Thread: 223 on deer

Originally Posted by 7mm Rem Mag

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?

Length of barrel. What bullet do you want the load for?

Originally Posted by Tahr

Length of barrel. What bullet do you want the load for?

I measured it at 540mm but if you take into account the projectile in it Then perhaps 510mm which I think is 20 inch. It has Fl20 on the barrel and its a standard Tikka laminated stainless.

I loaded some 69gr TMK's with 24.5gr of AR2206H which gives me around 1MOA at 100 metres but feel it could do better as it wondered a bit the further out I shot.

I also want to load 73gr eldm's, I got 1.25MOA at 100 metres with 24gr's of AR2206H the lesser loads were poor but was worried I could be getting near max so am a bit worried about going much more unless someone has a load which is ok.

I also had a wee play with the 64gr sierra game changers but so far no joy there so was hoping you could help with how much powder you are using.

Cheers Adam

Originally Posted by 7mm Rem Mag

I measured it at 540mm but if you take into account the projectile in it Then perhaps 510mm which I think is 20 inch. It has Fl20 on the barrel and its a standard Tikka laminated stainless.

I loaded some 69gr TMK's with 24.5gr of AR2206H which gives me around 1MOA at 100 metres but feel it could do better as it wondered a bit the further out I shot.

I also want to load 73gr eldm's, I got 1.25MOA at 100 metres with 24gr's of AR2206H the lesser loads were poor but was worried I could be getting near max so am a bit worried about going much more unless someone has a load which is ok.

I also had a wee play with the 64gr sierra game changers but so far no joy there so was hoping you could help with how much powder you are using.

Cheers Adam

I wonder if your barrel is a 1:12 twist and its not stabalizing them?

69 grn Sierra Match Tipped and 2206H powder. Lethal.

And thats with a 223,no walking away deer there.

Originally Posted by Trout

And thats with a 223,no walking away deer there.

Sorry - I deleted the pic. Second thoughts about it being a bit gruesome.

It's interesting reading this thread, many readers would get the impression you need 70gn+ and even then only the correct projectiles to make .223 a viable round, yet we've got most of our commercial pest control people culling deer very successfully with 55gn belmont (or whatever else is cheap), along with heaps of other shooters and hunters doing the same thing.

Originally Posted by Ben Waimata

It's interesting reading this thread, many readers would get the impression you need 70gn+ and even then only the correct projectiles to make .223 a viable round, yet we've got most of our commercial pest control people culling deer very successfully with 55gn belmont (or whatever else is cheap), along with heaps of other shooters and hunters doing the same thing.

Exactly. Most .224 cal projectiles are good enough so long as their limitations are understood. The 55 grn Hornady that Belmont use are perfectly adequate and bowl plenty of deer. But there is better if you have the right twist and hand load.

Originally Posted by Ben Waimata

It's interesting reading this thread, many readers would get the impression you need 70gn+ and even then only the correct projectiles to make .223 a viable round, yet we've got most of our commercial pest control people culling deer very successfully with 55gn belmont (or whatever else is cheap), along with heaps of other shooters and hunters doing the same thing.

Sure, it's the difference between optimal and functional

I guess its a bit like me using the 22-250 with explosive varmit projectiles going fast to shoot hares at 75 yards...I could do it with the humble .22lr but its just so much more emphatic with big rifle.
I do understand the advantage of heavier projectiles (why I have 170grn rn for the .270) I also know I can kill deer deader than dead with 50grn load in the 223 IF I get in close and put it in right place.

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

I guess its a bit like me using the 22-250 with explosive varmit projectiles going fast to shoot hares at 75 yards...I could do it with the humble .22lr but its just so much more emphatic with big rifle.
I do understand the advantage of heavier projectiles (why I have 170grn rn for the .270) I also know I can kill deer deader than dead with 50grn load in the 223 IF I get in close and put it in right place.

Get in close and great placement is the operative words.
I have seen to many fuckups with bad shot placement guys that tell you they head shoot everything, they go very quiet when I ask how many deer have got away with a blown of jaw to then starve to death.
Horses for courses, I use the right chambering for the sized critters they are targeting.
A big stag shot with a 22-250 had nine shots in it by the time it expired.
Not impressed

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youve done opened a can of worms now Phil.......you will be going to cabinet and eni meany miny moe from here on in...enjoy your venison ,it should be good n tasti eating.

I like carcass pictures if you managed to get it out whole and hang.
Tho I have a pretty good idea what it will look like.

Fallow I got a few weeks ago, have ditched the 223, to fussy as a cartridge, have owned two Tikkas, 1:8and 1:12, both hopeless, a savage 1:12, best I owned for accuracy and a Kimber, yuck. Sold them all and just use a Sako 6.5 x 55. Clover leaf at 100 without trying, so this is now my go to.

Originally Posted by Maca49

Attachment 167676Attachment 167677
Fallow I got a few weeks ago, have ditched the 223, to fussy as a cartridge, have owned two Tikkas, 1:8and 1:12, both hopeless, a savage 1:12, best I owned for accuracy and a Kimber, yuck. Sold them all and just use a Sako 6.5 x 55. Clover leaf at 100 without trying, so this is now my go to.

Funnily enough my go to rifle is a tikka 6.5x55 to!
Punches way above its weight and scarily accurate.
On its 3rd barrel now

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