Thread: 223 on deer

Originally Posted by grandpamac

Greetings,
This fascinated me a bit so I went out to the shed. 69grain Sierra HPTBT, Speer 70 grain semi point and 75 grain Hornady ELDM projectiles were fished out. I didn't have any 73 grain. The first thing that struck me was how long the ELDM projectiles were. The 69 grain Sierra projectiles are seated in my T3 mag about as long as the mag will allow so the ELDM projectiles will need to be seated to the same LOA. The ELDM projectiles are 5.8mm longer and will stick that much further into the powder space raising both pressure and velocity. Admittedly the 73 grain ELDM will be a little shorter but not that much. The 70 grain Speer is a completely different projectile so a poor comparison to a spitzer BT in my view with the Sierra a better comparison.
In summary compared the the 69 grain Sierra we have a significantly longer projectile plus heavier and in the T3 seated significantly deeper as well. All raise pressure and reduce the safety margin for a few fps more velocity. Not worth an eye in my book.
Regards Grandpamac.

You're absolutely correct if one is working in the confines of a 2.26" OAL standard SAAMI mag and that should be noted.


If there is the ability to load out longer than 2.26" OAL, e.g. using a waters-rifleman tikka mag, or an AICS of some flavour in any rifle, then the reduced case capacity due to the longer bullet is not an issue - typically you can seat these long, aerodynamic 70-80gr class of bullets with the base around the neck/shoulder junction of the case without jamming into the lands with a standard 223 chamber and a longer mag.


Anyone considering using these heavy for cal bullets should be looking at an over-length magazine option.

The 73ELDM are made specifically for a 2.26” mag. That is why there is a 73 and 75 ELDm.

In any event I’m satisfied that the safety envelope is inside the confines of the sorts of loads being used here. Especially with the 73 in a standard mag and the heavies in a longer one

This evening. 230 yds with a 60 grn Hammer. Front on central neck shot. Bored a good hole right through his neck and spine.
He was letting out the odd roar.

Looks dead.

Originally Posted by TeRei

Looks dead.

@TeRei Its what happens when you use a decent bullet. I can send you some to try?

Originally Posted by Tahr

@TeRei Its what happens when you use a decent bullet. I can send you some to try?

What 223 are you using the Hammers in Tahr? Do you still use that Rem Model 7 at all?

Originally Posted by Mathias

What 223 are you using the Hammers in Tahr? Do you still use that Rem Model 7 at all?

Savage lightweight with 1:8 Hardy Barrel.
Use the M7 on wallaby but not deer so much cos of its 1:9 twist. But the Hammers do work in it ok.

Okay 223 experts,whats a nice barrel length (suppressed)for a 223 using factory ammo.Shooting mostly inside 250yds,deer n roos.Not too long 24'' but not to short and noisy.

Originally Posted by Trout

Okay 223 experts,whats a nice barrel length (suppressed)for a 223 using factory ammo.Shooting mostly inside 250yds,deer n roos.Not too long 24'' but not to short and noisy.

I'm no expert, but 18-20" for me. Easy to get in & out of the truck or off the quad.

16 to 18inch
1:8 or 1:9 twist

I like 20". Handy without giving away too much performance. Have 2 at that length.
I have to say though that my full length Tikka doesn't bother me at all.

After several 20" 223s Im really liking the 18" Bergara . Its shooting 55g Fiocchi and Sako at just over 3000 fps

Tent man,
What length can you load to for a Bergara mag?


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Only about 59mm, maybe a tad more with the factory "box". I'm thinking of making a mod to mine - cutting the mag box rear block out and replacing it with a shorter one - as there is plenty of room. However the shortish throat and barrel all conspire to make it a journey of marginal gains . . .

Originally Posted by Tahr

I like 20". Handy without giving away too much performance. Have 2 at that length.
I have to say though that my full length Tikka doesn't bother me at all.

Would they go alright in a 22-250 (Tikka)?
I read somewhere the twist rate in the 250 was different to a 223.