.223 lethality past 400 yards?

During the 1970s, NATO members signed an agreement to select a second, smaller caliber cartridge to replace the 7.62 mm NATO. Of the cartridges tendered, the 5.56 mm was successful, but not the 5.56 mm loading (3.56 g (55 gr), M193 Ball) as used by the U.S. at that time. Instead, the Belgian FN SS109 loading was chosen for standardization. The SS109 used a 4 g heavier (62 gr) bullet with a steel core inserted, fired at a lower muzzle velocity for better long-range performance, specifically to meet a requirement that the bullet be able to penetrate through one side of a steel helmet at 600 m. It did so.

Jerryboy
 
Quote:Your chances of being struck by a slug from an AIMED bullet from a .223 is about the same as getting hit by lightening! Sully2,,,Having lived in Florida (lightening capital of the world) and knowing of quite a few instances of people getting hit by lightening, that's not a really good analogy,,, Down there, lightening has about a 30 mile striking distance...

While I don't have a 1,000 yard range to play on, I don't think you would want to stand down range with a couple of my loads and make a serious wager against my being able to hit you...
 
Jerryboy, long time no see.

You still doing a lot of shooting? Did you ever get into the competition end of the shooting game?

Hope to see ya post more often.
 
My max limit is ~500-550 in ideal conditions meaning no air movement at all. I've used the 65 JLK Low Drag, 65 SGK and 69 Nosler Comp. effectively to 550 yds. on coyotes out of my 223 AI AR. Figuring about a 6" vital zone this means about 1 MOA accuracy and precision in field conditions.

Here's a 425 yd. 3-shot group mom shot a couple years ago in about a 5 mph inconsistent breeze--

momthe425ydline.jpg


...and a 557-yd. dog from last season 65 SGK--

IMG_0825.jpg
 
I shoot alot and I still like to keep my shots under 300 yards. maybe this has to do something with age. I will sometimes take a poke out to or past 500 yards but I know it might take more than one shoot (several ranging shoots LOL)
 
I think the fact that the .223 has such a wide array of twists, you can use it for blowing up P dogs with light bullets, or load up 80+ gr bullets in a 1-7 twist and reach out. People have done well out to 1000 yards, although that doesn't mean than the .223 is a 1000 yard cartridge.
 
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