Winchester .223 White Box Ballistics

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goody523

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Has anyone verified the ballistics for this round that are posted on Winchester's web site? I know it depends somewhat on barrel lenght and scope mounting height, but I am wondering if they are realtively close to real world experience. Thanks-
 
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The averaged 3232 fps from a 22 inch barrel NEF handi rifle and 3358 fps from my Tikka T3 barrel 23+ inch (can't remember the exact length.

Nowhere near the 3600 fps win claims on the box.

Accuracy was good though.
 
I never bothered to check or have the velocity checked on them because they shoot a dang lot faster than anything can run. I also heard other claims like you show of 3200-3300fps and figured it was just marketing.

On the other hand though I had the opposite results on accuracy in my rifle. I was finding 1 out of 5 to 8 flyers and I am not talking about 1 or 2 inches all the time. Some were getting out 4 to 6 inches off of the mark. I can pull a bad shot off with the best of them but I'm banking it was the ammo since I don't seem to have that problem with anything else.
 
I didn't notice too many fliers - maybe one out of every 15 shots, but that could have just as easily been me. I'm really looking for the accurate ballistic tables so I can have Leupold make me a set of custom turrets for the rifle I use these bullets in.
 
hello, if i understand you are going to have leupold make custom turrets based on how this ammo shoots ? maybe i misunderstood..if i didn't your money would be well spent on other causes......
 
Actually, with proper ballistics data on the ammo, there are a couple places building turrets that you simply dial in for distance.... really a neat deal.

Mr. Goody....what weapon/barrel length you using?

I have a 24" Encore with a 1:12 twist and a 20" AR with a 1:9 twist. If you have anything that matches length and twist, I'll clock some of the little buggers for you this weekend and get back to you on the velocity.
 
I am shooting a Remington VLSF with a 22" barrel with a 1:9 twist - probably falls somewhere between your two. As far as having the turret made by Leupold, it is about $90 to have them make you a turret that has exact mark offs for distance based on a certain load, barrel ,etc.. I guess some guys might think it's a waste of money, but I have blown $90 on things a lot less useful (bar tabs, etc.). I like the idea of having it right there on the turret as opposed to trying to memorize the clicks or taping an index card to the stock. To each his own I suppose.
 
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Hey I think the turrets are a very good idea. I have only had to watch "John" on the Best of the West do his long range shooting a couple time to see the obvious advantage to that system.

I'll test a few rounds of the 45 grain White Box winny stuff through both rifles and let you know what it clocks at.
 
goody,your right i have wasted more than $90.00 on far worse things adult beverages-betting..i could list more but it might become boring...not to rain on you i just don't like winny white box-some guys do,i guess i never got the right lots or something.it has been inconsistant for me.i was just worried about trying to gear up a presicion rig shooting non-presicion ammo.sounds like you have been shooting a while..if your p.o.i. shifts & groups open up odds are its not your equipment..good luck !!
 
I'd like to see that info TCMAN, I have the same 223 barrel. All I know is they put a good hole in a coyote and it hits the ground. I'm Curius to know just how fast they are really comming out of my barrel.

t/c223encore.
 
I like the white box and it's my go to ammo when there is not time to reload, but, knowing what your plan is for the turrets it would seem that the velocity would be only a part of the equation. You would also need the BC for the bullet and prefereably the BC out of your barrel. Also, the velocity could vary from lot to lot as well as from my barrel to yours.

Also, the velocities above don't tell the whole story. The SD for the loads ran right around 49. You can do way better than that with a good reload using the white box brass you have accumulated (or, send it to me if you don't want it!!)

Does Win publish a BC for the bullet? They don't sell it to reloaders that's for sure!
 
OK...here's the scoop

Encore with 24" Brl & 1:12 twist Av. Vel was 3590 fps.

Olympic Arms 20" Brl & 1:9 twist Av. Vel was 3435 fps
 
That's pretty darn close to the advertised 3600 fps. If you look at what Leupold asks for it's either velocity and BC or drop in hundred yard incremets all the way out to 1000 yards. I have no idea of anywhere I can go to measure drop at that distance - hell I'd have to have a target 300' high and aim at the top of it just to measure. I'll have to think about the best way to approach this. Winchester posts the drop out to 600 yards on their web site- that would be plenty far for me. Even if it isn't perfect, it would certainly get me in the game.

As far as fliers, maybe I just haven't shot enough, but I sure don't seem to get any with this ammo. I'm saving the brass anyway so when I do buy all my reloading BS I'll have a bunch of fireformed brass to start with.

Thanks for all the input.
 
As mentioned a little earlier, I'd explore the weight versus drop on a little heavier bullet too first. The 45 is going to drop pretty fast.

If you've explored it first, then you will most likely be satisfied the best with whatever you settle on.
 
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Has anyone verified the ballistics for this round that are posted on Winchester's web site? I know it depends somewhat on barrel lenght and scope mounting height, but I am wondering if they are realtively close to real world experience. Thanks-



White Box comes in 2 different weights. 45 gr. HP, and 55 gr. FMJ. JOHN
 
These figures are for the 45 grainer..,....

OK...here's the scoop

Encore with 24" Brl & 1:12 twist Av. Vel was 3590 fps.

Olympic Arms 20" Brl & 1:9 twist Av. Vel was 3435 fps


PS....Pays to read your question good the first time....these are the velocities, NOT the Ballistics....

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Praise God and give him the Glory for All Things
 
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I can't access firearms websites here at work.

If somebody can get the figures from the Winchester website and post them here (rated muzzle velocity and bullet drop to whatever yardage they list) I will come up with a BDC chart with the correct barrel length. If they do happen to list bullet velocity at the longest yardage they also list drop for, I can back into the bullet BC.

If Leupold doesn't have the particular BDC knob that is correct for you, then you will have to have Kenton Industries do a full custom knob or make your own. They are actually pretty easy to make but don't look quite as nice as the laser etched BDC knobs.

As a couple of people have mentioned, the BDC knob will probably not be exact (the bad news)....but.... will definitely be a lot closer than some wild [beeep] guess (the good news). After you take some shots you will get a feel for how far off the BDC knob is and adjust accordingly to allow you to get some first round hits at long yardage.

If you want to use a different method that will get you to the same place without spending any money at all, here is how to do it.
Tape a piece of paper to the side of the stock opposite the bolt handle. On the piece of paper list the elevation adjustment required for various known distance yardages with your particular load and the windage adjustment for a 10 mph wind.

For example:
.223 @ 3500 fps with 100 yard zero and a scope with 1/4 moa clicks shooting a bullet with a BC of .19

100y -- +0 --W 5
150y -- +2 --W 8
200y -- +5 --W 12
250y -- +9 --W 15
300y -- +14 --W 20
350y -- +20 --W 24
400y -- +26 --W 28

When the laser range finder tells you that the target is 392 yards count up 27 clicks from your 100 yard zero. Take a look at how much wind you feel and what direction it comes from. Dial in the wind as you judge. Send the round. Correct as necessary.

I teach and practice this stuff every week. Pretty simple after the initial learning curve.
 
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