Thread: 223 1:9twist load recommendations for deer

Hi fella’s
So I’ve acquired a marlin x7 223 with a 16” barrel DPT can and Zerotech Vengance 4.5-18x44 and it’s quite a neat little gun.
Unfortunately it’s shooting like shit with the 4 different types of factory ammo I’ve put through it and I’m sick of buying ammo for it to not like.
I did some googling and was pleasantly surprised to find it has a 1:9 twist, with this in mind anyone got a starting point for me?
Red deer inside 200m and fallow, I’m aware of shot placement and all that I will not be pushing the limits I have a 270 and 7mmRM also.
Anybody running a 223 with the heavy’s? I was looking at the 75gr eldms or will I still struggle even with the 1:9?
I have Norma brass and that’s all so will need to purchase powder and projectiles.
Any advice from guys running similar set ups and what I could expect is welcome..
Cheers

Mine is 1:10 and so far anything below 64grn works for me. Basic 55 grn loads are plurry good,would be very surprised if yours won't group them nicely,haven't body shot deer with them ( not counting yesterday's VMAX jobbie) but man do they make them eyes go bulgy if you poke one in the head.

60gn Hornady, 63gn Sierra - drop deer no problems. 1-9 might be a tad too slow for the 75's, only one way to find out.

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

Mine is 1:10 and so far anything below 64grn works for me. Basic 55 grn loads are plurry good,would be very surprised if yours won't group them nicely,haven't body shot deer with them ( not counting yesterday's VMAX jobbie) but man do they make them eyes go bulgy if you poke one in the head.

I shot a large red spiker the other night with a Norma oryx 55gr in the crease and it ran about 80m the bullet exited with a surprising amount of damage, problem is it’s grouping around 2moa with that particular ammo, hence the body shot. Might step up to something in the 60gr range and go for accuracy. Got to love a 223!

65gr sierra game kings went well in a Savage I had, should be ok in 1:9

Originally Posted by Husky1600#2

60gn Hornady, 63gn Sierra - drop deer no problems. 1-9 might be a tad too slow for the 75's, only one way to find out.

You’re not wrong, thanks I’ll do some investigation. Any powder recommendations and what speeds I could expect from the 16”

1:9 won't handle anything over 69 grains, they may look ok on paper at 100 yds but will be tumbling shortly after that as they slow. A simple cup and core bullet of up to 65 grains is your best bet. Although the sierra 55 grain hollow point boat tail is a real performer.

Get your dies n primers sorted and get in touch.i will post you a few different pills to try. Hornady 55grn are usually really good performers and personally I've never seen a bad one from speer yet. Powder...win 748 or adi2206 and you can't go wrong. Both dead easy to get load data for.both work well for me.

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

Get your dies n primers sorted and get in touch.i will post you a few different pills to try. Hornady 55grn are usually really good performers and personally I've never seen a bad one from speer yet. Powder...win 748 or adi2206 and you can't go wrong. Both dead easy to get load data for.both work well for me.

Thanks Micky going over and above as per, will do

69gr Tipped Matchking would be the best thing to try. Should stabilise

Factory ammo 60gr hornady whitetail.

Reloading try 62gr hornady SP with 25.5gr 2206H

Before you go too far down the track....can it shoot at all or is there something not right with the rifle setup? Check all the usuals and make sure it's good and clean.

Same rifle but 22"barrel. Same twist.
IIRC 18mm at 100 yards. This is my current load.

@Oldbloke the sierra super roo isn't something ive seen here in NZ. We used to get nosler shots which were evidently for the roo trade and we're a damn good bullet

I shot 65gamekings in my 1-9 model 7 no flash plastic tips and I wouldn’t a clue what the bc was but man they really are a very empathetic killer and I’d happily recommend them to anyone with the mentioned criteria I didn’t shoot any reds but I wouldn’t hesitate to it knock fallow stags and wild pork over very well