90gr VLD

[bench]

Has anyone ever used their FTR rifle in 223 with a 90gr VLD to shoot pairie dogs.
Any splat factor at all???

 

[scope eye]

I really can't see that happening when it is only leaving the muzzle at 2400 - 2500 Fps, and by the time it reaches 400 -500 yards it will be down to 1700 -1800 Fps. And lets not forget the 70+ inches or 6 feet of bullet drop, it's just not the right tool for the job. Sorry no red mist or acrobatic flips for you.LOL

Dean

 

[284winner]

Has anyone ever used their FTR rifle in 223 with a 90gr VLD to shoot pairie dogs.
Any splat factor at all???

40 vmax. 50s will blow them up at 500 yards. Nothing you don't already know.

 

[bench]

Well I just got to take it with me this year and give it a try,I want to poke one at long range 800 yrds or more
That would be worth a picture on the reloading room wall.
Bench

 

[284winner]

Well I just got to take it with me this year and give it a try,I want to poke one at long range 800 yrds or more
That would be worth a picture on the reloading room wall.
Bench

Definitely will make the range.

 

[XTR]

I really can't see that happening when it is only leaving the muzzle at 2400 - 2500 Fps...

Dean

Maybe in your rifle, mine (and most that I know) are running them in the range of 2800+

 

[scope eye]

I was just quoting speeds from Hodgdon Data, Can you share your load data to get them up to that speed, Inquiring minds want to know.

Dean

PS: Me personally I have absolutely no desire to launch a 90gr bullet behind 20 some odd grains of powder.

 

[bench]

FPS will be 2800+ with 30' barrel running about 23 to 24 grns H4895

 

[XTR]

First you have to have the right reamer.
Second, see step one otherwise stop here.

(Pretty much all of us are running the PTG ISSF with a .169 freebore.)

Load 24.5 grains of Varget, jam 10 and shoot.
H4895 gets a bit more velocity than Varget but the brass doesn't last but 5 or 6 firings.

I think the OALs are in the range of 2.9 or so. It doesn't look like any 223 you've ever seen.

Same method runs 80 Amax at close to 2900.

 

[scope eye]

I am pretty sure they OP was referring to a sammi spec chamber.

Dean

 

[Berger.Fan222]

Not a bullet I would pick for varmints. But if I had an accurate load ready to go for F-Class and a varmint hunting opportunity popped up, I would give it a try.

 

[Rtheurer]

What twist rate does the OP have in his rifle that he wants to try the 90's in. If its not faster than 1:7 he is going to be real disappointed after buying a box of bullets and finding the rifle cant stabilize those big long 90's. Just sayin. I see disappointment on the horizon.

 

[bench]

My barrel is a 6.5 twist PacNor 3 grove 30" Heavy Palma
Might have tried a 7 twist but decided to go to 6.5 twist
And it is a PTG ISSF reamer

 

[XTR]

I am pretty sure they OP was referring to a sammi spec chamber.

Dean

All F-TR rifles are supposed to have sammi spec chambers, we just have longer freebores.

 

[raptor1ronin]

Also pushing my 90VLD with VARGET 23.8 and a 32" Bartlein 1-6.7 twist 2820fps

 

[AckleymanII]

Has anyone ever used their FTR rifle in 223 with a 90gr VLD to shoot pairie dogs.
Any splat factor at all???

Really bad idea from the get go, most of your hits will be crawlers.

You need a varmint rated bullet.

 

[284winner]

Really bad idea from the get go, most of your hits will be crawlers.

You need a varmint rated bullet.

I agree with ackleyman. There will not be any bullet expansion only a pencil hole and the dog will run without notice of a positive hit. Happened to me with many hits with the 185 vld from a 308. That's the problem with the longest ranges. If you have a spotter, he can tell you if the hit is solid usually. If it's just to see what a 90 will do at the longest ranges, you may never know if the dog gets away. Shoot enough and you will eventually find a few solid chest hit critters to examine. We did find a bunch that were hit well enough to stop on impact.

 

[WindSurgeon]

I tried some 80 grain VLD's pushing 2600 at 600 yards on PD's. Not all that exciting other than the accomplishment of a hit at that range. No crimson explosion. For splat action, smaller, faster and closer is better.

 

[284winner]

I tried some 80 grain VLD's pushing 2600 at 600 yards on PD's. Not all that exciting other than the accomplishment of a hit at that range. No crimson explosion. For splat action, smaller, faster and closer is better.

Explosions happen at 600 yards with 50 BTs but at higher velocities than the 223 provide. Think I ran 40 BTs in my 223 at 400 yds and had some good blow ups on PDs .

 

[jpretle]

For splat action, smaller, faster and closer is better.

Wind Surgeon, can't get too close or you get blood on the truck. By my rules, that is a no, no. Thought that rule applied in the mid-west, also.
Please advise.