2 x 223 Deer loads

Someone might be interested in my mucking around upping my 223 for deer & pigs.

I've settled on using 55grn Barnes TTSX 55 grn with 2208 (3220fps) and 69grn Targex with BLC-2 (2900 fps)

I've used the Barnes on pigs so far and they have been excellent. Still to try the Targex, but if they are like the 243 Targex I use, they will be great too.

20" barrel & 1:9 twist. Its a 6lb Savage light weight.

The Barnes have been the hardest to get to shoot, and I've tried BM2, 748 and BLC-2. 2208 and BM2 have been the best. Still not bug hole groups with the Barnes, but at about .75" or under its good enough for hunting.

Top group Barnes, bottom group the Targex. These are typical groups at 100 yds for the 2 loads.

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e4...l/IMG_0406.jpg

I use the targex as well. Just use them as my do everything load. They are freakishly accurate and so far seem to do .the business

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Originally Posted by horihunter

I use the targex as well. Just use them as my do everything load. They are freakishly accurate and so far seem to do .the business

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Hori, what powder, and what speed?
Also (off topic) what happened about the proposed language lessons?

I am almost sorted with the 69gr Targex.. have been using 2208 but mate gets better speed with 2206H in a 20" tube with the 69gr SMK so will try that before settling on a load, he is getting just shy of 3K (2978 or 87 from memory)

He aslo tried BM2 and 2208 but settled on 2206H for the extra 100fps he got, also a 20" 1:9 twist (Rem SPS tactical short barrel version)

Tahr
Both loads should do ok on Deer & Pigs however shot placement at reasonable distances is the key when using .223 for these animals.

I use Nosler 55gr balistic tips with 2206h doing about 3100fps.

Took a deer at about 160m on Saturday.... It absolutely smashed her third vertabrae and dropped her where she stood.

I waited a good 5 minutes before I felt the shot was on.

Cheers
Pete

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Originally Posted by P38

Tahr
Both loads should do ok on Deer & Pigs however shot placement at reasonable distances is the key when using .223 for these animals.

I use Nosler 55gr balistic tips with 2206h doing about 3100fps.

Took a deer at about 160m on Saturday.... It absolutely smashed her third vertabrae and dropped her where she stood.

I waited a good 5 minutes before I felt the shot was on.

Cheers
Pete

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Good-o Pete.
The 55 ttsx seem to work for me ok...
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e4...l/P1030346.jpg

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Originally Posted by Tahr

Good-o Pete.
The 55 ttsx seem to work for me ok...
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e4...l/P1030346.jpg

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Looks good to me. :)

Might even give them a go myself.

Cheers
Pete

Complete pass through at 200 yards on both of them. Devastating.

Cheers

24.3gr .bm2 gives 2960 26gr 2206h gave 3050. 22" tikka. There was.nt a heap of interest in the lessons but if you want to just go for a hunt with a bit Maori lesson in the truck and during the walk just give me a yell (one of my dogs is trained in Maori so some words will be learnt quickly....)

what would be the best factory amo to use if you had 1in 9 twist in your 223 rifle? i dont reload.

Anyone tried a shoulder shot with the 69gr targex?

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Originally Posted by sakokid

what would be the best factory amo to use if you had 1in 9 twist in your 223 rifle? i dont reload.

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For deer, the 63 grn Winchester.

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Originally Posted by Tahr

Someone might be interested in my mucking around upping my 223 for deer & pigs.

I've settled on using 55grn Barnes TTSX 55 grn with 2208 (3220fps) and 69grn Targex with BLC-2 (2900 fps)

I've used the Barnes on pigs so far and they have been excellent. Still to try the Targex, but if they are like the 243 Targex I use, they will be great too.

20" barrel & 1:9 twist. Its a 6lb Savage light weight.

The Barnes have been the hardest to get to shoot, and I've tried BM2, 748 and BLC-2. 2208 and BM2 have been the best. Still not bug hole groups with the Barnes, but at about .75" or under its good enough for hunting.

Top group Barnes, bottom group the Targex. These are typical groups at 100 yds for the 2 loads.

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e4...l/IMG_0406.jpg

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It appears 24gr 748 in 222 with 53gr Barnes TSX returns groups like your Targex groups. About 2.130 OAL with projectile seated to top cannelure ring.Mate shot fallow spiker thru ear @160m with this reload.:thumbsup:

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...e/IMG_9890.jpg
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/d...e/IMG_9889.jpg

Finaly got the kids Marlin 223 out to test 2206H..... much faster than 2208:D

3025- 3145 with loads from 25.5gr-27 I will settle with 3045 and 26gr as its plenty fast enough and accurate enough with the first 2 going through the same hole and next two the lower shots, only a low power scope so better than expected from a factory rifle not bedded and not touched the trigger yet.... Probably not worth touching until I have plenty of time spare....one day it may happen :P

Interesting to compare 26 to 27 i.e. both good tight groups.

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Originally Posted by TeRei

Interesting to compare 26 to 27 i.e. both good tight groups.

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Usually get that, Lower load the work then lighter barrel flick them around then a top tight group that is usually right on pressure...or just over it and in this case its for the kids to shoot so I will stick with the lower load.

I may get better results if I free float the barrel and bed the action.... but the 26 gr load will keep it going until I do ;)

Thats very interesting leathal. Looks like I could get 50/75 fps more from my 20" barrel but not sure its worth the frigging around?

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Originally Posted by Tahr

Thats very interesting leathal. Looks like I could get 50/75 fps more from my 20" barrel but not sure its worth the frigging around?

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The animals wont notice the extra speed.....

I wouldn't bother either..

my 2208 load was only 2650 but I had not got to pressure so I was going to load more anyway...but I went to 2206H after talking to Kevin who had a 20" 1:9 and got better with 06H (3K in his)

Just on targex 95 gr through my fact 243 winchester are real accurate! but in saying that i plugged a billy on the weeknd using 80gr rem corelock 200m neck shot and sent heaps of body tissue out the xit hole.The guy i was with sent a hornady training round 55 gr from 240m through the neck of another billy droped it on the spot he was using a marlin x7 223 from memory, accurate shots with small cal are leathel not taking anything away from the big cals.

I was shocked that with 2206h the adi suggested speeds and real life speeds actually correlate

Continuing on about the 55 grn TTSX. Shot this last night. Very impressive. In centre of shoulder, out last rib opposite side. 140 yds.
Have shot a red, 3 pigs and this Fallow with them and everyone has been a pass through. Out to 250 yards.

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e4...ps9a7acabd.jpg

Have been developing load for my .223, with 55gr sierra match king. Using 2206h 26.5 gr shoots a 3 shot group inside 15mm.

Whats your barrel length and velocity with those ttsx BC?

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Originally Posted by scoped

Have been developing load for my .223, with 55gr sierra match king. Using 2206h 26.5 gr shoots a 3 shot group inside 15mm.

Whats your barrel length and velocity with those ttsx BC?

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Details in first post of this thread.

Cheers

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Originally Posted by Tahr

Continuing on about the 55 grn TTSX. Shot this last night. Very impressive. In centre of shoulder, out last rib opposite side. 140 yds.
Have shot a red, 3 pigs and this Fallow with them and everyone has been a pass through. Out to 250 yards.

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e4...ps9a7acabd.jpg

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Mate's X Bolt 223 running 55gr TSX using 25gr BM2. Shot 2 huge red/wap X's on Saturday nite.First animal @170m destroyed both front shoulders. 2nd animal just under spine made a colossal mess between spine and top of shoulder @140m.

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Originally Posted by TeRei

Mate's X Bolt 223 running 55gr TSX using 25gr BM2. Shot 2 huge red/wap X's on Saturday nite.First animal @170m destroyed both front shoulders. 2nd animal just under spine made a colossal mess between spine and top of shoulder @140m.

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Interesting. Sure it was tsx not varmint ?
Iv shot a few now with ttsx in 30 cal and witnessed 3 in 6.5 and the big plus is lack of bruising . Just cut a 2 inch hole from one side to the other.

6.5 were gmx not ttsx sorry but essentially the same

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Originally Posted by veitnamcam

Interesting. Sure it was tsx not varmint ?
Iv shot a few now with ttsx in 30 cal and witnessed 3 in 6.5 and the big plus is lack of bruising . Just cut a 2 inch hole from one side to the other.

6.5 were gmx not ttsx sorry but essentially the same

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A bit gory, but you can see the blood shock damage caused by the 55grn TTSX under the entry side shoulder (from the deer above).

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e4...ps14026fb7.jpg

Quite common blood under shoulder. Was the shoulder itself alright or mince an bone ?

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Originally Posted by veitnamcam

Quite common blood under shoulder. Was the shoulder itself alright or mince an bone ?

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Good sized hole and didn't keep it because of the damage. Blood shot right through it.

My experience is that the smaller calibers ruin the most meat, although I thought the Barnes might be a bit better. The remedy is neck or lung shots.

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Originally Posted by Tahr

The remedy is neck or lung shots.

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Which is IMO the safest way to employ a small calibre like the .223 on medium game. Body shots can drop them like the hammer of Thor or let them get away, dead on their feet, with bugger all in the way of a blood trail too follow, possibly making things difficult if ya havent got a dog. Fallow and whitetail would have too be the softest deer you could shoot in NZ. Making the .223 with the right load an ideal cal to use on them inside 300m I reckon.

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Originally Posted by veitnamcam

Interesting. Sure it was tsx not varmint ?
Iv shot a few now with ttsx in 30 cal and witnessed 3 in 6.5 and the big plus is lack of bruising . Just cut a 2 inch hole from one side to the other.

6.5 were gmx not ttsx sorry but essentially the same

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Definitely TSX because loading up 50 more tonight for a weekend session on fallow. This will be his roar load as well.

Last night, late. 279 yards steep uphill. 69 grn Targex (.223)
The "whop" told me it was a connect, she didn't travel more than 10 yards.

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e4...ps1a02d7dd.jpg

Good shooting Tahr the targex are great projectiles on animals 69 gr thru a 223 is decent size projectile to.Do you have a 243? if so have you run some 80gr targex thru that?.

Bet those lungs were mince

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Originally Posted by Neckshot

Good shooting Tahr the targex are great projectiles on animals 69 gr thru a 223 is decent size projectile to.Do you have a 243? if so have you run some 80gr targex thru that?.

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Yeah. I use 95 grn Targex @ 3080 fps in my 243 (20" barrel). Good medicine, but not using it at the moment. Waiting for a suppressor for over my dog.
I shot a vey good bull Tahr with it, and other bits and pieces. It and the Targex have never let me down.

I still prefer the 55grn Barnes TTSX in the 223 though for all but the longer shots.

Hori, I didn't look, but I could fit 3 fingers into the entry hole through the ribs.

My son shot a hind last night at 160m with 17 HMR with one shot. Bang dead.Anyone says they are no good best to stay at least 200m away. Dropped like a stone.

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Originally Posted by TeRei

My son shot a hind last night at 160m with 17 HMR with one shot. Bang dead.Anyone says they are no good best to stay at least 200m away. Dropped like a stone.

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Here we go :rolleyes:

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Im not sayin it cant be done. Im saying it SHOULDNT.

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as seen as you guys are talking .223 and 2206h...
my load is nearly sorted, its 24gr of 2206h book max, and is max pressure. doing 2820-2840 80gr amax. i was just going to use it for practice and rabbits and get something tougher for fallow and goats at bush rangers.
but i would like to ask, has anyone used the 80gr amax on fallow or goats? close or far range. i thought they maybe too soft, but i dont know.

No but ive used the 75 grain vmax 25 cal driven faast and it smoked goats and fallow . I wouldnt hesitate with the 80 grain in the 223 for goats any way.

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Originally Posted by bully

as seen as you guys are talking .223 and 2206h...
my load is nearly sorted, its 24gr of 2206h book max, and is max pressure. doing 2820-2840 80gr amax. i was just going to use it for practice and rabbits and get something tougher for fallow and goats at bush rangers.
but i would like to ask, has anyone used the 80gr amax on fallow or goats? close or far range. i thought they maybe too soft, but i dont know.

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I've only used 80gn targex thru my 243 doing 3070 fps ang I've smoked deer and goats last week I drilled a billy at 265 yards it fell over.