The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - lightest bullet weight for 223 with 1-9 twist

mrawesome22 · February 29, 2008, 10:16 PM

I think I have read on Nosler's site that they have pushed the BT varmint to over 5000fps without disintegration. You may want to try those.

I have had VMAX come apart at 3900fps in a 1 in 14" twist barrel. Only once though. It probably was just a bad bullet. But in that same barrel, VMAX's give outstanding accuracy and the Nosler's give terrible accuracy. For comparison, the VMAX's will consistently group 5/8" groups while the Nosler's will group around 2.5" consistently. If someone could explain why the Nosler's group so badly, I would love to know. The only thing I can come up with is maybe the bearing surface is too short, or maybe the bullet is too hard because of the super thick cooper jacket towards the rear of the bullet.

February 29, 2008, 10:16 PM	#8
mrawesome22 Senior Member Join Date: November 9, 2005 Location: Ohio, Appalachia's foothills. Posts: 3,779	I think I have read on Nosler's site that they have pushed the BT varmint to over 5000fps without disintegration. You may want to try those. I have had VMAX come apart at 3900fps in a 1 in 14" twist barrel. Only once though. It probably was just a bad bullet. But in that same barrel, VMAX's give outstanding accuracy and the Nosler's give terrible accuracy. For comparison, the VMAX's will consistently group 5/8" groups while the Nosler's will group around 2.5" consistently. If someone could explain why the Nosler's group so badly, I would love to know. The only thing I can come up with is maybe the bearing surface is too short, or maybe the bullet is too hard because of the super thick cooper jacket towards the rear of the bullet.