Thread: 223 on deer

1:9 up tp 69grn
1:8 70-80 grn.

As per gimp above, 1:8 (and heavier bullets) is optimal.

Good info.

Now we have twist wisdom sussed...what about ideal barrel length I wonder? How short is too short?!

Originally Posted by Strummer

Good info.

Now we have twist wisdom sussed...what about ideal barrel length I wonder? How short is too short?!

If going to shoot heavy for cal leave it long or only minimal shortening....not starting with a lot of horspower to begin with.
That said I am going to take a couple of inches off mine so it will fit under the seat in the boat.

So I chimed in on this thread at the start and haven't read much in between.

T3 cut down to about an inch over legal length and a dpt on it. Have taken it out the last few trips, head and neck shots no problem out to 150m.

Discovered why I stopped using it after taking a chest shot at 120m (in the dusk on private land) it had only gone 30m but no exit wound made it hard to find.

So my take on it, 223 is fine for deer.... just be patient and wait for the right shot or let the animal walk (hard but as the years go by I find it easier)

1:8, heavy projectile over 75grn, 20”. Breathes new life into the .223.

18 inch is working for me

Thanks guys. Just curious what sort of velocities you're getting from these heavier pills?

2812fps

Optimal length isn't as clear as optimal twist. Longer will give you more speed but I like shorter barrels.

Originally Posted by gimp

2812fps

Optimal length isn't as clear as optimal twist. Longer will give you more speed but I like shorter barrels.

What powder under the 80s?

Originally Posted by gimp

2812fps

Optimal length isn't as clear as optimal twist. Longer will give you more speed but I like shorter barrels.

Impressive out of a short barrel. What sort of velocity loss would you expect for another 2 inches shorter at 16”?

Originally Posted by Backsteaks

Impressive out of a short barrel. What sort of velocity loss would you expect for another 2 inches shorter at 16”?

I'm getting 2780 out of 16" with a 75 Amax.

2208

2,930fps. 77 grn. 2206H. 21.5"

3K, 69grn. 2206H. 20"

3,130fps, 64 grn, 2206H. 20"

Originally Posted by Tahr

2,930fps. 77 grn. 2206H. 21.5"

3K, 69grn. 2206H. 20"

3,130fps, 64 grn, 2206H. 20"

@Tahr
so I have picked up a Savage / Stevens with a 1-9 twist, apparently loves 69gr projectiles , do you have a bullet choice that would be suitable on Deer..mainly fallow and Reds. ??

Originally Posted by Tahr

2,930fps. 77 grn. 2206H. 21.5"

3K, 69grn. 2206H. 20"

3,130fps, 64 grn, 2206H. 20"

Hi @Tahr is that 20" grains of powder or the length of your barrel? if its barrel length then how many grains of 2206H are you using?