Jack,
Please correct me if I am wrong. When I punch in the numbers using Hornady published F.P.S. and V Max ammo. With the Swift shooting 55’s and a fast twist .223 shooting 75’s with a BC of .435 on the 75 gr. here is what I see at 500 yards, zero 200, wind at 10 mph / 90 degree. Basically, I see a large difference in drop(difference of 16” Swift much better) and less difference in drift (8” fast twist .223 shooting 75’s better).
Swift / Drop -33.9” / Drift 90 degree 10 mph = 29.5”
.223 F.T. / Drop - -49.3” / Drift 90 degree 10 mph = 21.89”
I can see the advantage of the F.T. 223 at bench long distance if there is a 10mph / 90 degree wind present. Where with sighters shots one can “dial up” for the difference in drop and then just be concerned with drift which is less. If there is much wind that day.
But, isn’t that (sighters, dialing up, adjusting) more a luxury of bench shooting rather than hunting ? I think there is a reason varmint hunters as a whole prefer flat shooting first. And a reason bench shooters prefer less drift first. It’s also hard to find a fast twist .223 bolt or single shot. I think most are 1-12 aren’t they ? I would guess that 90% of the varmint hunters use bolts or single shots for accuracy and the fact that varmints don’t shoot back, unlike home defense, combat or real world tactical concerns.
Also I would guess that for predators, which are on the move nearly always. Dial up is used very little. Hold over would be used more and less drop would be better. For varmints PD’s and Woodchucks maybe 50 % or less dial up I am guessing ? The rest use hold over, different ballistic compensating reticles and rifles that are flat to 300 from the start. To gain that 400 – 600 yard accuracy edge dialing up on varmints takes an investment. Offset rings to allow for greater elevation adjustments, greater time to adjust while the varmint holds in one area, no sighter shots to adjust from really unless you have a spotter maybe, time spent knowing and charting what your clicks are really, and a very accurate in terms of windage and elevation adjustment high dollar scope that gets it right the first time with out sighters. And then that’s if there is much wind for an advantage. As there would be less total adjustments even if dialing up with a flat shooting .204, 22-250, Swift or .243 than the F.T. .223 with little or no wind.
I realize it can surely be more accurate at long range varmint hunting if there is wind, one has the time, and one has the accurate gear calculated. I was just wondering if it is really more useful at long range bench shooting than varmint hunting in real life ? Seems to me it would be.
BTW - Not picking on the fast twist .223 bolt. As I would like one and consider it one of my personal favorite varmint calibers along with the .204, Swift, 22-250 and .243 . I just lean toward the flatter shooting for long distance hunting rather than long distance bench. Could be wrong, always looking to learn
Hope to pick up a fast twist .223 one of these days. I just did not think of it as a advantage for varmint/predator hunting. I looked at the advandage as more for long distance bench. And looked at them as really made more for combat & tacticle where they want more energy at the target(larger and heavier human target) with heavier grains, at about 200 yards and in, with fast follow up. Along with a few bench guns.