Heavy Bullets/Small Calibers??

pyscodog

Active member
I guess I'm to old school. I just read where a member is shooting 77gr. bullets out of a 223. What is the main reason that people shoot heavy bullets out of a small caliber like the 223? I have always felt like if I was going to shoot 75gr. and up, I would use my 243. Please enlighten me.
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I do because of the higher BC of most bullets that weight.

Better performance at longer ranges. Less wind drift and elevation loss. Better all around bullet. Puts um down range better.

You have to use/have a fast twist barrel to shoot them though...
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I suppose it is plain and simple versatility. Trying to make the caliber we have do more. I personally am on the other side where I have a 243 and shoot 55 gr bullets sometimes when the application is right. While I think that a 243 does better with 55 grainers than a .223 or 22-250 would with 77 grainers, I'm sure some that do it on a regular basis will disagree. Variety is what keeps everything from being boring
 
Shootin' those 77grainers from a .223 will allow you to shoot that caliber beyond 600yds for targets...
It is all about the b.c.! A heavy, high b.c. bullet, although started slower, will ballistically 'outrun' a lighter faster moving bullet at distance...
Mess around with a ballistic calculator like JBM(free) or Exbal, and you'll see for yourself...
 
The BC issue is obvious. What I would wonder about is the ability of the heavy .224 cal slugs to expand properly on relatively small framed animals at longer ranges. Although my background is with larger calibers, I don't think the .223 has the horsepower to do it reliably.

Coyotes may be pests in some areas but I'd prefer the gun to slap them down hard rather than see them run off wounded. Don
 
Quote:the ability of the heavy .224 cal slugs to expand properly on relatively small framed animals at longer ranges.

Doubtful. The .223 will poke holes in them at 400+ yards, if you want to kill them get something bigger.

I think it's a lot more likely the .223 VLD bullet will tumble on contact and either break up or flatten at long range, instead of expanding. Have you ever seen anybody recover a nice mushroomed .223 bullet?

I haven't.
 
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A .223 won't wreak havoc on a yote at 25 yards most of the time. Maybe we have different concepts of wreaking havoc.
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That 7mm/08 you like so well would be twenty times better out at that range than a .223. Even beyond 500.

Personally, I won't even shoot at them after about 350 yards, #1 I'll probably miss and #2 I'm too lazy to walk that far to get one.
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I spent $300 on an e-caller so I don't have to walk.
 
Originally Posted By: Evil_LurkerI spent $300 on an e-caller so I don't have to walk.

And thats the truth. Shooting a coyote more than 150 yards away? Why?

Shooting a match for points at 500 or 800 or 1k is a whole different ball game. I sure wouldn't be using the same rifle and or load to do both.
 
Originally Posted By: mattmOriginally Posted By: Evil_LurkerI spent $300 on an e-caller so I don't have to walk.

And thats the truth. Shooting a coyote more than 150 yards away? Why?

Shooting a match for points at 500 or 800 or 1k is a whole different ball game. I sure wouldn't be using the same rifle and or load to do both.

I do, but thats just cause I can't afford another rifle
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They are all out dated, nothing on the shelf in the sporting good stores will kill coyotes anymore, even the god-given-end-all-high and mighty 204 is dead in the water. Speaking of water are these coyotes drinking Vitamin Water now, somethings gotta be up.........they sure are a lot tougher to kill than they used to be.


Dont mistake this post for me being a 204 fan either.

I also agree, why that far. It adds to the excitement when they are right up in your lap. Then you use a shotgun, with no debate or wonder on bullet performance.
 
whats a 223 capable of using higher BC bullets? here's is a couple articles,

(mods, if this is considered advertising, or plugging a competitive sight please delete)
http://www.longrangehunting.com/articles/long-range-coyotes-scope-1.php

http://www.longrangehunting.com/articles/shooting-223-mile-1.php

and check this one out, third pic from the bottom of page
http://www.sskindustries.com/contender.htm

BC will outrun velocity every time, makes me feel kinda inadequate, my best with a 223 is 2 chucks at 550 yards.
RR
 
Quote:Richard H. Mathewson on 12 July 1999 got this prairie dog at 1115 yards with an SSK stainless 223, shooting the Hornady 75gr. A-MAX.

Well, there's a field test. He hit it in the mouth, it appears completely dead.
 


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