Why heavy 223 bullets?

[Bofire]

  I have almost always shot 55 grain in my 223's, no reason , just do. Shot some 45 grain they did not seem to kill as well.
all I have tried have been coyote accurate. My AR is 1:8 twist so I can shoot pretty heavy bullets.
Why do I want to? Thanks
Carl

[hillbilli]

the purpose for heavy bullets like the 77gr, aside from trying as some people do to stretch this cartridge's capability and shoot larger critters, is for long range use. In service rifle matches, you can use light bullets at 200 and 300yds just fine, but at 400, 500, and 600yds, the longer heavier, more efficient bullets are needed..

[jaymark6655]

Hevier rounds almost always have higher ballistic coefficents.  Short range they will have a slower velocity, but out at longer ranges they will retain more of their velocity, get pushed around by the wind less and have higher kinetic energy.

[marlin]

Keep shooting 55gr in .223 and get a bigger rifle for bigger bullets =)

[JimmyHoffa]

So you can still full cycle the bolt of most ARs with a subsonic (1050 fps generally) round, more of a deal with using a suppressor.

[jaymark6655]

Keep shooting 55gr in .223 and get a bigger rifle for bigger bullets =)

I love that idea.  My wife not so much.    Still trying to convince her we need a .338 LM, Stiller 338 action, Proof Research carbon fiber barrel, XLR chassis and a Nightforce scope.   

[coachcw]

Keep shooting 55gr in .223 and get a bigger rifle for bigger bullets =)

I love that idea.  My wife not so much.    Still trying to convince her we need a .338 LM, Stiller 338 action, Proof Research carbon fiber barrel, XLR chassis and a Nightforce scope.   

dosn't every familly need one ?      55 grain horandy vmax in the .223 killing yotes graveyard dead !

[Bofire]

Sounds to me like if I can find an accurate heavier bullet I can increase my effective range 50-75 yards due to long range trajectory and a heavier bullets penetration.
Thanks for the input
Carl

[FALFire]

Carl,

I just ordered an 8 twist, 18" 223 barrel for my AR that I am still waiting arrival on. I wanted the 8 twist so I can shoot the 70gr Berger VLD's in, they are superbly accurate in my 8 twist 22-250 and we often times shoot coyotes at extended ranges. So I wanted a 600 yard bullet that is very accurate for this application and the 8 twist should get me there with less wind effects than the 55's I have been using. Wind sucks and I need all the help I can get here on the east side.