40& 45 gr bullets in 223

This topic has been beat to death here. But here's some of my pics. Savage 12, 1:9 twist, 40gr Vmax, 8208XBR, with a cheap scope. Shoots better than I can.

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(Bottom 3 groups on plain paper).
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Someone will come along and proclaim "the 40gr bullets drift too much in the wind" so they prefer a heavier 55gr (etc) bullet. So here's data to show that's silly. The difference in wind drift at normal predator calling distances is negligible.

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Most 45gr soft points bullets I've run into are geared toward the 22 Hornet. I use them at reduced velocities in my 222 Rem.

The 40gr NBT is my go-to bullet in my 22-204 pushing 4000 fps for coyote pelt hunting.
 
Does the 40 V-max do well on coyotes? I bought a box to try in my 223. I'd also like to use it on cats, but don't want to blow one up.
 
Thank you DD ! That is quite the pile of yotes . You do have a very fine shooting 223 !I probably should not have allowed myself to ask about the 40 and 45 grain pills as I am considering trying to standardize a223 load for 3 different rifles ! Your success has muddied the water !Thanks again.
 
I've been using 40 gr Nosler Varmageddons and 40 gr ballistic tips out of my 223s to kill many coyotes without any instances of "bullet failure". I've had many 1/2 MOA groups with a muzzle velocity around 3900 fps. I do find it more difficult to get the right load combination when I speed them up to max powder listed in the book. I do have a load for 40gr Varmageddons with 28gr of CFE 223 that has a muzzle velocity around 3400 fps that is well below max but shoots well so I just stick with it. I did have some light weight barnes bullets in my 223 that would shoot 3" MOA with a muzzle velocity around 3900 fps. By only decreasing the powder load a couple grains my groups shrunk to 1/2 MOA.
You will just need to try different combinations in your gun to see what it likes. I'm sure the 40gr Vmax would be great bullet for coyotes as well but have never loaded them.
 
So how fur friendly are they on fox and cats???

I have an "extra" RRA 16" Coyote Carbine that shoots awesome but doesn't get much love anymore and I'd like to build a load for only fox and cats. The 53gr Vmax load i have folds up coyotes but is pretty ugly on fox.

I've even thought about getting a 17 or 20cal barrel for it but if I can simply load for it would be awesome.
 
Originally Posted By: Kino MSo how fur friendly are they on fox and cats???

I have an "extra" RRA 16" Coyote Carbine that shoots awesome but doesn't get much love anymore and I'd like to build a load for only fox and cats. The 53gr Vmax load i have folds up coyotes but is pretty ugly on fox.

I've even thought about getting a 17 or 20cal barrel for it but if I can simply load for it would be awesome.

I don't have enough experience shooting bobcats and foxes with 40 gr BT and Varmageddons. Based on what has happened to jackrabbits, I would guess there is a very high risk of blowing big holes in a fox or small bobcat.
 
Haven't shot this rifle in a long time. Fired a few hasty groups. This rifle deserves a better scope, currently wears an old Nikon Buckmasters 6-18x40.

Savage 12FV 223 Rem
40gr Vmax
26.7gr 8208 xbr
WW brass
F205M
2.200"
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I posted some load data and photos in the last year or two. I use 27 grains of benchmark and 40 grain NBTs. I had a few clover leaf photos at 100 yards and a few .3”, 200 yard groups. Haven’t tried the load on fur yet but I’m sure it will work great. Shot out of a LTR. The gun shoots just as tight with 60 grain Vmax moving around 900 fps slower.
 
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The Sako A7 Coyote in .223 Rem i used to have in my signature printed about a half inch group at 100 yards with a 40 gr Nosler BT and 23 gr of Accurate LT-30.
 


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