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

In case it is helpful, I have been putting together a spreadsheet of approximate speeds, group sizes, etc. for various factory 223 rounds. Take the group size with a huge grain of salt. All shot very well, and only for a few did I measure with great precision. This should all be regarded as indicative.

All shots were taken with two factory 20” Tikkas (the “Ranahan” model, with iron sights removed. A picture of the two rifles in question is attached. Ignore the wonky mount on the one in the KRG. That scope doesn’t live on that particular rifle.

Speeds were chronographed with the Garmin. Elevation is just above sea level.

I plan to add to this over time.

(Strangely, the Hornady Superformance 223 loaded with 53 Vmax would not fire, despite the firing pin creating significant indentations in the primers. The same rounds would fire just fine in a friend’s AR. I’ll try another box at some point.)

All the best.
 

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Finally used up the rest of my first order of AAC 77tmk ammo and checked velocity on the second batch of 500 I bought. Almost the same velocity (2717 new vs 2714 old) and same POI. Put 10 into a 7" group at 510 yards from my Howa Mini Action 223 sporter barrel in a Bell and Carlson M40 Howa Mini Action stock with a Maven RS1.2 Mil/Mil in UM Premier scope rings.

I've been doing a bunch of shoot at last light since it seems like that is when i get most of my opportunities. Should be ready for early season damage hunts or early antlerless elk shoulder season.

Jay

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Finally used up the rest of my first order of AAC 77tmk ammo and checked velocity on the second batch of 500 I bought. Almost the same velocity (2717 new vs 2714 old) and same POI. Put 10 into a 7" group at 510 yards from my Howa Mini Action 223 sporter barrel in a Bell and Carlson M40 Howa Mini Action stock with a Maven RS1.2 Mil/Mil in UM Premier scope rings.

I've been doing a bunch of shoot at last light since it seems like that is when i get most of my opportunities. Should be ready for early season damage hunts or early antlerless elk shoulder season.

Jay

View attachment 920348
View attachment 920349
Hows the barrel? Do groups open up with heat? Not sure if Howas barrels are truly hammer forged or if they are inconsistent.

Sent from my SM-G990U using Tapatalk
 
Hows the barrel? Do groups open up with heat? Not sure if Howas barrels are truly hammer forged or if they are inconsistent.

Sent from my SM-G990U using Tapatalk
I have one 22" sporter barrel and two 20" heavy barrel rifles. In my experience, they are sub 1" barrels for 5 rounds, sub 1.5" barrels on 10 rounds, and sub 2" barrels on 20 shots. It really all depends upon the shooter and how they are setup. Mine seem to like to be shot suppressed better than bare barreled but that is a trend I'm seeing across all my rifles.

Jay
 
Hows the barrel? Do groups open up with heat? Not sure if Howas barrels are truly hammer forged or if they are inconsistent.

Sent from my SM-G990U using Tapatalk
I've shot my Mini in 223 many times to the point where you can't touch the barrel or suppressor, and the only reason I slow down is due to mirage off the can, and it remains a 1.5" gun, shoots particularly well with 77 grain AAC OTMs.
 
I've shot my Mini in 223 many times to the point where you can't touch the barrel or suppressor, and the only reason I slow down is due to mirage off the can, and it remains a 1.5" gun, shoots particularly well with 77 grain AAC OTMs.
I ordered some of the 77 OTM and I got the new "slow" ammo that was only 2550 fps. Not really what I was looking for. I ordered some of the Bone Frog 77 OTM and haven't shot it yet but it is supposed to be good also.

Jay
 
I ordered some of the 77 OTM and I got the new "slow" ammo that was only 2550 fps. Not really what I was looking for. I ordered some of the Bone Frog 77 OTM and haven't shot it yet but it is supposed to be good also.

Jay
I didn't know there was a new iteration, I bought an obscene amount a couple years back and it all does just shy of 2750 fps with the 22" barrel. 2550 would be a major bummer
 
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