Your most versatile round from 223 parent case and why?

[Oso]

I think i am with you on this question. I would love to find something to make from my vast supply of 223 brass that has some sex appeal. I don't know how close it is to the Wilson 7.62 X40, but someone on this board a few years ago showed a cartridge that he had made a rifle for that was a 223 case that was necked up to a 30 caliber bullet. Not a cut down case like a 300 whisper or a 300 BO.

You might be thinking of the 7.62x40WT or 300HAM'R - both offered by Wilson Combat

All .30cal cartridges based on 223 parent case require some reduction in the case length. Wilson Combat commercialized the 7.62x40WT cartridge. More recently, Wilson Combat made improvements to the cartridge, and rolled out the 300HAM'R. The case length on the 300HAM'R is 1/4" longer than a 300BO. To form 300HAM'R cases you are only cutting off the case neck on a 223 donor case.

300 HAM'R is designed solely for supersonic shooting so no compromise in case length to fit a +200gr bullet. Shooting the same weight bullets, the 300HAM'R is basically +300fps faster than a 300BO, and for same bullet weight the 300HAM'R is as fast or faster than a 6.5 Grendel. After 300 yards the higher BC of the 6.5 Grendel starts paying off. Just like for the 300BO there are no special considerations in an AR15.... same BCG and Mags that you use for .2223/5.56.

After scoffing and calling it marketing BS, I finally read the 300HAM'R thread (+90 pages of posts) and drank some of the Koolaid. Its a solid 300 yard hunting cartridge that is cheap and easy to reload.

https://texashuntingforum.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/7506626/30

 

[SecondsCount]

223 AI - after the ACCURATE fireforming of the brass, load and go find the load for the barrel.

Prepping brass is completed after the fireform, trim, and load. Very little growth with the Ackley shoulder.

I am a big 223 fan and I have a 223AI that I enjoy shooting. You wouldn't think that that 150FPS is a lot more speed until you start shooting beyond 800 yards.

 

[miningshawn]

Interesting thread!

I am going to stick with the 223AI, especially considering the lack of components. A 223AI with 77gr bullets is very easy to load for, has a brass life of forever, and is very easy to tune.
Also considering that in a pinch it still uses 223 standard, and the right fireforming loads are just as accurate if a little slower.
I can always find a suitable 223 77grain bullet - I prefer the Bergers but have had excellent results with Sierra and Hornady as well. It isn't to picky about powder either. I have used Varget, CFE223, RL15, and VV 140 and developed some fine groups.

 

[mike.e]

6.5TCU, Had a bolt action M700SA for years and shot thousands thru it,
Just plain works from near all the way to 800m, past that accuracy seems to suffer a bit.
Only use 130gn RDF and 8208XBR or 123gn SST and 8208XBR

 

[ebb]

OSO now that you have mentioned reduced length, you have jogged my memory. This was a wildcat that was total length but chambered in a bolt rifle where a magazine didn't restrict the OAL. I have a lower that needs to become something different I just don't know what. If the components were still available, it would be a Remington 30 AR.

 

[scarson72]

I really like 300BLK supers (110gr). I'm in Commiefornia, so no experience with 300BLK subs, but I like the versatility option. I've been fiddling around with a 277 Wolverine upper that shoots very well also.

 

[Oso]

I really like 300BLK supers (110gr). I'm in Commiefornia, so no experience with 300BLK subs, but I like the versatility option. I've been fiddling around with a 277 Wolverine upper that shoots very well also.

I like the 300BO, especially with 110gr SuperSonics. I have a 18” bolt rifle chambered in 300BO that allows me to load closer to 2.35” COAL. The result is that my loads for this rifle are closer to 300HAM’R velocity. For these smaller cartridges I prefer velocity over heavier bullet weight. The advantage of 300HAM’R is don’t have to load long… fits within 2.26” mag length and delivers additional 300-400 fps

Forming cases from 223 is very similar for both 277 Wolverine and 300HAM’R. The main difference compared to 300BO is that for both of these two cartridges you need to flare/expand the shoulder of the 223 donor brass in order to form the neck on new case. The ease of case forming 300BO is that there is no flaring/expanding, because it uses the case body of the 223 donor brass to form neck on new case.

 

[Tesoro]

My 20p out of an AR 4 shots at 100. Pacnor match bbl WOA. I chickened out on the 5th shot! If I could find a smith who isnt backed up a year I would have a bunch of neat 223 wildcats in a switch barrel rifle. A little a1 sako would be great to do that with.

 

[Kylongrifle32]

The 6mm TCU has my nod. But only as a target and varmint getter with the 65gr VMAX. Haven't tried any heavier bullet to move up to deer size game.

 

[rockhound78]

The full length 223 necked up to 30 Cal. was called the 30 Apache. I like the 223AI and have the 6x45, 25x45 and did have a 6.5 TCU. Then the 7mm tcu and finally the 30 Apache. My first choice is the 223AI followed by the 30 Apache

 

[Ray123]

I Vote for the standard 5.56 round as the most versatile...it will do everything the others will do, maybe less efficiently in some applications, but it will accomplish the task, plus the military application of armor piercing, tracers, and cheap ammo you can find anywhere, even on the ground at the local plinking spot there is always a loaded 5.56 round or two laying around on the ground someone dropped. Easy to find ammo a big plus in scarce times.

 

[Acronin243]

I dont know if it's Ben mentioned but I love my 6mm Mongoose. It's a "creedmoored" .223 opened up to 6mm.

I have a 6TCU and this had the same powder capacity. But the best part of this is that it allows a shooter to seat longer bullets further out and still fit in .223 mags.

I'm running a 24" barrel on my AR and getting 3500fps with 55gr Blitzkings and 2800 with 87gr vmaxes.

It's within 150fps of the 6mm ARC.

 

[Steel Mover]

I have not had too many cats based on the 222, 222 Mag, 223 case, Just off hand, the 222R, 6x47, 6 TCU, 6 Mongoose, 7 TCU.

*The 222R is a cartridge invented by the Aussies for use in rebarreled Cadet Martini Action with a bushed firing pin, uses 222 dies and a 38 Spl shell holder, straight 222 loads, very accurate little Martini. Bass is available in Australia.

*The 6x47 is a necked up 222Mag, very accurate, barrel and brass lasts a long time. Dies are not difficult to come by. Almost any bullet or powder shoots in it.

*The 6 TCU (Thopson Center Ugalde) is a necked up 40 degree shoulder 223 case. Dies may be a bit sporty price wise, today, but one of the very best TCU cartridges. The dies can be used to shape the 6 Mongoose for fire-forming.

*6mm Mongoose, a 6 TCU with a .050 shortened neck and the body blown out to give 32 grains of water capacity. The idea is to launch heavier, up to 115 grain 6mm bullets from an AR-15 magazine. Dies are available from Redding. Requires a bit of trimming and fire forming.

*The 7 TCU, in an XP-100 handgun is one of the most accurate cast bullet shootes in competition. One pass, fire form then trim, done. When shooting long distance, rifle targets out to 500 with a handgun, the 7 TCU gives nothing away. Dies were available. My LD guns have 4 oz Taylor triggers, I used them in cast competition also.

I think these phots are labeled, the left is the 222R

 

[Ackman]

Just looking to hear everyone’s experiences, what your favorite and most versatile round that you have made from a 223 parent case? Could be anything with any weight bullets, I just want to know what everyone’s favorite wildcats or standards are out of a 223 case and why?

The most versatile round for a .223 case is a std. 223. Jas a very large acccuracy window. With a 14 twist it'll shoot about any 40-55gr bullet using a wide range of powders and do it remarkably well. For more oomph, do a .223AI.....same thing only faster/better.

 

[Ray123]

The 223 or 5.56....cause the 222 Rem came first. Then the 222 Rem Mag experiment...then the military adopted the 223/ 5.56. The 5.56 with all it's faults still gets it done. It's the jack of all trades, that can fit most needs moderately well.
What other cartridge can you step out of your truck on a remote gravel road and find a live 5.56 round on the ground, as I did 2 days ago, free for just picking it up...very lmportant to have ammo in survival times , and that NATO chamber will shoot just about anything you find. AR-15 5.56 extremely versatile. Self defense, survival, to hunting most every big game animal in the northern hemisphere. Alaska natives used the 222 to take polar bear...techniques, determination, and 5.56 = survival.

 

[Shuz]

So many cartridges based on that case, opinions abound. I’ve always held the 222 as my sentimental favorite. I see the 6x45 getting mentioned which is cool since I have one being built right with Old Dominion rifles. The 223AI is probably my favorite based on the 223 case for getting the job done, at least out of the cartridges I’ve had. The 22-204 seems to be the latest and greatest, lots of threads on it here by guys with lots of experience and I only see very positive comments. All the 20 caliber options just muddies the water, more fun!

 

[Shuz]

My favorite wildcat based on the .223 case is the 7mm TCU. For a long time it was, and maybe still is, the winningest cartridge used in IHMSA Production class shooting. It is very accurate and with bullets as light as 145g, can still take down rams at 200 meters. It is also a good deer hunting cartridge. I have taken several Whitetails with this cartridge and 145g Speer FB bullets and H-322 powder.