Rem. 700 PSS, 24" bbl. 1:9 twist .223 cal.

I've been trying 69 gr. Sierra Match BTHP with some success. Other bullets were Win. 55 gr. BT FMJ -- bulk pack. They perform less well.

While the OAL for .223 is supposedly 2.260", My Sinclair OAL gauge suggests OAL of 2.335" or thereabouts for 69 gr. bullets. I use a comparitor for lighter bullets and still get long OAL's.

Remington evidently puts a long throat in the chamber to cover their butts in liability. It's hard to load an OAL that gets up against the lands.

I've been hearing that I should try Nosler 40 gr. Ballistic Tip bullets, and forget about seating to the lands. Others raise the issue of stabilizing a 69 gr. bullet with a 1:9 twist.

What about Moly coated bullets? I hear all sorts of contrary ideas about them.

I'm ready to listen to any and all opinions.

Thanks

[This message has been edited by PowderBurns (edited 06-17-2001).]

Forget about trying to find the lands in that lawyer-proof barrel.

I have had best luck with the Sierra match bullets for paper and the Hornady V-Max for varmints. I have a 1:8 twist and really do well with the 80 gr. Sierras on paper.

I use the 55 gr. V-Max for varmints. (Not that I get a lot of varmints here in Ohio.)

The Redding Competition seating die made a believer out of me...

Don

P.B., Have you confirmed the twist you are working with in that barrel? If not I would go ahead and do that. I have an older PSS in .223, and it is 1/12 twist with the 24" barrel. I understand the newer ones are 1/9 twist, but I thought they had a 26" barrel. Anyway, my 1/12 twist .223 likes 52 gr Sierra match bullets or 52 gr Bergers. It also likes the 50 and 55 gr VMax. I have no trouble reaching the lands with these bullets, but it seems to like them best at .010 off the lands....ol blue

[This message has been edited by ol blue (edited 06-18-2001).]