.223 Subsonic twist rate?

[libertyman777]

Will I be looking to shoot heavy/long bullets for subsonic .223? The rifle will be a bolt gun. What twist rate, 1/7? Barrel length?

Thanks,

Paul

[LouBoyd]

Hart offers a 6" twist barrel. That's the fastest I know of from any manufacturer. Sierra makes 90 grain Matchkings which should give fair wind and drop performance. I would expect that combination to work subsonic though I haven't tried it.

I'm curious though why you'd choose a subsonic 223 Rem over a subsonic 300 whisper. I would expect the performace to be inferior in every respect except maybe for having less recoil. The 223 case has way too much chamber volume to give high expansion ratio and low velocity dispersion. A 221 Fireball would be better, but still more case capacity than optimum.

[libertyman777]

Originally Posted by LouBoyd

Hart offers a 6" twist barrel. That's the fastest I know of from any manufacturer. Sierra makes 90 grain Matchkings which should give fair wind and drop performance. I would expect that combination to work subsonic though I haven't tried it.

I'm curious though why you'd choose a subsonic 223 Rem over a subsonic 300 whisper. I would expect the performace to be inferior in every respect except maybe for having less recoil. The 223 case has way too much chamber volume to give high expansion ratio and low velocity dispersion. A 221 Fireball would be better, but still more case capacity than optimum.

Hey Lou,

I'm not choosing it over .300 Whisper, I"m including it along with .308 for use with my .30 caliber can (when I buy it). I plan on threading every barrel that I buy for my Savage that is .30 and under. I know that subsonic .223 will not be as quiet as it could be out of a dedicated .223 can and most of the time, I'll be shooting supersonic with the can in place but I was hoping that I could buy a barrel in a twist rate that would allow good performance either way.

I didn't understand part of your answer

Originally Posted by LouBoyd

The 223 case has way too much chamber volume to give high expansion ratio and low velocity dispersion. A 221 Fireball would be better, but still more case capacity than optimum.

. Could you elaborate?

Thanks,

Paul

[Expatriot]

Subsonic 223 is a total waste of time. You'd be better off with a suppressed .22 rimfire. It will be safer and more reliable, not to mention a lot more fun to shoot.

[Alleycat]

Originally Posted by Expatriot

Subsonic 223 is a total waste of time. You'd be better off with a suppressed .22 rimfire. It will be safer and more reliable, not to mention a lot more fun to shoot.

I've seen this type of response several times and it always chaps my ass.

[Garrett]

I recently started playing with subsonic .223 in a variety of bullet weights, from 40 gr. up to around 75 gr (using different rifles, with appropriate twists for the various bullet weights). I have been using Trailboss powder, as it fills the case to not quite 2/3 full.

Initial testing is good. I'm half thinking of punching a few milk jugs full of water to see if something like a V-Max or Nosler Ballistic tip will actually fragment at subsonic velocities. If so, this would be a much better round on small critters than any .22LR solid or HP. This also gives me the option to tailor the load specifically to my rifles, rather than check multiple makes and lots of .22 LR for one that gives optimal velocity from a given barrel.

[Spook]

Originally Posted by Alleycat

I've seen this type of response several times and it always chaps my ass.

Well said.

[Sid Post]

Originally Posted by Expatriot

Subsonic 223 is a total waste of time. You'd be better off with a suppressed .22 rimfire. It will be safer and more reliable, not to mention a lot more fun to shoot.

It all depends on what you are trying to do. Even with 60 grain 22lr in the mix, there are better options for some applications in a .223 caliber rifle though, I'd be tempted to stick with a .221 Fireball.

[Fritzcat]

I have done some shooting with my 223s and not nailed a load yet. It is fun and cheap to plink with. I have also used the 22lr conversion in some of my ARs and sub-sonic with acceptable results.

[i8asquirrel]

I have not tried .223 subsonic but I shoot a 5.7x28 with 60gr. Vmax over 2.7 gr of Hodgin Clays. I fire it through a 22lt can from a Ar57 works great