or 70 gain bullets. Also, if you have a powder suggestion that works well with your recommended bullet, I'm all ears.

By the way, the 65 grain Sierra game king shot very good with 3/4 inch groups using Win 748, and Barnes VLC 50 grain bullets shot one hole groups at 100 yards using BLC-2. Unfortunately the VLC's are no longer made, and my stash is dwindling.

Thanks in advance
 
I've had very good luck with 60gr v-maxes out of my RRA predator with IMR3031. Can't remember the powder charge for the life of me. It is at home. It also shoots the 55gr nosler ballistic tips with H335 very well. But again can't remember the powder charge. Also tried the 55gr v-maxes but didn't like the way they loaded. When I was seating the bullets if I was not careful it would shear off part of the tip. The shot OK but didn't like loading them. Out of the 2 that I load the 60gr v-maxes shoot the best group. I'm going to play with the loads alittle more this spring when it warms up.
 
"I'm going to play with the loads alittle more this spring when it warms up."

I hear that. I really enjoy shooting at the range right now in Arizona with it being as cold as it gets. It is about the only time of year I can shoot a lot without waiting for the barrel to cool.
 
Cold? I don't think you know what cold is. Today they say that it is to get up to 33 with the real feel of 23. First part of the week the lows were 15-30 below with day time temps getting up to maybe 0. My brother live down in queen creek and my parents went down there for a week to do some calling with him. Called in a couple yote and a fox. And I know that this time of the year down there is great to be out doing some shooting. But if you ever want to get cold just come up this way in jan. Wish it would have stayed could like the first part of the week. It keeps people in and I don't have to worry about the truck hunter and the hound hunters too much.
 
I have a 1:8 Dtech, and have tried everything under the sun in it. 40, 50, & 55 grain bullets were all "so-so", but it really came alive with 60 grain VMaxs. I've got a great load with Benchmark, and another with H335. The H335 is a little temperature sensitive, so if you use it in this colder weather, be aware that the pressures are likely to increase when it warms up. Use it with caution. Overall, 60 grain has been the ticket with mine. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
I have an RRA 18" bull with 1:8 twist and it shoots the 60 grain vmax's over WW748 very well. I have basically switched to this load in all of my 223 for predator hunting because of the accuracy and terminal performance.
 
RRA 24" Bull Stainless 1/8 twist: Best load so far has been 60 grain V-Max, 24.6 grains Benchmark, CCI BR-4 primer, Win Brass, COAL 2.260. 3077 fps chronographed from 24 in barrel. Hodgdon lists this load as max so back off a grain or so to start. Same advice goes for the next load.

Another great one was: 55 grain V-Max, 25.3 grains Benchmark, CCI BR-4 primer, Win brss, COAL 2.260, 3220 fps from 24 in barrel. A near max load. 25.6 listed as max.

Also had good luck with the 60 V-Max with Varget and H335.
OK but not great results with BLC-2 or IMR-4895.
 
Jack: I want to have loads that work well with and without lead. If and when I get back up to the Arizona strip, I want to use the politically correct lead free bullets if I can find a loading that works. I would rather do this voluntarily than have it rammed down our throats.

There was a "Red Alert" on one of PMs Forums for Arizona hunters about Game and Fish evaluating a lead ban in the strip area to help the California Condors. I would prefer we send those commy birds back to Kalifornika. At the G&F meeting some supposedly hunters wanted G&F to take some action now rather than a law go into effect. G&F basically said the ammo industry just isn't there yet. The only game in town for factory ammo is Federal Premium loadings with Barnes Triple Shocks. AZ G&F is giving any hunter that gets drawn two boxes of these bullets to use that gets drawn for a strip area hunt. Problem is Federal Premium only loads big game loads. They offer nothing for 223.

I’m going to try the Barnes 53 grain Triple shocks next since they are available locally. I will eventually try the 70 grainers, but I’ll have to special order these online. The 1:8 twist is suppose to love the heavier bullets, but the light weight 50 grain Barnes VLC shots fantastic one hole groups at 100 yards. I cannot wait to shot these at two hundred yards. I’m wondering what they will group like being spun so quickly. For now, I’ll stick with the Sierra Game King since they shoot under .75”.

Speaking of cold Deaddogwalkin, I actually had some frost on my windows two days in a row last week. Boy is it tough to get out of the bed in the morning on days like that.


To everyone that has responded, Thanks for all of your load suggestions
 
My 1 & 8 twist likes the Sierra 69 gr BTMHP with Ramshot Tac
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Bea175: Have you used this bullet on yotes? If so, how is the performance. I do know of one loading for the 308 using 168 sierra match bullets that does well since it doesn't act like a hunting bullets on fur. I would just blow a small exit hole.
 
I just switched to this bullet and haven't taken a yote with it as of today. I will be calling again in a couple of days and if i get one i will post results with photos .
 
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