What bullet to use 223

[Big_Daddy]

What powder are you using?

I use AA2230 with my 53 V-Max bullets

 

[JB10]

Couple years ago found a place blowing them out at 250 packs for $15 and 50vmax for $8/100. I bought couple thousand of each and wish I would have. Bought 5 times what I did

There is a place that sells them by the thousand. Let me know if you want the name of the place. Right now they are a litle high. $183 for 1k count.

 

[K22]

My 223 Rem Varmint Model Tikka, 8" twist, shoots the 55's ok, but it shines with the 60 Vmax, sub 1/2 moa with H4895 or Varget.

 

[painter]

My 223 Rem Varmint Model Tikka, 8" twist, shoots the 55's ok, but it shines with the 60 Vmax, sub 1/2 moa with H4895 or Varget.

I have a Tikka varmint fitted with a Kreiger 1/8 twist the 60 gr V max is outstanding along with Sierra's 55 BK with N-133, which easily does .3s. The 60 gr vmax was a surprise.

 

[Bill K]

If your rifle likes them don't overlook the Speer 52 gr TNT. They usually shoot very well and cost is normally less, than others.

 

[anschuter2013]

Not sure if you have access or already have some LT-32, but 23.5 gr. LT-32 and Berger 52's is usually a good combination.

 

[K22]

I have a Tikka varmint fitted with a Kreiger 1/8 twist the 60 gr V max is outstanding along with Sierra's 55 BK with N-133, which easily does .3s. The 60 gr vmax was a surprise.

I tried the 60Vmax since I was not satisfied with the groups I was getting with the 55's. They (55's) weren't terrible, but I wanted better. My logic was the faster twist with the Tikka 8" compared to what I was accustomed to, i.e., 12" might be better suited to the long shank and flat base of the 60 Vmax.

The little load development I started grouping in the 1/2 to sub 1/2 moa ranges with the 60 Vmax (H4895 and Varget - Federal 205M primers).

 

[iukamedic]

My tikka really likes 60 vmax and tac. It also shoots 77 smks well. Varget and tac are about all I use.

 

[Gabe22BR]

So far the Heins, J4, Sierra bullet jackets out shoot anything else- choose those 3- you’ll be ahead of the game..

 

[ZenArchery]

What purpose?

 

[RabbitSlayer]

My 223 Tikka varmint 8 twist shoots 50 gr vmax blem really well. I should have bought a lot more at 12 a box. I was planning to just break in the barrel and make sure the new gun shoots before moving to the 53 gr which I also shoot in my AR.

24 gr exterminator
7.5 primers
New starline 556 brass.

This is the first time I shot the new gun. Crushed a bunch of PDs a couple weeks ago. Almost done with the first batch of 250 rds. Soon as it cools off I'll load up 53gr and n133. Shot from a stable table and bipod which aint so stable.

If you got 50s at a good price, roll with it. If the price is the same, try the 53.

 

[JSH]

I guess I don’t understand why one would swap bullets and loads all over the place for colony varmints? All that does is make things tougher than they should be. I mean go from a 40 all the way up through how ever heavy. Changes all your dope.
As Gabe mentioned right off the get go, 204 one and done with 40’s.
I have a time swapping from 204 to my 223, 204 is point splat a lot further than the 223.
I don’t want to have to tune so many bullets for the same purpose either, makes me tired thinking about it.

 

[Lefty2506]

I'm looking at going the other way. I have a good bolt action 223 as well as a couple of VERY accurate ARs chambered in 223 Wylde that I've used for prairie dogs, and I'm looking at going to a 20 Practical with 40gr vmax.

Based on the load data I have for my 223, and info I could find on some 20 cals, 22 ARC, and 22 Creedmoore I plugged the info into a ballistic calculator using some of the more popular 22 cal varmint bullets and was surprised at how well the 20s do in comparison.

http://www.shooterscalculator.com/ballistic-trajectory-chart.php?t=cf981d05

I quickly came to the conclusion that if I wanted better performance than what I could get out of a 20 cal, I'd be best served stepping all the way up to a 22 Creedmoore. If you're just wanting to spend some time behind your 223, then anything from 40gr to 53gr is fine. As you move up in weight, you're just trading a little drop for a little better wind resistance. Personally, I go with the 53gr because I can get them on sale for around $20/100 and are flat enough out to 400 yds.

 

[RabbitSlayer]

I'm looking at going the other way. I have a good bolt action 223 as well as a couple of VERY accurate ARs chambered in 223 Wylde that I've used for prairie dogs, and I'm looking at going to a 20 Practical with 40gr vmax.

Based on the load data I have for my 223, and info I could find on some 20 cals, 22 ARC, and 22 Creedmoore I plugged the info into a ballistic calculator using some of the more popular 22 cal varmint bullets and was surprised at how well the 20s do in comparison.

http://www.shooterscalculator.com/ballistic-trajectory-chart.php?t=cf981d05

I quickly came to the conclusion that if I wanted better performance than what I could get out of a 20 cal, I'd be best served stepping all the way up to a 22 Creedmoore. If you're just wanting to spend some time behind your 223, then anything from 40gr to 53gr is fine. As you move up in weight, you're just trading a little drop for a little better wind resistance. Personally, I go with the 53gr because I can get them on sale for around $20/100 and are flat enough out to 400 yds.

I came to the same conclusion. To match or beat a 204 ruger\practical with a 40vmax you gotta go to a 22 creed or 22250. That sure is a lot of powder and noise to do the same thing.

 

[JSH]

Noise, heat and whining, three things I have a hard time dealing with the older I get.