Thread: 223 on deer

Originally Posted by Tahr

Gunworks are out of them and say that Hornady aren't making any more of the 62 grn.

Thats a shame because they were great value for money, I'm glad I still have over 400 left.

Might still be some on trade me, there use to be lots on there.

Originally Posted by 7mm Rem Mag

Thats a shame because they were great value for money, I'm glad I still have over 400 left.

Might still be some on trade me, there use to be lots on there.

Reloaders Supplies have/had them.

Originally Posted by Dama dama

Let's go with pretty windy then....
@7mm Rem Mag those 62gr hornady are a very attractive price for a cheap-arse like me. What have your terminal results been like?

I'm using Frontier 5.56 mm factory ammo loaded with the Hornady 62 gr. SP in a Troy 16" barrel.

Shot lots of goats, some pigs and a couple of fallow out to 150 yd. Almost always exits goats, smaller pigs & smaller fallow with chest shots. Shows good expansion.
I'd say it's every bit as good as the Hornady 55 gr SP with slightly better penetration.

Originally Posted by rockland

I'm using Frontier 5.56 mm factory ammo loaded with the Hornady 62 gr. SP in a Troy 16" barrel.

Shot lots of goats, some pigs and a couple of fallow out to 150 yd. Almost always exits goats, smaller pigs & smaller fallow with chest shots. Shows good expansion.
I'd say it's every bit as good as the Hornady 55 gr SP with slightly better penetration.

What sort of velocity do you get (from what length of barrel) Ta

This evening, 150 yards or so. 60 grn Hammer Hunter (3150 fps). Lung shot and passed though. Ran about 50 yards.

Originally Posted by Tahr

This evening, 150 yards or so. 60 grn Hammer Hunter (3150 fps). Lung shot and passed though. Ran about 50 yards.

Attachment 249790

I shot this using the new Sytong Day/Night scope. It was just on dusk and in colour/day mode. Nice clear image. Shooting it at 150 yards over my pack was easy peasy. I also scoped a few deer on my way home using the IR. About 150 yards and every bit as clear as the Zulus.
I haven't figured how to use the vid yet. Thats my next thing.

Originally Posted by Tentman

What sort of velocity do you get (from what length of barrel) Ta

Don't know sorry. My old F1 Chrony gave up as I was about to test this ammo. I was expecting 2960 - 3000 fps from a 16" 1-7 barrel.

ProChrono from another forum member on it's way... will let you know.

Originally Posted by Tentman

What sort of velocity do you get (from what length of barrel) Ta

Hornady 62 gr SP from 16" 1-7 twist barrel averaged 2,900 fps with Frontier 5.56 mm factory ammo.

It doesn’t take a lot of wind at full value to push a 60 gn .223 pill 50 cm sideways / across at 330m.


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those were doing 2760. 73gn ELDM with 25gn of 2208. Just using those up and will change to 25gn 2206h which is giving me 2950fps. This is a max load and shoots very well. By all reports the TMK's go well. But man its hard to fault the performance of those ELDM's.
What powder are you using?

Originally Posted by zeropak

those were doing 2760. 73gn ELDM with 25gn of 2208. Just using those up and will change to 25gn 2206h which is giving me 2950fps. This is a max load and shoots very well. By all reports the TMK's go well. But man its hard to fault the performance of those ELDM's.
What powder are you using?

For those reading this thread, these are extremely hot loads, to the point of being dangerous. GRT (albeit not calibrated with old mates brass capacity COAL or exact barrel length ) gives a pressure of around 70,000 psi for 25 of AR2206H behind a 73 gn. There is a 223 Tikka action in a local gunshop that has amoung other damage a cracked bolt and it took the shooters eye out - permanently!. This was with factory ammo, if you are operating any action in this pressure range there is the potential of catastrophic failure.

Originally Posted by Tentman

For those reading this thread, these are extremely hot loads, to the point of being dangerous. GRT (albeit not calibrated with old mates brass capacity COAL or exact barrel length ) gives a pressure of around 70,000 psi for 25 of AR2206H behind a 73 gn. There is a 223 Tikka action in a local gunshop that has amoung other damage a cracked bolt and it took the shooters eye out - permanently!. This was with factory ammo, if you are operating any action in this pressure range there is the potential of catastrophic failure.

Ok Thanks I appreciate the feedback. I was worked up to this load from 23.5 grains and do notice slight primer cratering. I did use the ADI Load data which gives a max load of 25gns of 2206h behind a 70gn projectile and 24.5gns behind a 75gn projectile. But you have good point, what works in 1 rifle is not always going to work on another and max loads should always be worked up to.

Originally Posted by Tentman

For those reading this thread, these are extremely hot loads, to the point of being dangerous. GRT (albeit not calibrated with old mates brass capacity COAL or exact barrel length ) gives a pressure of around 70,000 psi for 25 of AR2206H behind a 73 gn. There is a 223 Tikka action in a local gunshop that has amoung other damage a cracked bolt and it took the shooters eye out - permanently!. This was with factory ammo, if you are operating any action in this pressure range there is the potential of catastrophic failure.

Genuine question as this makes little to no sense to me without full info on the incident. 70kpsi in a 223 case has significantly less bolt thrust than a 300wsm at Saami max (about half) for example which is acting on the lugs and significantly more material left around the barrel which is where the excess pressure would be acting. Most actions are proofed to well beyond a 2x FOS. For a 223 to crack a bolt would suggest pressures much higher than 70kpsi and Id have to hazard a guess at a blocked barrel or patch etc left in the barrel causing this. Not saying its safe but loading into the 70k realm isn't uncommon (maybe not in 223) and a lot of the common pressure signs in brass dont even show up until higher than this in tight chambers and harder high quality brass.

Id guess there would be a significant number of reloaders on here with Lapua brass pushing these pressures in a huge range of cartridges on this forum.

The 73gr ELD-m go good in two tikka’s that I know of and another mate that want to give them a go when his Waterman mag turns up. Been running 24.5gr AR2208 seat out 2.511” OAL in mine with great accuracy.

My Bergara looks like it will shoot the 73s pretty good, 3/4 MOA or better, currently I'm experimenting with seating depth after getting to 2760 with 23.6 of AR2206H, not bad from an 18" barrel.