Explosive .223 projectiles & loads

R

re1991

New member
Shot a rabbit on a recent hunting trip with my all purpose .223 load of a 55gr Sierra GK, with 25gn Benchmark powder out of my 1:9 20 inch Remington 700 SPS Tac.
The bullet went through and through at approx 70m and while the shot could have been better, I was disappointed with the FMJ type effect and the requirement for me to finish off the poor bugger.

Looking to move to a load that will vaporize the bunnies with chest shots if required to achieve more humane kills, but still be able to punch tiny groups in paper up to 200m-300m.

Was thinking of 40gr or 50gr Vmax, 52gr AMAX, 50gr Sierra Blitz, 50gr Barnes V Grenade etc. What would you pick?

Only concern will be how the light weight pills will go in my 1 in 9 twist.

Cheers
Rob
 
I use the 40 gr vmax and it made a pigeon dissapear. It was ontop of a old building never found a wing or anything. All there was left was feathers floating in the air. They were the most accurate in that rifle. The 40 gr should shoot in a 1 in 9 twist.
 
Thanks for the input mate, I am quite interested in the 40gr Vmax as I think they would prove to be the most devestating on small game. BUT I'm concerned the 40gr won't be quite as good at resisting wind effects as the longer rounds.
I will take your input on board though and check the price of the 40gr
 

This is what I found out on
explosive bullets are. Seirra BKs,BarnesVGs,Noslers Varmagddons,are all about the same. Than you have V-Maxs and Noslers BTVarmint bullets.
 
My tikka in 223 with an 8 twist shooting 40 Gr Vmax works very well. I can only believe that the extra rpm's from the twist adds to the effect.
 
the standard sierra 55g lead tip blitz is a whale of a bullet
for your use. I shot 1000's on large jack rabbits in Nevada with them.

There are times when you slide a bullet inbetween the ribs on both sides and low expansion is the result on certain bullets.

Just wondering if you folks down under are feeling the effect of a shortage of components like we are here in the States?
 
Originally Posted By: ackleymanthe standard sierra 55g lead tip blitz is a whale of a bullet
for your use. I shot 1000's on large jack rabbits in Nevada with them.

There are times when you slide a bullet inbetween the ribs on both sides and low expansion is the result on certain bullets.

Just wondering if you folks down under are feeling the effect of a shortage of components like we are here in the States?

I was wondering the same thing.
 
Yes we are starting to feel the brunt of the supply shortage now, as the manufacturers can't make enough to satisfy their No.1 consumer - the USA, they aren't bothering to send anything over this way, as our demand is much lower to them... The shooting community here is very much attune to the situation over there and as such, many (including myself) are starting to stock up on primers, powders and projectiles for the next few months. Thus this thread. Hoping to get my hands on some .223 projectiles in the next few weeks.
 
With your set up, I would look for the 53gr V-Max. It does the job and slices through the air as well as any .224 diam. bullet.

Happy shooting.
 
Re 1991:

For your purposes, the 50 gr. Sierra Blitz, Speer 45 gr. SP (lead tip), and Hornady SX series will do the job well and at minimum cost compared to the plastic tips in the same weights.

The above are great shooting bullets accuracy-wise, and the cheapest in .224, at least in the USA.

Good Hunting
 
Thanks for the input fellas.

While we are discussing, while I look at the options provided, what velocity do you think I should aim for to get the 55gr Sierra GKs to expand a bit more explosively? I don't want to just ditch these bullets straight up as I have about 700 left and wouldn't be worth trying to sell. Am worried the fast twist and short barrel may be hampering velocity, but I would be willing to take the time and do some load testing as hot as I can go with no pressure signs and see what sort of accuracyi can achieve
 
Take note that some jacketed rounds like the 50 gr Vmax cannot tolerate max velocities as it tends to shed the jackets, mainly with fast twist barrels. If you do load with the thinner jacketed varieties do so with lower than max charge in mind.
 
Agree with the Hornady SX. My father bought a butt load of them back in the 80's and we are still shooting them. He probably paid less than 100 bucks then. Good luck finding them now. Speer 52 Gr. HP is a good one too, as far as cost per giggle.
 
Back
Top