.223 for bear, mountain goat, deer, elk, and moose.

[Thegman]

I have several lots of RP and lapua that have been through multiple 223ai barrels over the years that are at 25+ firings. I do anneal them every now and then.

Damn...I need to get my shit together.

Most of mine (LC) usually seem to get split necks within, I'm guessing, 10 or so loadings, though I don't keep close track. This may be due to the brass, or more likely, the loads I run through them.

 

[Castle Rock]

Split necks have nothing to do with the loads you are using, it is entirely due to your reloading practices, chamber tolerances, and the quality of the brass

Damn...I need to get my shit together.

Most of mine (LC) usually seem to get split necks within, I'm guessing, 10 or so loadings, though I don't keep close track. This may be due to the brass, or more likely, the loads I run through them.

 

[BradArnett]

Damn...I need to get my shit together.

Most of mine (LC) usually seem to get split necks within, I'm guessing, 10 or so loadings, though I don't keep close track. This may be due to the brass, or more likely, the loads I run through them.

Ya I'm not pushing the limits of pressure. I've ran pretty much the same load of cci450s, r15, 75amax in 6 different 223ai barrels now. Speeds are from 2950-3100 depending on barrel length. I've had 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, and 26" 223ai's.

 

[Brazo264]

I have way over 30 on my lapua 223 and still fine, 10-12 on hornady CM and necks are starting to split

I have several lots of RP and lapua that have been through multiple 223ai barrels over the years that are at 25+ firings. I do anneal them every now and then.

I’d be interested to hear both of your reloading process for 223, I’m just starting out and that’s impressive!

 

[Castle Rock]

Collet neck size, prime, throw charge straight from Redding thrower, seat bullet

 

[ResearchinStuff]

I've been following this thread for some time and I really wanted to go Model seven or model 700 sa but just can't turn anything up. Finally handled a tikka and I really like them although I didn't want to. Anyhow, I'm collecting components and will have a rifle soon. Have Norma brass and 400 more 77tmks on the way.
Still have dies, shell holders, bullet comparators to get but I'm on my way.

Careful with your pressure, cci 400s are pretty soft in the cup

 

[Robobiss]

Party is ready to get started this year after archery is over.

Put together a .223 Wylde gas gun and a nice little 8 twist T3X Lite in .223 with a 16” barrel (lipseys exclusive maybe? Can’t find it on the tikka site) just came in the mail. Funny looking rifle with the 16” barrel

 

[BradArnett]

I’d be interested to hear both of your reloading process for 223, I’m just starting out and that’s impressive!

Mine is neck sizing, prime, powder measured on a chargemaster, seat bullet.

 

[Tahr]

I biff my 223 brass when the primer pockets get loose-like the primer might drop out. Max loads in bolt guns and they seem to last forever. Never anneal or trim for length. Multiple loads but don’t count them. Mixed brands - no particular preference. Fire maybe 500 a year and only recall a couple of partial split necks. Been doing this for 50 years. You guys worry too much.

 

[Castle Rock]

Fire maybe 500 a year and only recall a couple of partial split rims.

On your truck?

 

[Tahr]

On your truck?

Hah hah. I’ve edited it - necks.

 

[Brazo264]

Collet neck size, prime, throw charge straight from Redding thrower, seat bullet

Mine is neck sizing, prime, powder measured on a chargemaster, seat bullet.

Nothing exotic, thanks for sharing. Shoulder bump when necessary every so often? Thanks again

 

[BradArnett]

Ya I use a redding 3 die set. I can't remember the last time I ran them through the fl die though.

 

[Castle Rock]

Nothing exotic, thanks for sharing. Shoulder bump when necessary every so often? Thanks again

There is no such thing as shoulder bump unless you are using a dedicated bump die which doesn’t size the circumference of the case
I have on occasion fls but generally just use them even when they get snug

 

[Mideerhunter]

First deer down with .223. Shot her this morning in Michigan's early doe season. Factory 223 73 eld-m at 128 yards. Took a higher quartering away shot due to the hill I was on and went through both lungs, somehow had fragments hit the spine and still broke through ribs to pass through. Died right there. The lungs were completely destroyed and I would recommend the bullet to anyone based on what I saw.

 

[Drenalin]

Killed my first bear today, 73 ELD-M at 50 yards. Went maybe 35 and piled up. It’s hotter than balls so I didn’t bother slowing down for pictures. Bear was 225-250 pounds. Bullet actually exited, wound the size of a quarter. Front half of the chest cavity was mushy, as expected.

 

[Tahr]

77TMK at 219 yards. High shoulder shot.
The .223 is so powerful it gutted it and the deer landed in my pack.

 

[wesfromky]

If you are into wood, europtic has t3x hunter ranch for $899, plus $75 rebate. 16" threaded barrel, 1 in 8 twist.

Tikka T3x Hunter .223 Rem 16.1" 1:8" 1/2"x28" Bbl Matte Hunter Stock/Blued 3rd Ranch Rifle JRTXAR312/16 For Sale - EuroOptic

Tikka T3x Hunter .223 Rem 16.1" 1:8" 1/2"x28" Bbl Matte Hunter Stock/Blued 3rd Ranch Rifle JRTXAR312/16 For Sale

www.eurooptic.com

 

[Jfjfrye]

10-12" or so. Found more bullet jacket pieces in the offside shoulder while processing.

If you like what Bergers do, you'll like the DRT. Its unlike any other lead-free option I've used/seen.

View attachment 693387

View attachment 693388

This is awesome. Thank you for posting. I look forward to seeing some results with them myself this year.

 

[Hondo64d]

Shot this boar this AM as he was mounted on a sow. 425 yards with 68gr Hammer HHT launched at 3400fps from my .22GT. Had about a 3/4 value wind from the right and used .4 mils for my wind hold. My only rest was a bag thrown over the top wire of a fence so wobble zone was pretty large. Hit him through the guts. DRT. Pass thru shot. Exit wound in pic. I was not happy with the shot placement and was amazed he dropped in place with such poor placement. I suspect a pedal must have tickled the spine. Once I saw where I hit him, I decided not to explore further. Pig guts are nasty. The pic is deceiving. He’s nearly as heavy as me. I’d put him around 150 to 160 pounds. I never cease to marvel at the shield on these mature boars. About 3/4” thick on one this size, and extends from the last rib to the front of the shoulder. Even thicker on bigger pigs. The best terminal ballistics test media there is.

John