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I'm about to load up some 223 rounds for the first time. The bullet options are doing my head in.
Out of a 16" 1:7 AR barrel, shooting nothing bigger than a goat, do you have a preference?
I know I'll have to explore to see what works best, but I figure some of your favourites are a good place to start.
I'll probably just load 10 of this and 10 of that for a while and see what pays off.
Thanks in advance.
55g Sierra Gamekings #1365
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Or their hollow point cousin
Shot shitloads deer with the cheap old Hornady 55gr SP with or without cannelure. Used it for years. They shot well in several .223s I owned.
Never had many body shots but never had a problem killing quickly when I had to put one in the ribs.
Used the above sierras as well with the same results.
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Thank you. Some good info here too....
http://www.nzhuntingandshooting.co.n...56-ar15-28722/
2 personal favourites are Sierra blitz kings ( same as outback factory 223 ammo so you can buy a box to see if you like)
Second favourites are Nosler ballistic tips (nice for engine room smack and drop shots) Tried Barnes tsx - they tended to go thru a bit more and the animal run 20-30 yards before toppling over.
+ 1Quote:
Originally Posted by R93
http://www.nzhuntingandshooting.co.n...tml#post476120 POST 21
Sierra 60gr hp kill very well too.
If you're only shooting goats, it's a bit like asking what size hammer do you need to kill ants.
Short of FMJs or ultra-explosive varmint options, anything in the middle will do, long as it's accurate.
Like R93 said, the bulk 55s are ideal.
I'll second that. A hollow point is a much better killer on goats, as there's not much sectional density to a goat side on and a rapid expanding bullet works best. I've shot hundreds of the buggers with HP's out of an AR and a few mates that join me on goat culls have switched over as well.Quote:
Originally Posted by GravelBen
When I was goat culling I was using Belmont 55gr hornady SP, now repackaged and sold by Hunting and Fishing.
But if your reloading, can't go past 65gr sierra gamekings.
I've used a few different makes of 55gr SP and they all did the job easily.
I'd be buying the Hornady 55gr SPs that are less than $30 per 100.
I can attest that at 40 meters a 142gr 6.5mm or 180gr 30cal kills goat no better than a 55gr SP.
so youre saying a 223 is overkill for goats and he would be better off using a slug gun??!Quote:
Originally Posted by 6x47
I've just started playing with a mod 7 223. I can attest to the accuracy of the Sierra 55g gamekings (1365). While at range yesterday I had 4 rounds left so went back to 400 yds.
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And that powder charge wasn't the most accurate when at 200.
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Was using core lokts but the supply has stopped so switching to these probably the same bullet they work well in the 222Quote:
Originally Posted by R93
?? NO idea how you came to that conclusion.Quote:
Originally Posted by madmaori
A .223 is def "adequate" as a chambering for goats as long as you don't try Texas heart shots at 300yds, etc
As Beetroot says, you don't need a bigger banger for the job. I've shot literally hundreds with various guns and within 150 yds, they don't drop any better to big guns than a decent shot with a .223 which is now my go-to tool for the job.
If you are shooting goat\small deer sized game use a soft point projectile. If you are shooting rabbits or wallabies use a frangable hollow point or plastic tipped projectile. If you are shooting big stags use a barnes or a bigger caliber. Brand is a lot less important than projectile type although Sierra are awesome.
speer 50 or 52grn hps work great on wallabies of similar size and density and are cheap enough to be handy.
Thats Good Info @mickey Duck as those Walla-bouncy-things are resilient little buggers.
I'm going to try a few of these given that info and put aside a few for a Okataina mission. Thanks for the heads up!:thumbsup:
Bought a pile of those a while back and aboouut ready to load em finally. Roughly how much and what sort of powder were you putting behind them?Quote:
Originally Posted by northdude
Those bulk buy Hornady 55gr SP/WC are hard to beat for the price, haven't had any problems with kill effect or accuracy in my Mod 7 223. Velocity in the 20 inch barrel is only 3070 fps but they work well. As said before most 55gr bullets work so long as they aren't those fragile types or solid.
hey there im using 21gr 2206h thats safe in my 222 groups well and goats and deer dont like it cci primer and pretty scientific with seating depth i just start a bullet in an unprimed empty case put it in the gun and close the bolt on it then put the case in my press set the seating die up so it just touches the bullet then wind it an 1/8 of a turn down thats what works in this particular rifleQuote:
Originally Posted by Tommy
21gr seems quite light?Quote:
Originally Posted by northdude
Pretty much anything will work. 68gr Hornadys and 60gr NBT's are the most consistent bang flop bullets I have seen for use in shorter barrel rifles
in my book 20 is min and i think 23.5 max which is compressed i dont do compressed loads i load for accuracy not speed shot goats to 230m no probsQuote:
Originally Posted by Tommy
just had another look its 21.5gr