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

[grfox92]

I'm getting set up to reload for .223. Finally. I will be using an AR for now until I get a bolt gun.

My AR shot factory Fiochi 55gr V Max into a 1 inch 10 shot group at 100 yards. I'm looking at midway at some of these factory second bullets in the $10 to $20 per 100 range. That would be my sweet spot for buying some bulk. Is there a way to know what I'm getting? I'm not looking for V Max per se, just a better bullet than what you would get in Bulk FMJ ammo.

To be clear this is just for shooting paper and steel. If my wife draws an antelope tag I'll get some eldm when that time comes. But for now I need ammo just for training.

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[Jimbee]

I'm getting set up to reload for .223. Finally. I will be using an AR for now until I get a bolt gun.

My AR shot factory Fiochi 55gr V Max into a 1 inch 10 shot group at 100 yards. I'm looking at midway at some of these factory second bullets in the $10 to $20 per 100 range. That would be my sweet spot for buying some bulk. Is there a way to know what I'm getting? I'm not looking for V Max per se, just a better bullet than what you would get in Bulk FMJ ammo.

To be clear this is just for shooting paper and steel. If my wife draws an antelope tag I'll get some eldm when that time comes. But for now I need ammo just for training.

Sent from my SM-G990U using Tapatalk

Look at the questions and reviews for the individual seconds bullets.

 

[Slickhill]

And compare the name/description and the picture. Hornadys use a shaded cartoon picture and the seconds will often use the same image.
Don’t be afraid of the seconds for use on game. I can’t recall the last time I used a full price factory first for anything.

 

[TimberHunter]

Loading VV powders (N135, N140, N150) I have hit pressure prior to VVs max. YMMV.

I recently loaded up some N150 with 77 TMK. 16 rounds (1 at 23, 6-24 and 7-24.5 grains) all went into the same 1.25” group. Velocity was 2690 at 24 and 2735 at 24.5 with a 16” tikka barrel

Lot of powder crunching at 24 and 24.5 when 77 TMKs loaded to 2.270 coal. But when shaking 24, there seemed to be the finest bit of movement still left in the powder that could be heard by the ear

No signs of pressure other than a few mild primer cratering at 24.5

Vih book max shows a bit over 25 grains with COAL of 2.26 with nosler 77. No idea how they got that lol

Did you experience the same thing or did you actually hit pressure?

 

[Marbles]

I recently loaded up some N150 with 77 TMK. 16 rounds (1 at 23, 6-24 and 7-24.5 grains) all went into the same 1.25” group. Velocity was 2690 at 24 and 2735 at 24.5 with a 16” tikka barrel

Lot of powder crunching at 24 and 24.5 when 77 TMKs loaded to 2.270 coal. But when shaking 24, there seemed to be the finest bit of movement still left in the powder that could be heard by the ear

No signs of pressure other than a few mild primer cratering at 24.5

Vih book max shows a bit over 25 grains with COAL of 2.26 with nosler 77. No idea how they got that lol

Did you experience the same thing or did you actually hit pressure?

12 inch drop tub and tapping let me load 25.5 gr at mag length, with crunching of course.

That was the load that I blew primers on. Before that, I had shot a decent number (between 50-150) of that load with mild cratering on CCI 450s and flattening on Fed 205s. 2778 fps from a 16.5 inch barrel suppressed using FC brass.

25.0 gr looked similar in testing but I did not load nearly as many.

Currently I'm using 24.6 gr for 2700 fps using fed 205s in Federal 5.56 brass.

According to my notes I got 26.0 gr of N140 in Sig brass and no pressure signs, I found both N135 and N150 to be more accurate than N140, so other than burning up the poundbin target loads, I did not play with it much. But, given that the Sig brass has a smaller water capacity than FC and that N150 is a slower powder, I was falsely confident in 25.5 gr being fine.

 

[Pharmseller]

My son in law lives in Texas, he’s going on a hog hunt next month, he’s going to take his new-to-him Tikka T3x Varmint .223. What factory ammo should he look to buy?

He's not planning on bringing any meat home.




P

 

[HairyScandinavian]

My son in law lives in Texas, he’s going on a hog hunt next month, he’s going to take his new-to-him Tikka T3x Varmint .223. What factory ammo should he look to buy?

He's not planning on bringing any meat home.




P

Whatever shoots well. We just ear-hole them because we don't want to have to track them. Our 223 hog based stuff is always ARs so typically reach for something like Gold Dots if somebody wants to shoulder shoot or for shooting on the run. It's just what we have already on hand and feeds well with the 55r and 62gr stuff. Anything will work really.

 

[Pharmseller]

It’s new to him so he doesn’t know what shoots well. I’m asking for a starting point.




P

 

[TimberHunter]

12 inch drop tub and tapping let me load 25.5 gr at mag length, with crunching of course.

That was the load that I blew primers on. Before that, I had shot a decent number (between 50-150) of that load with mild cratering on CCI 450s and flattening on Fed 205s. 2778 fps from a 16.5 inch barrel suppressed using FC brass.

25.0 gr looked similar in testing but I did not load nearly as many.

Currently I'm using 24.6 gr for 2700 fps using fed 205s in Federal 5.56 brass.

According to my notes I got 26.0 gr of N140 in Sig brass and no pressure signs, I found both N135 and N150 to be more accurate than N140, so other than burning up the poundbin target loads, I did not play with it much. But, given that the Sig brass has a smaller water capacity than FC and that N150 is a slower powder, I was falsely confident in 25.5 gr being fine.

Thanks for the info. I’ll probably just run with 24 of N150 since my velocity matches yours at 24.6 and I’d like to be around 2700 fps with my 16” tikka barrel.

Did you make a drop tube or buy one? They seem awful expensive for a little tube lol. Maybe a straw could work..?


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[cowdisciple]

It’s new to him so he doesn’t know what shoots well. I’m asking for a starting point.




P

Is there a reason not to start with factory 73gr ELDM? Widely available, shoot great out of my T3x, haven't noticed anyone saying they don't shoot well.

 

[Drenalin]

Is there a reason not to start with factory 73gr ELDM? Widely available, shoot great out of my T3x, haven't noticed anyone saying they don't shoot well.

73 ELDM would be my recommendation, but also noticed a post earlier today with factory loaded 77 TMKs. Gold Dots are a good rec too. @Pharmseller what’s his twist rate?

 

[Pharmseller]

73 ELDM would be my recommendation, but also noticed a post earlier today with factory loaded 77 TMKs. Gold Dots are a good rec too. @Pharmseller what’s his twist rate?

1-8”, 24” barrel.

Okay, 23.6”, but I’m rounding up.

The Finns are metric.




P

 

[The Guide]

It’s new to him so he doesn’t know what shoots well. I’m asking for a starting point.




P

I always lean towards the heavier bullets if it has the twist to shoot them. Factory Hornady 73eldm is good, the AAC 77tmk and 75gr Sabre Blade Black Tips have shot well, and the 62 Fusion ammo works well too. Depends on how much time he has to get ammo and shoot for groups. You can order what you want if you have time or he is at the mercy of local availability.

Jay

 

[Marbles]

Thanks for the info. I’ll probably just run with 24 of N150 since my velocity matches yours at 24.6 and I’d like to be around 2700 fps with my 16” tikka barrel.

Did you make a drop tube or buy one? They seem awful expensive for a little tube lol. Maybe a straw could work..?


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Carbon arrow shaft is what I used, had some broken Easton shafts laying around. The internal diameter is just tight enough to hold a 223 neck, and a 6.5 mm (I think) funnel fits over the outer diameter.

I'm using the Hornady metal funnel.

 

[Bluumoon]

Ok...now compare to a 22 arc. If they'll load the TMKs to near 22 arc speeds. Now we've got a gun that has cheap blaster ammo, but can flex up into a really good hunting setup. That would check a lot of boxes for a lot of people.




I bugged em on IG to make some TMKs. I received a positive response. I think roksliders would hoover them up. Even if they just made a brass option. Their price point lands nicely between aac and black hills. Neither which are readily in stock.

Bone Frog is coming out w 77gr TMK load, the SMK load was very impressive. Price point in the middle as well. @h2so4

 

[NVUplandHunter]

Anyone shot the Atomic Match 223 with the 77 TMK? found a decent deal on them but not sure how they shoot out of Tikkas?

 

[Speaks]

1-8”, 24” barrel.

Okay, 23.6”, but I’m rounding up.

The Finns are metric.




P

My Tikka 223 really loves the 73 ELDMs they are the tightest grouping or all factory loads I have found and also readily available. Mine is the 1:8 22" barrel. Of the available 77 TMK loads I have tried none have been quite as consistent for me as the ELDMs and are harder to find.

 

[RWT]

The PSA 75 blacktops have done well for me. I would avoid the HP bullets as my results have not been similar to FMJ’s. They just didn’t expand enough to drop them quickly.

 

[Pharmseller]

My Tikka 223 really loves the 73 ELDMs they are the tightest grouping or all factory loads I have found and also readily available. Mine is the 1:8 22" barrel. Of the available 77 TMK loads I have tried none have been quite as consistent for me as the ELDMs and are harder to find.

Thanks, I handload the 75 ELDM and it shoots great. I’ll recommend the 73 grain version to him.




P

 

[Thegman]

My Tikka 223 really loves the 73 ELDMs they are the tightest grouping or all factory loads I have found and also readily available. Mine is the 1:8 22" barrel. Of the available 77 TMK loads I have tried none have been quite as consistent for me as the ELDMs and are harder to find.

Matches my experience with handloading those two as well, fwiw.