Thread: 223 on deer

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

I've seen first lot of red fawns this week.....

Probably drop the projectile weight down below 55grn if they're what you're after Micky, less meat damage

Originally Posted by Ryan_Songhurst

Have been going down this rabbit hole a little bit after reading through this thread and have just yesterday picked up a 223 rifle, the first 223 I've had since the good old days when we were allowed the fun ones. I kind of planned on shooting the 73gr ELD match ammunition as I have not much motivation to reload anymore these days. One of the things I have noticed looking at a heap of different YouTube videos is that with ballistic gel testing the 73gr is pretty consistent at performing poorly (ie fragmenting and poor penetration) when pushed hard or up close when its still getting along reasonably quick, I guess its just soft and opens up rapidly at higher speeds. Makes me wonder if maybe there is a better option as an "allrounder" for the 223 if its just going to blow up at close range? Can anyone with real world experience using this projectile speak on its performance?

77tmk not sure if there is an factory loading.

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Originally Posted by 25/08 IMP

77tmk not sure if there is an factory loading.

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77 TMK ammo is available in the US, including from some niche type manufacturers. Wounder if @Ammo Direct NZ would bring in a shipment . . .

Originally Posted by HUNTY

Probably drop the projectile weight down below 55grn if they're what you're after Micky, less meat damage

Catch 22...classic case of either go harder projectile to cause less damage of soft one and be really picky about shot placement.... But yes given option the fawnwould go down first..Kentucky fried fawn tastes great.

Originally Posted by Tentman

77 TMK ammo is available in the US, including from some niche type manufacturers. Wounder if @Ammo Direct NZ would bring in a shipment . . .

Palmetto State Armory (AAC)
Black Hills Ammunition

I use that ammo for work and have done so for over 2 years and I rate it @ryansonghurst

Originally Posted by Fat ninja

I use that ammo for work and have done so for over 2 years and I rate it @ryansonghurst

The Belmont stuff? Must be doing something right as I think Dad is onto his 3rd or 4th AR barrel using it.

Nothing wrong with Belmont ammo, certainly not match ammo but good enough for hunting. Buy it by the 1000 rnd tin. Only trouble is getting it at present. They’re not answering emails or phone lately when trying to place an order.

Hell no I’m not a fan of the Belmont stuff, I use the 73gr eldm

Originally Posted by Tahr

Palmetto State Armory (AAC)
Black Hills Ammunition

AAC has just quit production of ammo due to rising component cost. Planning to restart when they have in-house powder production.

Originally Posted by woods223

Nothing wrong with Belmont ammo, certainly not match ammo but good enough for hunting. Buy it by the 1000 rnd tin. Only trouble is getting it at present. They’re not answering emails or phone lately when trying to place an order.

Except the brass almost has to be treated like steel and thrown away. Ive seen more case head separations even in factory loads (the stuff the loaded for hunting and fishing was terrible) than i have all other case head seperations by like 5x. We reloaded some for me brothers bolt gun and had 3 of 7 with visible cracking and the 7th was a separation which prompted the closer inspection on the first cases.

Originally Posted by Stocky

Except the brass almost has to be treated like steel and thrown away. Ive seen more case head separations even in factory loads (the stuff the loaded for hunting and fishing was terrible) than i have all other case head seperations by like 5x. We reloaded some for me brothers bolt gun and had 3 of 7 with visible cracking and the 7th was a separation which prompted the closer inspection on the first cases.

Im pretty sure its all brass that's been fired before they load it? Not sure where they get it from. Haven't heard dad complaining about it though and he puts thousands of rounds a month through an AR, never reloads anything though.

Originally Posted by Stocky

Except the brass almost has to be treated like steel and thrown away. Ive seen more case head separations even in factory loads (the stuff the loaded for hunting and fishing was terrible) than i have all other case head seperations by like 5x. We reloaded some for me brothers bolt gun and had 3 of 7 with visible cracking and the 7th was a separation which prompted the closer inspection on the first cases.

Strange that. I’ve reloaded shit loads of Belmont brass for my 223 without issue. Just did some the other night for a range shoot,40 rounds for a 3x12 @300 yard comp, cases are on their sixth reload cycle with 73 gr ELDM’s. Not sure but headstamp is either ODL 17 or ADI 17. Got some FC brass that I’m pretty sure came via Belmont about 10 years ago, some of which has been reloaded at least 6 times.
I used about 2000 rounds of the H&F packaged ammo on goats at one stage, only had a handful of dud rounds from memory, no worse than any other brand. Heard the rumours about that ammo, didn’t experience it myself. Still got a box of fifty rounds, might have to give them a whirl on goats tomorrow aye.

Originally Posted by woods223

Strange that. I’ve reloaded shit loads of Belmont brass for my 223 without issue. Just did some the other night for a range shoot,40 rounds for a 3x12 @300 yard comp, cases are on their sixth reload cycle with 73 gr ELDM’s. Not sure but headstamp is either ODL 17 or ADI 17. Got some FC brass that I’m pretty sure came via Belmont about 10 years ago, some of which has been reloaded at least 6 times.
I used about 2000 rounds of the H&F packaged ammo on goats at one stage, only had a handful of dud rounds from memory, no worse than any other brand. Heard the rumours about that ammo, didn’t experience it myself. Still got a box of fifty rounds, might have to give them a whirl on goats tomorrow aye.

Same. "Headcase" has given Brian and I bucket loads. No problems. They seem a bit thicker/heavier and Ive needed to drop the load a smidge, otherwise fine.

Got my new 223 back today, had to get it rethreaded as Suppresor is 1/2x28 and factory thread was 15x1. So I can finally shoot it now. Will get it out for a spin this evening only have some of the aforementioned belmont 55gr stuff for now as local stores don't stock anything other than hornady and S&B 55gr sp stuff.