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Best bullet choice for PD's

In a few weeks I am taking my AR in 223 (along with a 17HMR and a 6.5 Creedmore) for our annual PD hunt. Anyway, my choices for 223 loads are:
 
Hit the wrong button apparently: Loads are: 40 Berger varmint bullets over around 27gr H335, Berger 55gr FB Varmint bullets over H335, and Berger 64gr varmint bullets over 8028xbr.

I can get the 40's going at around 3500 fps, which will give the flattest shooting and most splat, but the 55's are by far more accurate, with consistent groups in and around 0.4 out of the AR. The 64's are second most accurate, and will obviously do better in the wind.

Last year I had some freaky pressure signs with 26.5gr H335 and 53gr bullets, with blown primers, etc, so this year's loads are substantially lower, to compensate for the temp increase.

Should I load up only one combination, or bring some of each? If I commit to one load, suppose it doesn't shoot well in the actual field conditions and temperature?
 
I stick to one load only myself & thats a 50g vmax at 3300fps in front of 27.5g W748. Not a speed demon, but very accurate. I have not had a pressure failure or sign in 10* to 105* temps from CA. to WY. Wind & range issues then I just use the mildots or my target turrents after having a fast look at my cheat chart I tape to my scope.
 
For longer ranges i think id try the 53 grain V-max, bc .290, pretty impressive. I also got a few boxes of 50 gr z-maxs' im ashamed to say :-[. I have not tried them yet but a good value epically when on sale
 
For the 223..the 53 V max is the only bullet you need for p/dogs

20 cal ? 40 V max is best for me.....
 
Your 40gr load isn't flat shooting. That Berger 40 has a much lower bc than Nosler or Sierra 40's, even the Vmax. And 3500 is real slow for a .223 shooting 40's. You can easily do that with 50's. I'd stick with plastic tipped 50-55's.
 
I have used more than my share of W 748 and the Hornady 50 SP or 50SX with great results on PD from my ar 15's. Lots of splat and resonably priced., shoot as well as any other bullet that I have tried from my Rock River. I have tried them all and the Hornady works, plus they are very econmical to shoot . Ramshot X terminator works well also, (probably my favorite, easy to load and cleaner than 748).
 
other part of the story ws that last year I loaded hundreds of Sierra MK 53'S, with 26.5 H335 and Wolf srm primers. They were my most accurate load when working them up at 70 degrees. Only, at 90 degrees in SD, they were popping primers.

Also, have never had much luck with any of the plastic tipped bullets in terms of accuracy compared to other designs. It may be worth another look.
 
I plan to shoot prairie dogs for the rest of my life. Please don't use FMJ or match bullets for prairie dogs, no matter how accurate they are. They go way beyond where they should. I don't want to get hit a mile or two away, nor do I want to defend other hunters when a rancher's cow/truck/tractor/barn gets bullet holes.

Scott
 
The only load I have used for eons on p-dogs is the 50g vmax, (the 50g sp before they came out) 27.5g W748, any SRP, 2.280" in bolt and 2.250" in the AR15. Puts them at 3300fps and smacks em flat to 800 yards.
 
Thanks for the tips. We are leaving tomorrow. I have 2000 rounds of 17hmr, and in 223, 300 of 40gr Berger fbv over H335, 400 of Berger 55fbv over H335, 300 Berger 64gr over 8208, and just loaded 200 Hornady Vmax 50gr over TAC. Except for the V max where I ran out of time to test, all the other loads will shoot around 0.4 out of our AR. Most accurate bullet has been the Berger 55.

Also have 500 in 6.5 Creedmore for the really long shots.

Am I missing anything? Looking for the best combination of downrange splat, accuracy, and wind resistance.
 
My favorite bullet for the 223 is the Sierra Blitzking in 40 and 50 grain weights for accuracy and splat factor using N133. For the 6.5 Creedmoor the 95 grain V-max definately wins in the splat factor category but for long distance Varmints the 123 A-max takes the cake with a BC of .510 and coming apart well I have had hits out to 700 yards with that combo on Jackrabbits.
 

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