Thread: 223 on deer

Originally Posted by 25/08 IMP

I've got some 77TMK loaded ready to try same powder charge as I loaded the 80 Targex so I hope they shoot ok.

Are you running them in a tikka? What COAL are you trying them at?

Originally Posted by 6.5 CRD

Are you running them in a tikka? What COAL are you trying them at?

The 80 grn Targex are 20thou off the lands I'll be able to give you a LOA once I go over to my reloading room.
I also use Waterman magazines which don't limit your length.
I just wish the Targex 80 were available as they shoot the best of any of the heavy weight pills in mine

Sent from my CPH2145 using Tapatalk

I had loaded 26 grains of AR2206 behind the 55 grain in my old Brno .223 for years. This gave around 3,200 fps with its long and worn throat. When a new .223 appeared in the cupboard in 2005 a mid load for the 55 grain from Nick Harvey's 6th edition of 23 grains of AR2206 was tried. I was expecting around 3,050 fps based on NH velocities but the chronograph only said just under 2,900 fps and in a 26 inch barrel too. FFS if I had wanted a .22 Hornet I would have bought one so a hunt around turned up an ADI 3rd addition (2000) which listed 25.5 grains for 3,250 fps. This time the chronograph said 3,235 fps, snap. Later when the slightly slower AR2206H replaced AR2206 the Hodgdons data for H4895 (AR2206H) showed 26 grain behind the 55 grain as max. This was a tight fit in the case so 25.5 grains was used chronographing 3,170 in the T3x. 25 grains behind the 69 grain Sierra HPTBT produced 2,960 fps.
I know your feelings @ Mickey Duck on chronographs and you are likely very happy with the load you are using but just in case you want to here is some data that may be of use and some reasons others are using the higher loads.
Regards Grandpamac.

Originally Posted by grandpamac

I had loaded 26 grains of AR2206 behind the 55 grain in my old Brno .223 for years. This gave around 3,200 fps with its long and worn throat. When a new .223 appeared in the cupboard in 2005 a mid load for the 55 grain from Nick Harvey's 6th edition of 23 grains of AR2206 was tried. I was expecting around 3,050 fps based on NH velocities but the chronograph only said just under 2,900 fps and in a 26 inch barrel too. FFS if I had wanted a .22 Hornet I would have bought one so a hunt around turned up an ADI 3rd addition (2000) which listed 25.5 grains for 3,250 fps. This time the chronograph said 3,235 fps, snap. Later when the slightly slower AR2206H replaced AR2206 the Hodgdons data for H4895 (AR2206H) showed 26 grain behind the 55 grain as max. This was a tight fit in the case so 25.5 grains was used chronographing 3,170 in the T3x. 25 grains behind the 69 grain Sierra HPTBT produced 2,960 fps.
I know your feelings @ Mickey Duck on chronographs and you are likely very happy with the load you are using but just in case you want to here is some data that may be of use and some reasons others are using the higher loads.
Regards Grandpamac.

At the moment I have over 600 rounds of .223 loaded. I have a wallaby/bunny culling trip coming up.

I weigh every charge using a scoop, trickler and scales.
All of my loads are on the warm end but no pressure signs. Cases last ok.

52 ELDM & Targex 26.5 BM2 (wallaby & bunny odd deer) (3 different rifles same OAL)
55 Hornady. 26.5 W748 (wallaby & bunny odd deer) (3 different rifles same OAL))
55 Sierra GK 25.5 2206H (wallaby & bunny odd deer) (Tikka)
69 Targex 25.3 2206H (deer & wallaby) (Model 7)
74 Targex 25 2206H (Bryn made these for me using the 69grn jackets 'cos he doesn't have 80 grn jackets) (deer & wallaby) (Tikka)
77 Sierra Tipped 24.5 2206H (deer only) (Tikka)
80 grn Targex 24.4 2206H (deer & wallaby - reserving the 50 I have left for deer) (Savage & Tikka)

All of these loads shoot under .5moa. 3 different .223's. The 55 Hornady and 52 grain loads shoot superbly across the 3 rifles. Others are specific for an individual rifle.
Savage has 1:8 twist Trueflight barrel. Model 7 1:9. Tikka 1:8

Originally Posted by grandpamac

I had loaded 26 grains of AR2206 behind the 55 grain in my old Brno .223 for years. This gave around 3,200 fps with its long and worn throat. When a new .223 appeared in the cupboard in 2005 a mid load for the 55 grain from Nick Harvey's 6th edition of 23 grains of AR2206 was tried. I was expecting around 3,050 fps based on NH velocities but the chronograph only said just under 2,900 fps and in a 26 inch barrel too. FFS if I had wanted a .22 Hornet I would have bought one so a hunt around turned up an ADI 3rd addition (2000) which listed 25.5 grains for 3,250 fps. This time the chronograph said 3,235 fps, snap. Later when the slightly slower AR2206H replaced AR2206 the Hodgdons data for H4895 (AR2206H) showed 26 grain behind the 55 grain as max. This was a tight fit in the case so 25.5 grains was used chronographing 3,170 in the T3x. 25 grains behind the 69 grain Sierra HPTBT produced 2,960 fps.
I know your feelings @ Mickey Duck on chronographs and you are likely very happy with the load you are using but just in case you want to here is some data that may be of use and some reasons others are using the higher loads.
Regards Grandpamac.

when I first got my .223 my mate and reloading guru made me up some loads to try..nice and mild (pre suppressors) rifle didnt bark quite so much,and the first 4 shots in anger killed 4 pigs at 200ish yards,deader than dead things,to say I was impressed put it mildly...they also grouped into tiny wee clusters....
a wise man once said..if it works dont fuck with it...... so I didnt LMFAO.
I only upped the charge weight in recent years when loading 50grn barnes....
and if you can get a hornet to do 2900 you doing well

Interesting reading seeing I have acquired one although it is most likely a 1-12 twist.
Unless I get onto heaps of wallabies I probably won't reload either so factory ammo will be the go

Personally think you can’t fit enough powder in a small case to do anything too serious. Straight to max and get on with it

Originally Posted by Nathan F

Personally think you can’t fit enough powder in a small case to do anything too serious. Straight to max and get on with it

if you switch to ball powder like 748/benchmark 1-2 etc you can fit quite a bit more in......tapping side of case to settle 2206h will get it down in case a bit too.
funny thing is Ive said that about the 7.62x39mm when using ar2206h it litterally is full to the neck...a charge that is too much for 123-150grn projectiles, WONT fit in case no matter how hard you try.

This thread needs to be kept going so I took the .223 today. And Ive seen signs of @gimp wavering so need to keep his interest up - he's been asking questions on here about the 6mmARC for goodness sake

Roared this stag out of the trees and shot him at 327 yds with 80 grn Targex. Angled shot in behind his shoulder but not quite forward enough. He wasn't going anywhere but a follow up flush into his shoulder ended his day.

Originally Posted by Tahr

This thread needs to be kept going so I took the .223 today. And Ive seen signs of @gimp wavering so need to keep his interest up - he's been asking questions on here about the 6mmARC for goodness sake

Roared this stag out of the trees and shot him at 327 yds with 80 grn Targex. Angled shot in behind his shoulder but not quite forward enough. He wasn't going anywhere but a follow up flush into his shoulder ended his day.

Attachment 220994

Attachment 220995

Wavering? Nonsense

Originally Posted by gimp

Wavering? Nonsense

Attachment 221190

@gimp is there a little story that goes with that?

Originally Posted by Tahr

@gimp is there a little story that goes with that?

I, for one, certainly hope so !

Originally Posted by Tahr

@gimp is there a little story that goes with that?

Day 8 of 11 hunting 3 different areas. Identified a likely looking bush terrace, climbed up and sure enough there was a stag roaring. He was roaring well but wouldn't come in, so Dean kept him going while I snuck in on him. He stepped out from behind a big red beech, I shot him in the high shoulder, he more or less flopped over. A zone with a reasonably high number of skinny deer.

Yesterday's effort (day 11). I roared him up in a nice open red beech gully, he came charging in to about 10m and stopped to roar, so I shot him at the base of the skull. Not really in the spirit of this thread though, anything works with a head shot.

Originally Posted by gimp

Day 8 of 11 hunting 3 different areas. Identified a likely looking bush terrace, climbed up and sure enough there was a stag roaring. He was roaring well but wouldn't come in, so Dean kept him going while I snuck in on him. He stepped out from behind a big red beech, I shot him in the high shoulder, he more or less flopped over. A zone with a reasonably high number of skinny deer.

Yesterday's effort (day 11). I roared him up in a nice open red beech gully, he came charging in to about 10m and stopped to roar, so I shot him at the base of the skull. Not really in the spirit of this thread though, anything works with a head shot.

Attachment 221473

Cracker stag, nice paint job on that stock

Don't worry I'm a believer @Tahr, once I shake this covid I'm taking the 223 out to get my yearly supply of meat.

This is still my favourite thread and love it every time I see a new post.