Thread: .223: The Ins & Outs of it

Quite happy with 1:12 for my particular uses, as for me its backup rifle for longer range varminting - for bunnies, wallabies and occasional fallow. For that a 55-62gr softnose is perfect.

Last sunday it shot four test groups between 0.7 and 0.9" with the Fiocchi SP 55gr softs at 100m. That's sharp for factory ammo.

For bigger game there's a Winchester model 670 .243 in the closet..

Yes ..very impressed that a US manufacturer would answer a query on a secondhand product from across the world in just a few hours. I like that!!

Ive contributed a lot about the benefits of "smart" bullets in the .223, but the reality is that the good old ordinary Hornady and Sierra 55 grn are very effective on up to deer. The smart ones give an extra margin of range and effectiveness but its a nice to have, not a necessity, to get a lot of fun from a .223.

A 55 grn "ordinary" into the lungs of a deer out to 200-250 yards will still be very effective.

Yes I’ve always run a 55 grain of some form.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

and within 200yards a 50grn ttsx is VERY effective.

Love the 55 grain bt canalure Hornady sp at 38cents a pill. Don't over push them at 3100 from a Savage model 10 lightweight , 1 in 9 twist. 200 Metres is child's play. 223 is just so nice to carry and use.

Here s my Recipe if any is interested

Shot this hind with Rem M7 .223 and 69 grn Targex last evening. 251 yds slightly facing me. Aimed for point of shoulder. She went straight down and rolled into a damn swamp.



These things don't muck around. Shoulder peeled back showing entry through rib cage.

Hey Tahr i like the look on Tillys face in that last post , to me she looks like shes just been asked to stand there for another bloody photo

Originally Posted by 30late

Hey Tahr i like the look on Tillys face in that last post , to me she looks like shes just been asked to stand there for another bloody photo

Exactly. She was checking it out and I said her name to get her to look up.

I've tried 69gr targex projectiles, shoot really well and they seem to do the job on animals but my supply is somewhat limited, has anyone tried the sierra 69gr SMK as a substitute?

not suprised she went straight down looking at that carnage

@Tahr I’m thinking I need a .223. Definitely a need not a want

Originally Posted by Nathan F

@Tahr I’m thinking I need a .223. Definitely a need not a want

They are next level up.

The 223 is seriously useful and even more so when suppressed

The 60g nbt at 3100 great on rabbits a long way out there and fun on targets to 850 yrds

The solid copper boat tail ensures penetration on deer and you often find the projectile under the far side skin or exited.

The 55/65g gameking are hammers on deer as well. Often the most fun afternoons are to be had with a Mercator, a few rounds in your pocket and a 223 for company.

Both of these are 1 in 8 twist

Is that a carbonlite?