Thread: 223 on deer

Originally Posted by TeRei

The obvious clue is that for you the heavier pills are doing better? Interesting.

Yes. 70-80 grn seem to be the sweet spot - for me anyway. Monos can be a bit lighter. Contingent on barrel twist.

Im doing a goat cull early next week and will try a few Hammers on them - damned expensive culling.

Also on your calculations 3/4 of your best are NZ rollies. Who said kiwi made aint good. Happy culling. Done 200 Hammers. Yet to try. Going sightseeing next week. Might take a couple. Best.

Those Hammers!

Home now. They were 240 yards (above). Yearling side on low heart shot. Staggered 5 yards and tipped over. I could see blood spraying all over the place through my scope. Mum ran 20 yards and stopped facing me. Front on chest shot and she bolted. I found her 15 yards away.

When I gutted them they both had shredded hearts. Not sure if that was the main projectile or petal damage. Will have a good look when I go and collect them from the scrub tree in a couple of days. Couldn't be stuffed carrying them tonight.

Front on one.

I took my Son out for a quick hunt tonight, he couldn't stop laughing when I put my little 223 round beside his 7mm rem mag however I had the last laugh when I dropped this spiker @ 200 meters using the 77gr TMK's straight down no farting in church





A big relief as my freezer was starting to look a little lean

@7mm Rem Mag where did you hit it?

Good work.

Gooding hunting for June,well done.

Originally Posted by Tahr

@7mm Rem Mag where did you hit it?

Good work.

I aimed for the head, when I saw the blood around its mouth I thought maybe I had hit a lung but on inspection of the carcase there was absolutely no sign of a wound anywhere so a head shot it is.









Ha ha I did think it could have died of a heart attack with the projectile of the mighty 223 passing close by

Thanks @Tahr for helping me with the load for the 77gr TMK's, I think my load is 1 grain of powder less than yours from memory but still very accurate.

Hi Tahr I've got a couple of questions.
Which Hammers are you using and in what grain weight? What's the minimum expanding velocity?

Originally Posted by tikka

Hi Tahr I've got a couple of questions.
Which Hammers are you using and in what grain weight? What's the minimum expanding velocity?

Im using 60 grain Hammer Hunters out of a 20" 1:9 barrel. 20 thou off lands. I used max book charge from hornady data for 27 grns CFE223 powder and 60 grain bullet. 3,100 fps. No pressure signs.
Recommended minimum velocity is 1,800 fps. That equates to 475 yards with my load. See this: There is a comment from the the owner of Hammer. https://www.longrangehunting.com/thr...locity.273925/

I have also played with (still playing) 52 grn Hammer Hunters and 26.5 grns BM2. Not grouping with first try so will push the projectile out from 2.3" OAL to the 20 thou off lands and drop the powder charge a fraction (slight flattening of the primer).

Its a damned expensive way to kill deer seeming the cup and core bullets work so well. But I enjoy the mucking around. They will stay in the mix and I will leave my M7 sighted in for them - I have 2 other .223's sighted in for other stuff

the last comment posted in above link is rather good.....must know more details as have to poke 3600fps in at muzzle to get that.....meaning retained velocity at said range.....

Angled in from front on-ish. 150 odd yards Hammer 60 grain.

Originally Posted by Tahr

Angled in from front on-ish. 150 odd yards Hammer 60 grain.

Attachment 227178

Hammer alright. Loving that hole

That rifle a deadly little shooter there.

Originally Posted by Tahr

Angled in from front on-ish. 150 odd yards Hammer 60 grain.

Attachment 227178

From memory you have a couple of different .223 Rifles.
Which is your favourite “ Go To “ or most often used one ?