.223 bullet opinions for varmint hunting?

[BULLET 05]

I have a 1:9 twist barrel CZ 527 h/b and looking for a good ACCURATE bullet to reload. Looking for good varmint Bullet that will do the job also!!! I was hoping to stay between 50-55 grain. I have tried a 52 Berger a 50 and 53 grain V-max. Not as accurate in my gun.

 

[snert]

I like the TNT or the older Hornady SP. Cheap, accurate and do the job.

 

[Shynloco]

Bullet05,
I know you listed three bullet weights you've tried. But may I ask what powder(s) you have tried? The powder does make as much difference as the bullet you test. I've had crummy results with certain powders, but when I changed powders and stayed with the same bullet, crummy went from bad to good. Another option might be to get hold of a variety of bullets (different manufacturers) and test using different powders. I know many of us have a variety of 52 - 55 gr bullets in .223 and could contribute some to your testing. I don't own a CZ so I can't give you specifics other than to TEST. Good luck and holler if you needs some different bullets to test with.

Alex

 

[long40shot]

Get a box of Sierra 55grn Blitzkings and give them a try. Excellent little bullet.

 

[mac86951]

What accuracy at what velocity are you looking for?

 

[jpx2rk]

My RAR 223 8T likes Nosler 55g FBHP's with 23.0g of Varget. I got this load data from the Nosler website which indicated this was the most accurate load/combo they tested. I tried it and 3 shot groups will hide behind a dime if I do my part. Dumb luck/beginners luck, maybe, but I had a good load for this gun with very little effort/time, etc.

 

[JRS]

You might consider using a heavier bullet with that 9 twist barrel.

 

[MS50]

Consider trying tangent ogive bullets. My personal experience has been that secant ogive bullets are harder to tune. I have only one rifle that will shoot them at .150 off the lands. My 1:9 .223 shot Sierra 55gr bullets very well.

 

[msinc]

I have a 1-in-9 twist 223 and it loves Berger 64 grain varmint bullets with 25.0 grains of N-140 powder. You cant always put a finger on these bullets when you want them.....I have also had very good results with those cheap "Varmageddon" 55 grain bullets, 26.0 grains of Winchester 748 works real good too. Same charge of 748 behind a 69 grain match bullet is another one to try with a 1-in-9 barrel. Good luck!!!

 

[drover]

If your rifle is chambered in 223 give the 40 gr Nosler BT or 40 gr Hornady V-Max a try, they both shoot sub-half inch in all of my 223's, 1-8, 1-10, 1-12 twists. The Nosler is the toughest of the two but for PD's and ground squirrels either work well, for coyotes I use the Nosler BT.
The nice part about using 40's is that I see my hits/misses.



drover

 

[BULLET 05]

Bullet05,
I know you listed three bullet weights you've tried. But may I ask what powder(s) you have tried? The powder does make as much difference as the bullet you test. I've had crummy results with certain powders, but when I changed powders and stayed with the same bullet, crummy went from bad to good. Another option might be to get hold of a variety of bullets (different manufacturers) and test using different powders. I know many of us have a variety of 52 - 55 gr bullets in .223 and could contribute some to your testing. I don't own a CZ so I can't give you specifics other than to TEST. Good luck and holler if you needs some different bullets to test with.

Alex

I have tried 8208 xbr and H335. The results are ok but not as good as I think I could get out of my gun.

 

[BULLET 05]

What accuracy at what velocity are you looking for?

I would like to get 3/4" groups its now running around 1" and a little bigger. I would like to get around 3300fps

 

[BULLET 05]

If your rifle is chambered in 223 give the 40 gr Nosler BT or 40 gr Hornady V-Max a try, they both shoot sub-half inch in all of my 223's, 1-8, 1-10, 1-12 twists. The Nosler is the toughest of the two but for PD's and ground squirrels either work well, for coyotes I use the Nosler BT.
The nice part about using 40's is that I see my hits/misses.



drover

This is why I am wanting to find a bullet from 50 - 60 grain. My gun will shoot a 40 gr Berger varmint really really well. It will consistently shoot 4 shots that you can cover with a dime. I am using 27.4 grains H335. A bad group is 3/4" with the 40 gr Berger bullet.

 

[mac86951]

I would like to get 3/4" groups its now running around 1" and a little bigger. I would like to get around 3300fps

Ok; gotcha. 3300 with 8208 and a 50-55 hasn't produced good results for me. H335 is a bit faster and sounds like you've gone the right direction; but I'd recommend something a bit faster still. Powder can make a huge difference in accuracy if you have velocity requirements.

Benchmark, 4198, 10x N133 all even 2230 may produce better results at that velocity.

 

[Larryh128]

Nosler 55 gr Ballistic tips and a charge of 25 grs Benchmark.

 

[338Lapua]

I like the TNT or the older Hornady SP. Cheap, accurate and do the job.

A lot of people over look Hornady SP in favour of the BTs, but these are still devastating on small varmint especially when used in a 22-250 or swift.

 

[snert]

A lot of people over look Hornady SP in favour of the BTs, but these are still a devastating on small varmint especially when used in a 22-250 or swift.

My 40X 22-250 and Swift both shot the old spire point Hornady better than match bullets. I eventually went to the plastic tip only for the increased BC...to overcome my occasional poor distance judgement

 

[mmcu]

I had been shooting 40 grain Nosler Ballistic Tips out of this particular .223 and decided to try out the newer 53 grain Nosler Varmageddon, as it has a much better BC. I was able to get to the range today and the best accuracy I obtained was behind a stiff charge of H4895 - 3 x 5 shot groups that agg'd 0.590" (0.557", 0.624" & 0.589").

The gun is a TC Encore with a 24" Custom Shop, 1:12 twist barrel with a really nice trigger. Granted, not BR accuracy, but certainly good enough for what I ask it to do.

 

[bloc]

If your rifle is chambered in 223 give the 40 gr Nosler BT or 40 gr Hornady V-Max a try, they both shoot sub-half inch in all of my 223's, 1-8, 1-10, 1-12 twists. The Nosler is the toughest of the two but for PD's and ground squirrels either work well, for coyotes I use the Nosler BT.
The nice part about using 40's is that I see my hits/misses.

drover

Agree completely. I have one .223 that loves the 40gr VMax and one that loves the Nosler BT. If you're willing to try 40 grain bullets, my .225 loves the 40 grain Berger.

JFWIW.

 

[Jeff A]

I have had excellent luck with the plain old 52 grain Sierra HPBT. Best when fueled by VihtaVuori N133.