Thread: 223 on deer

Originally Posted by grandpamac

I had loaded 26 grains of AR2206 behind the 55 grain in my old Brno .223 for years. This gave around 3,200 fps with its long and worn throat. When a new .223 appeared in the cupboard in 2005 a mid load for the 55 grain from Nick Harvey's 6th edition of 23 grains of AR2206 was tried. I was expecting around 3,050 fps based on NH velocities but the chronograph only said just under 2,900 fps and in a 26 inch barrel too. FFS if I had wanted a .22 Hornet I would have bought one so a hunt around turned up an ADI 3rd addition (2000) which listed 25.5 grains for 3,250 fps. This time the chronograph said 3,235 fps, snap. Later when the slightly slower AR2206H replaced AR2206 the Hodgdons data for H4895 (AR2206H) showed 26 grain behind the 55 grain as max. This was a tight fit in the case so 25.5 grains was used chronographing 3,170 in the T3x. 25 grains behind the 69 grain Sierra HPTBT produced 2,960 fps.
I know your feelings @ Mickey Duck on chronographs and you are likely very happy with the load you are using but just in case you want to here is some data that may be of use and some reasons others are using the higher loads.
Regards Grandpamac.

At the moment I have over 600 rounds of .223 loaded. I have a wallaby/bunny culling trip coming up.

I weigh every charge using a scoop, trickler and scales.
All of my loads are on the warm end but no pressure signs. Cases last ok.

52 ELDM & Targex 26.5 BM2 (wallaby & bunny odd deer) (3 different rifles same OAL)
55 Hornady. 26.5 W748 (wallaby & bunny odd deer) (3 different rifles same OAL))
55 Sierra GK 25.5 2206H (wallaby & bunny odd deer) (Tikka)
69 Targex 25.3 2206H (deer & wallaby) (Model 7)
74 Targex 25 2206H (Bryn made these for me using the 69grn jackets 'cos he doesn't have 80 grn jackets) (deer & wallaby) (Tikka)
77 Sierra Tipped 24.5 2206H (deer only) (Tikka)
80 grn Targex 24.4 2206H (deer & wallaby - reserving the 50 I have left for deer) (Savage & Tikka)

All of these loads shoot under .5moa. 3 different .223's. The 55 Hornady and 52 grain loads shoot superbly across the 3 rifles. Others are specific for an individual rifle.
Savage has 1:8 twist Trueflight barrel. Model 7 1:9. Tikka 1:8