Thread: 223 on deer

Just now, 40m standing in the scrub. All instant collapses.

I find these classic 70gr Speer are very capable.

man those goats are FAT..... 70grn speers you say...must have a look on my shelf LOL.

Originally Posted by Flyblown

70gr Speer semi-point, about 3150fps. No quibble.

@Flyblown what's the load? That's quite fast for a 70gr isn't it? Just curious as my 75gr ELD Load only does 2750 out my howa.

Had to look in my book also @Hunty1

Originally Posted by Tentman

Hello all. My model 7 223 with 1:12 twist is going very nicely with Hornady factory 55 grainers, intended for wallabies and goats.

But it seems I've got lucky and this rifle shoots everything I've tried in it to a very similar point of aim at 100M- within 10-12mm which isn't what ya usually get!

Anyhoo if a bloke wanted the most effective 60/70 gn bullet for the odd deer that pops up when a bloke is out and about (like the one @Tahr is posing with in his nice green jacket) would one bother to change rounds (time permitting) and if so what is the optimum choice. I'm more likely to trip over a Red where I mostly hunt . . .

I just carry a few 50grn TTSX or 55grn TTSX loads in my tit pocket....same load as all other loads just different projectile.... they tip deer n pigs over nicely.
did cock up the other day loading mag in the dark and I shot 3 wallabies with 55grn TTSX..... not ideal at all...far too pricey and too hard for them,did wonder what was going on when first one hopped off looking crook instead of expiring on the spot.

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

I just carry a few 50grn TTSX or 55grn TTSX loads in my tit pocket....same load as all other loads just different projectile.... they tip deer n pigs over nicely.
did cock up the other day loading mag in the dark and I shot 3 wallabies with 55grn TTSX..... not ideal at all...far too pricey and too hard for them,did wonder what was going on when first one hopped off looking crook instead of expiring on the spot.

Barnes seem to have dried up in NZ. Targex 69gr seems the alternative or lighter pill Bryn makes.

gunworks still showing 45-50and 53grn barnes in stock......

Entry wound after skinning, head down feeding 50-60m. 55gr fioochi soft point (factory box doesn't give any other details) 223 t3 1/8 twist barrel cut down short (can't recall length but so the dpt just clears the stock)

Bit surprised exit wound wasn't any bigger but it had been a while since I used anything other than the 308.

Originally Posted by 223nut

Attachment 190204
Attachment 190205
Entry wound after skinning, head down feeding 50-60m. 55gr fioochi soft point (factory box doesn't give any other details) 223 t3 1/8 twist barrel cut down short (can't recall length but so the dpt just clears the stock)

Bit surprised exit wound wasn't any bigger but it had been a while since I used anything other than the 308.

Did the neck get broken by the bullet?

Originally Posted by caberslash

Did the neck get broken by the bullet?

Yep, I sometimes have trouble getting a join in the spine to take the head off, not an issue on this one.

Originally Posted by Hunty1

@Flyblown what's the load? That's quite fast for a 70gr isn't it? Just curious as my 75gr ELD Load only does 2750 out my howa.

@Hunty1, I should have the raw chrono speeds in a file somewhere. I remember being surprised at the speed, but then it is a hottish load of 2206H. Certainly above ADI book max but IIRC about the same as another source’s book max. My Howa is 20” barrel.

But I do remember tuning the velocity and the BC to fit the drop data, which was a lot less drop than I expected at 300m. So I think the velocity and the BC both went up so I got a curve that matched the other drops. It hits where its supposed to farther out so, guess that’s what counts.

Originally Posted by Flyblown

@Hunty1, I should have the raw chrono speeds in a file somewhere. I remember being surprised at the speed, but then it is a hottish load of 2206H. Certainly above ADI book max but IIRC about the same as another source’s book max. My Howa is 20” barrel.

But I do remember tuning the velocity and the BC to fit the drop data, which was a lot less drop than I expected at 300m. So I think the velocity and the BC both went up so I got a curve that matched the other drops. It hits where its supposed to farther out so, guess that’s what counts.

Thanks for that, I'm also running a hot load of 2206H and was surprised by my low velocity. Need to shoot it at range to confirm. As you say as long as it hits where its expected that's the main thing!

Is it just me or are 223's particularly "unreliable" when it comes to predicting velocity against barrel lengths?

I shot my Rem M7 in the weekend, Hornady 55gn ammo with a specified velocity of 3240.

The M7 has an 18" barrel with a muzzle forward suppressor. I was surprised to Chrony the H55's at 3100, from everything I'd read they should have been around 2950??

Originally Posted by Tentman

Is it just me or are 223's particularly "unreliable" when it comes to predicting velocity against barrel lengths?

I shot my Rem M7 in the weekend, Hornady 55gn ammo with a specified velocity of 3240.

The M7 has an 18" barrel with a muzzle forward suppressor. I was surprised to Chrony the H55's at 3100, from everything I'd read they should have been around 2950??

all depends on barrel and chamber mate. i have a 308 that gives 2820fps with the same ammo that gives 2700 in another 308 wiht a longer barrel, same i had a 16" 243 that gave 150fps more than another 22" 243 with same ammo

Originally Posted by Dreamer

Nice one and @gimp bring back your videos!

Originally Posted by gimp

I keep thinking about it, but I get a lot more hunting done just hunting...

C’mon !

Make with the content already…… that cool little rifle is begging for a PATHFilmsNZ YouTube esposé.