Speed kills - 40 gr vs 53 gr in a 223

drover · Aug 8, 2022

If any of you have ready my replies to PD bullets you have likely noticed that I am a proponent of the 40 gr bullets for PD shooting - here is the reason I favor the 40 gr over the 50/53 gr bullets.

Below are the JBM ballistic charts comparing them - it is obvious that the 40 gr does not give up anything significant to the 53 and in most instances the 40 gr bests the 53

3700 fps out of the 223 with 40 gr is obtainable with numerous powders.
3000 fps out of the 223 with 50/53 gr bullets is the top velocity with most powders only attaining 2850 - 2900 fps.
These are not "pie in the sky" figures - the 3700 and 3000 fps are from load data from reloading manuals. These calculations are top velocity with both bullets.

The 40 gr Nosler has less drop, drift figures are essentially comparble, energy figures favor the 40 gr out to 300 yds and then slightly shifts in favor of the 53 gr but so little as to be insignificant.

Recoil differences between the 40 and 53 is negligible but is slightly in favor of the 40 which may make a difference on a high volume day.

40 gr Nosler ballistic tip @ 3700 fps - 10 mph wind

Calculated Table
Range	Drop	Drop	Windage	Windage	Velocity	Mach	Energy	Time	Lead	Lead
(yd)	(in)	(MOA)	(in)	(MOA)	(ft/s)	(none)	(ft•lbs)	(s)	(in)	(MOA)
0	-2	*******	0	*******	3700.0	3.314	1215.7	0.000	0	*******
100	-0	-0	1	1	3192.9	2.860	905.3	0.087	0	0
200	-2	-1	5	2	2740.8	2.455	667.1	0.189	0	0
300	-9	-3	11	4	2331.2	2.088	482.6	0.307	0	0
400	-22	-5	22	5	1958.4	1.754	340.6	0.448	0	0
500	-44	-8	37	7	1625.7	1.456	234.7	0.616	0	0

53 gr Hornady V-Max @ 3000 fps - 10 mph wind

Calculated Table
Range	Drop	Drop	Windage	Windage	Velocity	Mach	Energy	Time	Lead	Lead
(yd)	(in)	(MOA)	(in)	(MOA)	(ft/s)	(none)	(ft•lbs)	(s)	(in)	(MOA)
0	-2	*******	0	*******	3000.0	2.687	1059.0	0.000	0	*******
100	-0	-0	1	1	2666.0	2.388	836.3	0.106	0	0
200	-3	-2	5	2	2355.6	2.110	652.9	0.226	0	0
300	-13	-4	11	3	2066.4	1.851	502.4	0.362	0	0
400	-31	-7	21	5	1799.2	1.612	380.9	0.517	0	0
500	-60	-11	35	7	1557.8	1.395	285.5	0.697	0	0

40 gr Nosler ballistic tip recoil - 9# rifle


Recoil
Input Data
Charge Weight:	26.0 gr	Muzzle Velocity:	3700.0 ft/s
Firearm Weight:	9.0 lb	Bullet Weight:	40.0 gr
Output Data
Recoil Velocity:	4.3 ft/s	Recoil Energy:	2.6 ft•lbs
Recoil Impulse:	1.2 lb•s

53 gr Hornady V-Max recoil - 9# rifle


Recoil
Input Data
Charge Weight:	28.0 gr	Muzzle Velocity:	3000.0 ft/s
Firearm Weight:	9.0 lb	Bullet Weight:	53.0 gr
Output Data
Recoil Velocity:	4.6 ft/s	Recoil Energy:	3.0 ft•lbs
Recoil Impulse:	1.3 lb•s

jepp2 · Aug 8, 2022

drover said:
here is the reason I favor the 40 gr over the 50/53 gr bullets.

Another benefit I expect the 40 gr pill would offer is more explosive on contact with the intended target, and less prone to ricochet on a miss.

I tend to shoot far more pd's with my 20P and I favor the 32 gr bullets for nearly the same reasons you point out. I load it at a leisurely 3800 fps and it just devastates the dogs.

All my prairie dog hunting is done on a working cattle ranch. So I am very concerned about a bullet that doesn't stop when it hits the ground. I shoot by myself so I'm always responsible for spotting for myself. Even with the scope on 24X, I can spot any misses and hits. My goal is to hit them in the middle of the chest for quick death and maximum destruction. On my AR, I put the lead weight in the AR A2 buttstock. On my bolt guns, I just have to make sure I have the rifle firmly shouldered before I sent the bullet on the way.

alf · Aug 8, 2022

Drover, I totally agree with with you on the 40 grainers, as I settled on them for all my 223 loads, and my reamer has zero freebore to accommodate them. Typically 3750-3800 for velocities.

But i feel you short changed the 50-53 for velocities for a comparison. Nosler shows nothing less than 3220 for max velocity in a 24" barrel. I run 53 Vmax at 3200 in my 18" AR, 3400 in a 20" bolt gun for 52 Bergers.

Ackman · Aug 8, 2022

drover said:
If any of you have ready my replies to PD bullets you have likely noticed that I am a proponent of the 40 gr bullets for PD shooting - here is the reason I favor the 40 gr over the 50/53 gr bullets.

Below are the JBM ballistic charts comparing them - it is obvious that the 40 gr does not give up anything significant to the 53 and in most instances the 40 gr bests the 53

3700 fps out of the 223 with 40 gr is obtainable with numerous powders.
3000 fps out of the 223 with 50/53 gr bullets is the top velocity with most powders only attaining 2850 - 2900 fps.
These are not "pie in the sky" figures - the 3700 and 3000 fps are from load data from reloading manuals. These calculations are top velocity with both bullets.

The 40 gr Nosler has less drop, drift figures are essentially comparble, energy figures favor the 40 gr out to 300 yds and then slightly shifts in favor of the 53 gr but so little as to be insignificant.

Recoil differences between the 40 and 53 is negligible but is slightly in favor of the 40 which may make a difference on a high volume day.

40 gr Nosler ballistic tip @ 3700 fps - 10 mph wind

Calculated Table
Range
Drop
Drop
Windage
Windage
Velocity
Mach
Energy
Time
Lead
Lead
(yd)
(in)
(MOA)
(in)
(MOA)
(ft/s)
(none)
(ft•lbs)
(s)
(in)
(MOA)
0
-2
***
0
***
3700.0
3.314
1215.7
0.000
0
***
100
-0
-0
1
1
3192.9
2.860
905.3
0.087
0
0
200
-2
-1
5
2
2740.8
2.455
667.1
0.189
0
0
300
-9
-3
11
4
2331.2
2.088
482.6
0.307
0
0
400
-22
-5
22
5
1958.4
1.754
340.6
0.448
0
0
500
-44
-8
37
7
1625.7
1.456
234.7
0.616
0
0

53 gr Hornady V-Max @ 3000 fps - 10 mph wind

Calculated Table
Range
Drop
Drop
Windage
Windage
Velocity
Mach
Energy
Time
Lead
Lead
(yd)
(in)
(MOA)
(in)
(MOA)
(ft/s)
(none)
(ft•lbs)
(s)
(in)
(MOA)
0
-2
***
0
***
3000.0
2.687
1059.0
0.000
0
***
100
-0
-0
1
1
2666.0
2.388
836.3
0.106
0
0
200
-3
-2
5
2
2355.6
2.110
652.9
0.226
0
0
300
-13
-4
11
3
2066.4
1.851
502.4
0.362
0
0
400
-31
-7
21
5
1799.2
1.612
380.9
0.517
0
0
500
-60
-11
35
7
1557.8
1.395
285.5
0.697
0
0

40 gr Nosler ballistic tip recoil - 9# rifle

Recoil
Input Data
Charge Weight:
26.0 gr
Muzzle Velocity:
3700.0 ft/s
Firearm Weight:
9.0 lb
Bullet Weight:
40.0 gr
Output Data
Recoil Velocity:
4.3 ft/s
Recoil Energy:
2.6 ft•lbs
Recoil Impulse:
1.2 lb•s

53 gr Hornady V-Max recoil - 9# rifle

Recoil
Input Data
Charge Weight:
28.0 gr
Muzzle Velocity:
3000.0 ft/s
Firearm Weight:
9.0 lb
Bullet Weight:
53.0 gr
Output Data
Recoil Velocity:
4.6 ft/s
Recoil Energy:
3.0 ft•lbs
Recoil Impulse:
1.3 lb•s

The Hornady Handbook of Cartridge Reloading, volume 2, is 1000 pages of ballistics for all their bullets. Very interesting and surprising stuff in there about trajectories. And yes, 40's going at 40gr speeds can shoot flatter than 50's and 50-whatevers going at their speeds, out to a pretty decent range. As an aside - my 20" .223 truck gun loves the 40 Vmax doing 3895, shoots very flat. Zeroed at 200, same as 50yds. Load is 27.5 / VV133 / 7-1/2 / IMI SS109 brass. Lapua and LC should be just fine with that load, don't know about Rem. or Win.

drover · Aug 8, 2022

alf said:
Drover, I totally agree with with you on the 40 grainers, as I settled on them for all my 223 loads, and my reamer has zero freebore to accommodate them. Typically 3750-3800 for velocities.

But i feel you short changed the 50-53 for velocities for a comparison. Nosler shows nothing less than 3220 for max velocity in a 24" barrel. I run 53 Vmax at 3200 in my 18" AR, 3400 in a 20" bolt gun for 52 Bergers.

Alf,
It was not my intent to deliberately shortchange the 53 Hornady, I used Hodgdon data for the charts. I was aware that Nosler showed higher velocity for the 53 but they also show 40 gr Nosler at 3867 fps for the 223.
I did not want to clutter up the post with so many charts that it became confusing so I just posted the Hodgdon figures.

Using the maximum Nosler data figures the 40 gr definitely gives up some energy but it still has plenty for PD shooting out to 500 yds. Drops are almost identical for both weights and windage is near enough as to not be much of a concern.
Another plus for the 40's is that as jepp2 mentioned is the ability to see ones own hits/misses using the 40's, using 50/53 gr I begin to loose that ability.

40 gr Nosler ballistic tip @ 3867 fps

(yd)	(in)	(MOA)	(in)	(MOA)	(ft/s)	(none)	(ft•lbs)	(s)	(in)	(MOA)
Range	Drop	Drop	Windage	Windage	Velocity	Mach	Energy	Time	Lead	Lead
Calculated Table
0	-2	***	0	***	3867.0	3.464	1327.9	0.000	0	***
100	-0	-0	1	1	3340.0	2.992	990.7	0.084	0	0
200	-2	-1	4	2	2872.8	2.573	732.9	0.180	0	0
300	-8	-2	11	3	2451.4	2.196	533.6	0.293	0	0
400	-19	-5	20	5	2067.5	1.852	379.6	0.427	0	0
500	-39	-7	35	7	1721.8	1.542	263.3	0.586	0	0

53 gr Hornday V-max @ 3540 fps

(yd)	(in)	(MOA)	(in)	(MOA)	(ft/s)	(none)	(ft•lbs)	(s)	(in)	(MOA)
Range	Drop	Drop	Windage	Windage	Velocity	Mach	Energy	Time	Lead	Lead
Calculated Table
0	-2	***	0	***	3540.0	3.171	1474.5	0.000	0	***
100	-0	-0	1	1	3162.3	2.832	1176.7	0.090	0	0
200	-2	-1	4	2	2816.0	2.522	933.0	0.190	0	0
300	-8	-3	9	3	2495.2	2.235	732.6	0.303	0	0
400	-20	-5	16	4	2196.4	1.967	567.7	0.432	0	0
500	-40	-8	27	5	1918.9	1.719	433.2	0.578	0	0

alf · Aug 8, 2022

Energy is hardly worth a mention when talking PD's.

One of my favorites till it died was a 22" 221 Fireball with the 40's. Killed many a dog past 400 with it.

David Milisock · Aug 8, 2022

drover said:
If any of you have ready my replies to PD bullets you have likely noticed that I am a proponent of the 40 gr bullets for PD shooting - here is the reason I favor the 40 gr over the 50/53 gr bullets.

Below are the JBM ballistic charts comparing them - it is obvious that the 40 gr does not give up anything significant to the 53 and in most instances the 40 gr bests the 53

3700 fps out of the 223 with 40 gr is obtainable with numerous powders.
3000 fps out of the 223 with 50/53 gr bullets is the top velocity with most powders only attaining 2850 - 2900 fps.
These are not "pie in the sky" figures - the 3700 and 3000 fps are from load data from reloading manuals. These calculations are top velocity with both bullets.

The 40 gr Nosler has less drop, drift figures are essentially comparble, energy figures favor the 40 gr out to 300 yds and then slightly shifts in favor of the 53 gr but so little as to be insignificant.

Recoil differences between the 40 and 53 is negligible but is slightly in favor of the 40 which may make a difference on a high volume day.

40 gr Nosler ballistic tip @ 3700 fps - 10 mph wind

Calculated Table
Range
Drop
Drop
Windage
Windage
Velocity
Mach
Energy
Time
Lead
Lead
(yd)
(in)
(MOA)
(in)
(MOA)
(ft/s)
(none)
(ft•lbs)
(s)
(in)
(MOA)
0
-2
***
0
***
3700.0
3.314
1215.7
0.000
0
***
100
-0
-0
1
1
3192.9
2.860
905.3
0.087
0
0
200
-2
-1
5
2
2740.8
2.455
667.1
0.189
0
0
300
-9
-3
11
4
2331.2
2.088
482.6
0.307
0
0
400
-22
-5
22
5
1958.4
1.754
340.6
0.448
0
0
500
-44
-8
37
7
1625.7
1.456
234.7
0.616
0
0

53 gr Hornady V-Max @ 3000 fps - 10 mph wind

Calculated Table
Range
Drop
Drop
Windage
Windage
Velocity
Mach
Energy
Time
Lead
Lead
(yd)
(in)
(MOA)
(in)
(MOA)
(ft/s)
(none)
(ft•lbs)
(s)
(in)
(MOA)
0
-2
***
0
***
3000.0
2.687
1059.0
0.000
0
***
100
-0
-0
1
1
2666.0
2.388
836.3
0.106
0
0
200
-3
-2
5
2
2355.6
2.110
652.9
0.226
0
0
300
-13
-4
11
3
2066.4
1.851
502.4
0.362
0
0
400
-31
-7
21
5
1799.2
1.612
380.9
0.517
0
0
500
-60
-11
35
7
1557.8
1.395
285.5
0.697
0
0

40 gr Nosler ballistic tip recoil - 9# rifle

Recoil
Input Data
Charge Weight:
26.0 gr
Muzzle Velocity:
3700.0 ft/s
Firearm Weight:
9.0 lb
Bullet Weight:
40.0 gr
Output Data
Recoil Velocity:
4.3 ft/s
Recoil Energy:
2.6 ft•lbs
Recoil Impulse:
1.2 lb•s

53 gr Hornady V-Max recoil - 9# rifle

Recoil
Input Data
Charge Weight:
28.0 gr
Muzzle Velocity:
3000.0 ft/s
Firearm Weight:
9.0 lb
Bullet Weight:
53.0 gr
Output Data
Recoil Velocity:
4.6 ft/s
Recoil Energy:
3.0 ft•lbs
Recoil Impulse:
1.3 lb•s

I figured this out with my Howa many years ago. I could shoot good 300 yards groups with the 40 VMAX and 600 FPS faster then 55's and 400 to 500 FPS faster then 52's or 53's. The load made my 223 as good as it gets, I get explosive performance on head shots and accuracy enough to reliability get them out to 350. ON CALM DAYS!

I held for a body shot at a bit over 400 and missed, hit the head and still had significant performance.

I have 2 varmint bolt rifles a 6MM Remington and my 223 Howa both are very good field rifles but my 6MM only sees work on iffy wind days or if I know the work will be 400+ yards.

RAG · Aug 8, 2022

I like too like the 40 vmax...mostly because it's more accurate in my 223AI. That said, I certainly think the lower capacity cartridges will favor the lighter bullets, whereas something like a 22BR is going to shine with the 53s over the 40s. Either way, personally I like what shoots best in my rifles because I like the confidence of small groups!

With 223AI loaded to relatively equal pressures in my gun, there's only a 300 FPS difference between the 40s (things starting to get hot for me around 3950fps) and 53s (things starting to get hot around 3650fps). I'd suspect in a regular 223, that difference ought to be more like 350fps, and certainly not more than 400 fps.

5spd · Aug 8, 2022

A pal runs 40g bullets in his .223s for the speed and pop a pdog nicley.
If I recall he's at 3600fps or a tad more.
Thompson center bolt guns.
I only run 50g bullets, in my 1/14" 24" bbl they chrony at 3328 fps which is plenty for me, and accurate. Usually I stick at 3200to3300fps, seems most accurate in my .223 rigs
I've ran 40g here n there overtime but settled on the 50s for my usage.

urbanrifleman · Aug 8, 2022

I run the 50s at 3850 in my 223 Ackley. That is the best compromise.

LCazador · Aug 8, 2022

urbanrifleman said:
I run the 50s at 3850 in my 223 Ackley. That is the best compromise.

That's been my experience and forget those 40's in any kind of wind. They don't do in real life what they do on paper! 50 years shootin' PD's 0-1500 yds too!! That is an "apples and oranges" comparison! Touche!

Hntnhrd · Aug 8, 2022

On pdogs accuracy seems to be the key. It’s a pretty small target. Now if its a spectacular end to the Praire Dogs life is the end goal then speed is what you need. 39 grain blitzking at 4200 feet per second will get results like this under 250 yards. Out at 400 it’s not anywhere near as spectacular

drover · Aug 8, 2022

LCazador said:
That's been my experience and forget those 40's in any kind of wind. They don't do in real life what they do on paper! 50 years shootin' PD's 0-1500 yds too!! That is an "apples and oranges" comparison! Touche!

I think I have at least of decade of PD shooting experience on you but I too shot 50/52's for a lot of years but once I discovered the plastic tip 40's I never went back. I limit most of my shooting to 100 - 300 yard shots with only occasional shots out to 400-500 yards and I see pretty much what the ballistic tables project.

The reason for my post was that there are quite a few threads about PD bullet recommendations and the ballistic chart serves to illustrate that the differences are minor at best.

To each his own though I am glad you are happy with the 50's but I will stay with the 40's.

drover

JSH · Aug 8, 2022

I am an admitted speed freak. I shoot a fair number of 40’s driven as fast as I can get good accuracy. I dote on the 53 Vmax because it seems to give me great results with little work.

Not to derail the thread, the wind blowing around the 17 center fires was put to bed this spring. He was shooting his 20P, 30” barrel with 40 grain Vmax@4000fps. I had my 17 Remington shooting 25 grain Vmax around 3950. He was struggling that day an the 17 was a laser. We intentionally shot in some bad wind side by side just to see what the results were.

Coyotefurharvester · Aug 8, 2022

I have several cases of factory Nosler 223 40gr BT ammo(marked bolt action rifles only, due to overall length). 3700 fps muzzle. -21.1@400 356# energy. Now 22-250 @4200 -13.9 inches@400 422# energy.

Fern · Aug 8, 2022

I stocked up on 40 noslers couple years ago when I found them and bought probably more then I will need.
I have a tikka t3 varmint that been on a fence with what I should load with it 40s 50 or 55. I was leaning towards the 40 noslers. I have a leupolds cds 18x scope on it and might send in the cap to get the turret made for this bullet.
We also loaded them in my friends 22-250 and he pushed them out at 4500 fps which is just insane. Punched through AR500 steel at 100 yards but it was a laser and been meaning to get out there and try on some p dogs

BobbyJ · Aug 8, 2022

drover said:
If any of you have ready my replies to PD bullets you have likely noticed that I am a proponent of the 40 gr bullets for PD shooting - here is the reason I favor the 40 gr over the 50/53 gr bullets.

Below are the JBM ballistic charts comparing them - it is obvious that the 40 gr does not give up anything significant to the 53 and in most instances the 40 gr bests the 53

3700 fps out of the 223 with 40 gr is obtainable with numerous powders.
3000 fps out of the 223 with 50/53 gr bullets is the top velocity with most powders only attaining 2850 - 2900 fps.
These are not "pie in the sky" figures - the 3700 and 3000 fps are from load data from reloading manuals. These calculations are top velocity with both bullets.

The 40 gr Nosler has less drop, drift figures are essentially comparble, energy figures favor the 40 gr out to 300 yds and then slightly shifts in favor of the 53 gr but so little as to be insignificant.

Recoil differences between the 40 and 53 is negligible but is slightly in favor of the 40 which may make a difference on a high volume day.

40 gr Nosler ballistic tip @ 3700 fps - 10 mph wind

Calculated Table
Range
Drop
Drop
Windage
Windage
Velocity
Mach
Energy
Time
Lead
Lead
(yd)
(in)
(MOA)
(in)
(MOA)
(ft/s)
(none)
(ft•lbs)
(s)
(in)
(MOA)
0
-2
***
0
***
3700.0
3.314
1215.7
0.000
0
***
100
-0
-0
1
1
3192.9
2.860
905.3
0.087
0
0
200
-2
-1
5
2
2740.8
2.455
667.1
0.189
0
0
300
-9
-3
11
4
2331.2
2.088
482.6
0.307
0
0
400
-22
-5
22
5
1958.4
1.754
340.6
0.448
0
0
500
-44
-8
37
7
1625.7
1.456
234.7
0.616
0
0

53 gr Hornady V-Max @ 3000 fps - 10 mph wind

Calculated Table
Range
Drop
Drop
Windage
Windage
Velocity
Mach
Energy
Time
Lead
Lead
(yd)
(in)
(MOA)
(in)
(MOA)
(ft/s)
(none)
(ft•lbs)
(s)
(in)
(MOA)
0
-2
***
0
***
3000.0
2.687
1059.0
0.000
0
***
100
-0
-0
1
1
2666.0
2.388
836.3
0.106
0
0
200
-3
-2
5
2
2355.6
2.110
652.9
0.226
0
0
300
-13
-4
11
3
2066.4
1.851
502.4
0.362
0
0
400
-31
-7
21
5
1799.2
1.612
380.9
0.517
0
0
500
-60
-11
35
7
1557.8
1.395
285.5
0.697
0
0

40 gr Nosler ballistic tip recoil - 9# rifle

Recoil
Input Data
Charge Weight:
26.0 gr
Muzzle Velocity:
3700.0 ft/s
Firearm Weight:
9.0 lb
Bullet Weight:
40.0 gr
Output Data
Recoil Velocity:
4.3 ft/s
Recoil Energy:
2.6 ft•lbs
Recoil Impulse:
1.2 lb•s

53 gr Hornady V-Max recoil - 9# rifle

Recoil
Input Data
Charge Weight:
28.0 gr
Muzzle Velocity:
3000.0 ft/s
Firearm Weight:
9.0 lb
Bullet Weight:
53.0 gr
Output Data
Recoil Velocity:
4.6 ft/s
Recoil Energy:
3.0 ft•lbs
Recoil Impulse:
1.3 lb•s

I think you choose 3000 and 3700 to prove your point. It would be more realistic to compare Hornadys factory 53gr which shoots at 3450 fps from a 24" right out of the box.
When comparing
53gr 2.90 BC - 3450 to
40 gr 2.00 BC - 3700

Out to around 280 yards they are close but the 53gr is 3" better on wind drift
400 yards
40gr - 22.3" drop 23" drift 319 FPE 1897 FPS
53gr - 21" drop 15.7" drift 566.4 FPE 2194 FPS

Even with a 250 fps advantage the 53s still win in drift, velocity and 7" of wind drift. Not to mention less heat and wear on the barrel.

Can those 40s be shot out of a 1/9 twist at those speeds? Just curious.

BobbyJ · Aug 8, 2022

JSH said:
I am an admitted speed freak. I shoot a fair number of 40’s driven as fast as I can get good accuracy. I dote on the 53 Vmax because it seems to give me great results with little work.

Not to derail the thread, the wind blowing around the 17 center fires was put to bed this spring. He was shooting his 20P, 30” barrel with 40 grain Vmax@4000fps. I had my 17 Remington shooting 25 grain Vmax around 3950. He was struggling that day an the 17 was a laser. We intentionally shot in some bad wind side by side just to see what the results were.

The BC of the the .17 is .23 vs .200 of the 40gr.
Your drop and drift if zeroed at 100 is 17/17 vs his 18/21"
On paper the 17 wins but its not a huge amount, 4" better in the wind. Could it be he was also not a great wind shooter too? Not that big a difference.

BobbyJ · Aug 8, 2022

drover said:
Another plus for the 40's is that as jepp2 mentioned is the ability to see ones own hits/misses using the 40's, using 50/53 gr I begin to loose that ability.

On a heavy 10+ pound 24" bull barrel do the 53s still cause you not to see shots or do you mean out of a lighter gun. Those heavy bull barrels don't seem to move much on shots.

mac86951 · Aug 8, 2022

alf said:
Drover, I totally agree with with you on the 40 grainers, as I settled on them for all my 223 loads, and my reamer has zero freebore to accommodate them. Typically 3750-3800 for velocities.

But i feel you short changed the 50-53 for velocities for a comparison. Nosler shows nothing less than 3220 for max velocity in a 24" barrel. I run 53 Vmax at 3200 in my 18" AR, 3400 in a 20" bolt gun for 52 Bergers.

View attachment 1360802

+1!

I was about to say the same
40gr from my 222 is hard to beat.

However, for comparison:

222 classic load was 3200fps with a 50gr from a 24"; hard to think 223 was only doing 3200.

Checked Hodgson online and sure enough, most 223 Remington starting loads are ~3200 for a 50gr from a 24"; and up past 3400fps.

I agree the 40gr will rock the world, but i think those 50s creep up there in performance by 300y.

-Mac

Speed kills - 40 gr vs 53 gr in a 223

drover

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Ackman

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Competitive shooter and reloader for 50 years+

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drover

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I prefer my targets level and unmoving

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