What weight bullet for a .223?

[cattleskinner]

The past few years, I have been using a .223 Handi rifle, and have been limited to 60gr. bullets or less.  I settled on a 50gr. Vmax, over an almost max load of Varget.  Honestly, I didn't have any trouble with that load on groundhogs out to 300yds...it was a shoot/groundhog slumps over affair.  No run offs like I occasionally had with 52gr match hp bullets.  Where my question comes in is because I got rid of the handi rifle for a Savage mod. 10fp in .223.  Now I can utilize the heavy stuff.  While working up loads for it, I tried a 70gr speer soft point, and it knocks the bejeesus out of chunks of firewood alot better than the lighter 50gr vmax's.  My question is, have you guys tried the heavy stuff (i.e. 60gr+ vmax bullets) out of a .22 centerfire on groundhogs, coyotes?  From everything I've read about, the larger bullets retain energy/buck wind better at long ranges. If you have used them, how did it expand, shoot, and generally work for you on these varmints?  Just trying to get an idea of the terminal effects before laying the money down for a box.  Thanks.

~~~Amos

[kyote]

myself,I have never shot anything heavier then 55grain bullets out of my .22 centerfires at critters.and most my .22 centerfire twist rates will not really allow the heavies to be shot with the accuaracy that I would want.

[onecoyote]

Cattleskinner, I shoot a 223 WSSM nowadays. Been using the 64 gr bullet and it knocks there socks off. I didn't have a coyote move after being shot with that bullet. It didn't mess up the pelts either, not that it matter to me anyways.........Good Hunting

[oso45-70]

Cattleskinner, I shoot a 223 WSSM nowadays. Been using the 64 gr bullet and it knocks there socks off. I didn't have a coyote move after being shot with that bullet. It didn't mess up the pelts either, not that it matter to me anyways.........Good Hunting

Onecoyote  I just traded for a Winchester in 223 wssm and am not getting the accuracy that i think i should. Been using 55 gr. bullets in it and not sure what the twist is but will find out later today. Might go to a heavier bullet and get better groups if the twist is tight enough. Sad thing is i don't know how much it has been shot. The old boy that i got it from may shot lots af smoking loads through it. I would like to get it up and running before next season, If not its back to the old stand by my 22-250
i know where it has been and what it shoots like. I hate to shoot my 222 mag to much for fear of putting a ding on it HA HA.( Question ) What gun do you have that shoots 223 wssm ? Thats all folks .....Joe.......

[onecoyote]

Win Mod. 70 stealth. I'am not real happy with the way it shoots either, but it's good enough for coyote hunting.

[cattleskinner]

Onecoyote,

Are those 64gr bullets that you use, Win. Power points?  The reason I ask is because I picked up a bag of a hundred to try out, and since they work for you, it might be worth a shot on a hog or two.  

~~~Amos

[varmit_master]

I like a 50 or 55gr bullet. VM

[oso45-70]

Win Mod. 70 stealth. I'am not real happy with the way it shoots either, but it's good enough for coyote hunting.

Onecoyote

The trigger on this i have is about the sorriest thing i have ever owned. I had one heck of a time getting it down to 3 1/2 lbs. Normally Winchester and Remington were the two factory over the counter guns that were easy to adjust and maintain, But todays standards are lacking sorely.

Guess you heard...Varmit_Master has had Knee surgery. May have to go back to Ark. and get him so he can see how we do it in New Mexico. Feed him some Jalapenos and Beans and get him back in shape.

Just joking VM. See you all later ..........Joe............

[onecoyote]

Cattleskinner, I've been using the factory loads what ever they are.

Oso45-70, I use to get my Rem triggers way down under a pound. This Stealth is 2 1/2 or 3 lbs it sucks.
I'm not going to go spend the money on an after market trigger for it, as long as the coyotes keep dying I'll just suffer.  :wink:

I wish Varmint-Master the best, them varmint and predator hunters are a tough bunch, he'll be out and about real soon I'm sure.

[lovedogs]

I've not been without a .222 since the late '60's and have had scores of both .222 & .223's.  Did predator control on National Wildlife Refuges for about 14 yrs. and have been calling coyotes and shooting prairie dogs for 37 yrs. and I've liked the Speer 52 gr. HP better than all others.  Usually if a .22 centerfire won't shoot them it won't shoot anything.  My second choice for the mid-range .22's is the Hornady 50 gr. SX.  In the larger .22's the heavier bullets work well.  The 55 gr. in .22-.250's and Swifts are best.  Haven't tried the newer .223 WSSM but would guess it, too, would do well with the 55 gr.

[onecoyote]

lovedogs, I killed a few coyotes this year with the 223WSSM using the 64 gr bullet. That bullet worked as good as a bullet can on the coyotes I killed.  You started hunting critters in 1969? We have a few others in this forum that are also old timers :wink: ...Good hunting

[oso45-70]

I've not been without a .222 since the late '60's and have had scores of both .222 & .223's.  Did predator control on National Wildlife Refuges for about 14 yrs. and have been calling coyotes and shooting prairie dogs for 37 yrs. and I've liked the Speer 52 gr. HP better than all others.  Usually if a .22 centerfire won't shoot them it won't shoot anything.  My second choice for the mid-range .22's is the Hornady 50 gr. SX.  In the larger .22's the heavier bullets work well.  The 55 gr. in .22-.250's and Swifts are best.  Haven't tried the newer .223 WSSM but would guess it, too, would do well with the 55 gr.

Lovedogs........I see you made it down here with us old coots. Welcome to the best forum here. I have had my little Sako actioned Marlin since 1954, It has the micro grove barrel so it will not handle the heavier bullets, I once tried some 68 gr match kings and all they did was key hole but the 50 & 55 grainers do great. Done quite a bit of trapping and hunting when i lived in the country, In fact i made my living doing it. Good to see you made it down here, I think you will enjoy your self here. there are some nice guys that hang out here See ya.........Joe.........

[lovedogs]

Gee, fellas!  I didn't feel old until I got on this forum.  But I guess it's true.  I just turned 58 and thought I was doing pretty good.  Last summer I attended my 40th high school class reunion and thought I was looking pretty good compared to some of my old-looking classmates.  I can still go out and walk all day with a rifle and pack on my back... I feel fortunate.  Didn't mean to get off subject but couldn't resist saying something about being "old".  It's nice to be old.  Much better than the alternative.

[kyote]

ar har har har..I see we have another cordite user on board..welcome to the club..lovedog I have heard a lotta folks liking those bullets.sx and speer hollow point 52gr.and I have tried them with out any luck.when I was shooting the sx bullets I saw like flashes of gliiter in front of the rifle when I shot.most bullets never made it to the target.blew up in flight.so I gave up on them. was told my barrel was to tight and I was pushing them hard.the 53gr triple shocks from barnes have been proving them selves to excellent bullets for shooting coyotes.

[lovedogs]

Hey, Kyote!  You didn't mention what caliber you had the bullet troubles in.  I've never heard of a bbl. being too tight.  Too rough or shooting them too fast, yes.  The warning in the boxes of SX's tell us not to push them too fast.  Even then if you have a real smooth bbl. they'll hold together.  For the faster cartridges one should just go to the regular bullet of the same weight.

If a rifle won't shoot the Speer 52 HP I'd be real surprised but I suppose it's possible.  We always have to shoot what works.  What works for one may not work for another.  There are generalizations but there also are exceptions.

[kyote]

my friend and I were trying the sxs out to see how hard we could push em to take to a PD town.and My Bud told me (he is older then all of us and is a gun guru)that if you can push them pass the published velocitys they tell you not to exceed.they are hell on the pds when you hit em.His rifles seem to shoot them well.my 22-250s and .220swift ackley did not shoot them well.my 222 rem likes them but I found the 40gr blitz kings to be better in that rifle.my h&k 630 with its polygonal barrel doe not like them.and that barrel is tight.I can not get a patch down it that I can use on any of my other .22 calibers.I have to cut smaller ones for her.I have not tried them im my .222remingtom magnum as I got a good deal on some hornady V-maxs and loaded a bunch up. my .223 ackley shoots the 55 gr hp sierras great and I use moly in her.so have not tried them there.but I will when the ammo is ready to be reloaded.it will be fun to work up another load.

[lovedogs]

Kyote,  Sounds like you're having a good time.  Keep it up.  I've always thought outdoor stuff keeps us young and out of trouble.