Thread: .223 results

I have a wide range of .223 bullets on my shelf that I have used (or not used) for various things over the years. I figure that I may as well shoot them all at things, as a way of getting rid of them. These include some bullets I have purchased recently specifically to test for stability (88 ELDM) and terminal effectiveness (80 ELDX and 77 TMK). Forum member @Maxx has also been kind enough to send me some 68gr Tipped Hammer Hunters.

Did a bit of a mega-test of 5 bullets from the stock - looking to see how they shoot from my rifle, get a half decent idea of the zero offset from my normal load, and get a velocity average, with the intent that I can just load up my entire stock and have the required info to go shoot things with them.

All groups just shot as a group of 10. Loads picked at semi-random from book data, being sort-of conservative. My throat is not long so all these bullets are well into the case. Once I wear this barrel out (hah!) I will look to get a 1:7 with a longer throat.
80 ELDX - These didn't shoot particularly well. I would want to shoot a few on steel further out before taking them hunting as they may be right on the edge of stability - the 80ELDM is supposed to be unstable from a 1:8 and shoots from my barrel however the ELDX is a different bullet. Precision fine for hunting but not great. If they prove to be stable and I feel like actually seriously using them, I would try a different powder and better brass.

77 TMK is well into the case. Shoots well.

68 HHT is also very far into the case. Went with a quite conservative load here because it is a mono. Noticed my suppressor loose while shooting unfortunately, however precision appears fine. I will use this load to shoot some animals with the remaining bullets i have. If I wanted to use these seriously I would re-test with a snug suppressor. I attribute the "flier" to the loose suppressor. More interested in terminal ballistics from here.

70gr VLD, shoots fine. I have quite a lot sitting here but don't recall ever using them hunting. Again bullet is well inside the case. I'll load up my remaining bullets and use them.

88 ELDM doesn't stabilise in 1:8 twist. Only something like 7 of 10 hit the paper, some going sideways. I don't think you can get much more speed than this from a standard chamber, it is a very long bullet with a lot of it inside the case. If wanting to shoot these you'd need a 1:7.5 at least if not 1:7, and probably a long throat.