Why you need a 223 trainer / varmit rig

Joined
Aug 23, 2024
Messages
351
Location
N.w. Pennsylvania
So... it's winter bordrum season, so I was looking in reloading books, studying energy and drops, looking at component costs and so forth... and it's really hard not to see the value in a good 223.

A 22-250 w/ a 55gr launched at 3650 looses to a 75gr 223 launched at 2835 literally at 200yds.

Barrel wear, 22-250's are known throat burners, 223's are not, generally have 3x the barrel life of 22-250.

Case costs, you can scrounge range brass for literally free at most ranges. I just bought starline for 30 cents a car cause I hate prepping range brass and I can get 10 loadings outa good brass making my brass cost 3 cents each.

Bullets, off the shelf 55 soft points are 18 to 20 cents each, midsouth is running a sale for 10 cents. No the 77tmk's and bergers arnt free, but they are as cheap or cheaper than their 6mm or 6.5 counterparts.

Powder, tac is cheap and you can get about 280 shots per pound outa it. I barely get 110 shots to the pound with my 6.5 prc

Performance, you don't need a cannon to kill a coyote, coon, or other varmit, even a whitetail will drop to a proper 223 hit. I'm not gonna lie, I like the fireworks in my thermal of a fox & my 243, but when the goal is predator controll and your shooting a box of shells a week, cheap counts.

All said and done, im loading a 1/2 moa, 55sp @ about 3k fps for less than $6 per box of 20... that's cheap hunting.

BTW, eurooptic.com is about giving tikka 223 ranahans away, and if you don't like them a savage 110 trailhunter is a good choice as well.
 
Been debating whether to get one or not. With any new cartridge, I tend to go all in with a build/reloading setup but would like the ability to just buy bulk factory ammo that would give 1-1.5MOA accuracy and go play.

My current go-to is my 6GT and it’s great. Hard to say I’d be better off spending ~$1500 on a 223 prefit and new bolt for my current rifle (Kelbly) instead of just spending that money on components for the GT.
 
My 223 is my favorite rifle, but 99% of the time I grab my 22-250 for calling coyotes. It smokes a 223 in drop all day long, no comparison.
 
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