Thread: 223 on deer

Originally Posted by Tentman

Well I'm finally a convert, my S&L with 77 TMKs is now up to five fallow and two reds without a lost animal. Ranges out to 240M. Bullet placement hasn't been ideal in 3 or so animals and one might have gotten away without a followup. I think that's a record for me!

It's not for every hunt, there's no way I'd take 4-500M shots across big gullies and less in any wind so if I was expecting that the 6.5-284 or 308 would get a trip.

An absolute gem of a rifle.

Originally Posted by zeropak

They are quite mild loads 2760fps. Using up some 2208, 25gn. Tikka T3x 20" barrel.

Same Rifle, a few questions.

Are you be single loading or have a longer than standard mag to achieve that?
Im at 24.4g with a heavily compressed load to achieve that speed with my 2.307 inch standard mag lenght, hench the above ?
ADI suggests 23.6 as max so wondering how mild is your this load.
ADI info is confusing cause they rate a max of 26g with the 69 match king. Realise they are different weights & type of projectile, but wondering about such a difference.
I'm not saying you are wrong, just trying figure it all out.
For me at standard mag lenght which is 0.065 off lands getting 2694 & brillant SD & ES of 6.4 & 15 and they shoot.
Thinking of playing around with the magazine, reason I ask.

Originally Posted by flock

Same Rifle, a few questions.

Are you be single loading or have a longer than standard mag to achieve that?
Im at 24.4g with a heavily compressed load to achieve that speed with my 2.307 inch standard mag lenght, hench the above ?
ADI suggests 23.6 as max so wondering how mild is your this load.
ADI info is confusing cause they rate a max of 26g with the 69 match king. Realise they are different weights & type of projectile, but wondering about such a difference.
I'm not saying you are wrong, just trying figure it all out.
For me at standard mag lenght which is 0.065 off lands getting 2694 & brillant SD & ES of 6.4 & 15 and they shoot.
Thinking of playing around with the magazine, reason I ask.

Leave well alone. So long as the bullet is doing over about 1800 ft per second when it strikes the animal it's going to die. The small margins make no difference.

Originally Posted by flock

Same Rifle, a few questions.

Are you be single loading or have a longer than standard mag to achieve that?
Im at 24.4g with a heavily compressed load to achieve that speed with my 2.307 inch standard mag lenght, hench the above ?
ADI suggests 23.6 as max so wondering how mild is your this load.
ADI info is confusing cause they rate a max of 26g with the 69 match king. Realise they are different weights & type of projectile, but wondering about such a difference.
I'm not saying you are wrong, just trying figure it all out.
For me at standard mag lenght which is 0.065 off lands getting 2694 & brillant SD & ES of 6.4 & 15 and they shoot.
Thinking of playing around with the magazine, reason I ask.

Loading from a Mag. I have the Watermann mag, the 61mm OALL length version, but with a standard Tikka chambering (at least in my 2 .223's) you are limited by the factory throat length. I load to 59mm OALL. Yes this is a compressed load. How compressed will also depend on your brass thickness, I use Nosler brass.
I have switched to 2206H and get way better velocities from that powder. The ADI load data does seem to reflect the velocity gain most people seem to get going from 2208 to 2206H. 24.5gn of 2206H gives me 2890fps with the 73 ELDM in the same rifle. So around an extra 140fps.

Thanks for that, all makes sense. Tikkas have a short thoat I'm coming from a Savage that most have had 556 x 45 thoat. My OAL is 58.22 for Tikka mag. Haven't been about score any 2206H believe we are all hanging out for it.

2219 at 2780




And 2208 at 2695

Originally Posted by flock

2219 at 2780

Attachment 280751


And 2208 at 2695

Attachment 280752

Is that adi 2219 with 73 eldm's if so it would be a great replacement for 2206H.

Yep at standard mag lenght, using Rem7.5 primers, & Gorden reloading to set a charge weight. Not as quick as 2206H but 100% burn rate & just over 90 % case fill.

2219 is a lot finer powder too,smaller chunks so it easier to work with. Surprising how many different cartridges it is prescribed for too.

I have been working nightshift all week and had to work an evening shift tonight so I didn't really feel like going out tonight but I had already arranged it with the farmer and I might not get another chance to go for a while so went out.

I managed to knock over 2 using the 64gr game changers.









You have got to love the wee 223!

? how do you find the 64 game changer, have heard they are a hard projectile. They do Shoot well, only got a handful left never shot anything with them.

Originally Posted by flock

? how do you find the 64 game changer, have heard they are a hard projectile. They do Shoot well, only got a handful left never shot anything with them.

I have shot 3 deer with them now, the longest shot was 360 meters, I guess I haven't shot enough to give an accurate accont yet.
Time will tell

Originally Posted by flock

Same Rifle, a few questions.

Are you be single loading or have a longer than standard mag to achieve that?
Im at 24.4g with a heavily compressed load to achieve that speed with my 2.307 inch standard mag lenght, hench the above ?
ADI suggests 23.6 as max so wondering how mild is your this load.
ADI info is confusing cause they rate a max of 26g with the 69 match king. Realise they are different weights & type of projectile, but wondering about such a difference.
I'm not saying you are wrong, just trying figure it all out.
For me at standard mag lenght which is 0.065 off lands getting 2694 & brillant SD & ES of 6.4 & 15 and they shoot.
Thinking of playing around with the magazine, reason I ask.

I've got a lengthened T3 mag, PM me if interested.

Originally Posted by 7mm Rem Mag

I have shot 3 deer with them now, the longest shot was 360 meters, I guess I haven't shot enough to give an accurate accont yet.
Time will tell

360 meters is a good test 'cos it would be right on its expansion threshold at about 1600 fps. Do you recall the deers reaction to the shot and the tissue damage?

They die in some shit places.
240 yds and 80 Targex. High shoulder shot and out the brisket. Bolted and fell 100 yards or so steep down hill. Dog tracked it.
I carried the back straps 'cos Im not meant to carry anything heavy yet, and Brian the rest. Steep up hill for 45 minutes. Now there's a good mate.



Brian