[mixflip]

55gr .223 lake city factory reload, standing, off hand... how far (in general) will the projectile fly downrange max before it hits the ground?

Could it go 1400 yards? I thought the little 55gr bullet drops well inside 1000 yards???

[FL Airedale]

There are a lot of variables to consider. If you fire a typical 55 gr .223 and have it zeroed at 200 yards, it will will drop over 4 feet by the time it reaches 500 yards. It could be plus or minus 6 to 8 inches depending on what barrel you're shooting it out of and which ammo you are using.

If you aim 4 feet high and still hit your target at 500 yards, the bullet will still be moving over 1000 fps and can still inflict a fatal wound.

To hit something at 1400 yards, you'd have to lob the bullet. I don't know how fast it would be going at that point, but I wouldn't want to be on the receiving end.

[RedHaze]

The number has bounced around a bit, but 3600 meters is the MAX range taught in the Marine Corps. Don't be confused with max effective range, which is taught as 800m. Doesn't mean that a solid hit at 1157 meters isn't going to hurt, just that solid hits at that range can't be relied upon to be repeatable.

For reference, 3600 meters is 3937 yards, or 2 mi. and some change.

[fredj338]

Originally Posted by mixflip

55gr .223 lake city factory reload, standing, off hand... how far (in general) will the projectile fly downrange max before it hits the ground?

Could it go 1400 yards? I thought the little 55gr bullet drops well inside 1000 yards???

Try somewhere in the 1.5-2 mile range if you have elevated the muzzle enough. As noted, not much left when it gets there, but it can get there.

[Rev.357]

1st what is your Zero
2nd what is your Vel.
3rd what is your target size

I shoot the .223 LR & yes a 55gr can go 1.5mi+!

[DJ Niner]

Here ya go (click to embiggen):



Go to the site and run different combinations of the numbers for yourself.

[mixflip]

Thanks guys. Great info.