Author Topic: 223 Turkey Load (Read 1256 times)

Dillohide · « **on:** March 21, 2006, 12:00:38 PM »

Hi guys, new here.

All my turkey hunting is done during deer season while deer hunting (a Texas thing I guess). Which means a 165 gr 30-06 from the stand. At 70 yards or so that's a head shot but every now and then it's a 100 plus yards trying to take out it's rear end for minimal damage. On at least one occasion the bullet flew high and left half a turkey. Always wanted a little 223 to carry in the deer stand, now I got it ... H&R Special Edition 22" bull barrel 223.

I'm currently working with the 55 gr V-Max Hornady bullet but think I'll will need more controlled expansion during season so will probably switch to their 55 gr pointed soft point or the Speer 50 gr if the 55 won't stabilize in this 1-12 twist barrel. I use BL-C2 powder in my 24" barrel Model 36 Marlin 30-30 because she loves it so I'm starting with that. I've never loaded for a 223.

In my favorite load book, Hornady, I noticed they have the 55 gr bullet and BL-C2 max load at about 28.1 gr. I'm at work so don't quote me on this however it's above Hodgdon's recommended max load which is about 27.4 gr. Hornady is normally below the powder mfg max loads. I always drop off max in .3 gr increments down 5 or 6 loads then start with the lowest and work up till I find the most accurate for the punch so I'm not worried about it. Just wondered if anyone had noticed this in the new Hornady Manual and had actually tried that max load. I may work down from Hodgdon's max load just to be safe.

sbhooper · « **Reply #1 on:** March 22, 2006, 01:14:40 PM »

For turkeys, try taking a standard, cheap, spitzer and turning it aroud backwards. It is like shooting a wad cutter in a .38 and it can be very accurate. There will not be any expansion, so the damage will be minimal especially if it is a mild load. You may also consider a full metal jacket at a reduced velocity. Velocity is what does the damage more than the bullet.

Dillohide · « **Reply #2 on:** March 22, 2006, 07:44:12 PM »

The trouble with a FMJ is that they will skip and you don't know where. Besides can't use them at my rifle range. We hunt some wide open ranches with a lot of cattle, sheep and goats sharing pasture. Sure would hate for one of those to skip into a cow. I don't want to buy a cow, the lease cost enough!

My guess is the pointed soft point in either 50 or 55 grain will be the best choice. I've only shot 20 rounds through this 223 so far ... Remington 55 gr. About 1 1/2 inch group at 100 yrds first three shots then widened to about 2 1/2 inch groups as the barrel got dirty near the end of the box. I should be able to hit a turkey up to 200 yards with that but pretty sure I can handload it down to an inch or less plus the barrel is only going to get better the more I shoot, clean and polish it. It's a long time till November.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #3 on:** March 22, 2006, 08:06:03 PM »

OT, but don't know what your laws are there, but shooting livestock is grounds for loosing hunting privileges for 5yr to life here, paying for the loss of the cow would be the least of my worries. :cry: I know of a fella that shot a horse right out from under a cowboy rounding up range cattle in the area where we used to hunt, that fella lost his hunting rights for the rest of his life, but he's lucky he didn't kill the cowboy.....don't ask! :roll:

In '97 I found a dead black angus on this same range land, it had been shot. We contacted the Klickitat county sheriff, they went in and treated it like a crime scene, dunno if they caught the slob that did it, but they certainly tried, I certainly wouldn't have wanted to be in his boots.

Tim

EDIT: I just looked up the RCW for livestock shot while hunting, they've revised the code since I took the class, it's now 3yrs unless restitution isn't made, the state has to authorize hunting privileges to hunt again.

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=77.15.720

Qaz · « **Reply #4 on:** March 23, 2006, 02:17:13 AM »

I know what you are saying Quick. A guy I know shot a albino spiked buck, the problem was the farmer walked up behind them with a shot gun and told him he shot his $500 goat. That was back when you could get a good goat for $25. His buddy went and got the money and they were happy to be out of there. They didn't even get the goat.

Dillohide · « **Reply #5 on:** March 23, 2006, 04:35:58 AM »

Not sure what Texas law is on that ... think they used to hang you. Most hunting here is on private leases so if an accident happens you pay for the livestock and don't get invited back. I don't think it happens very often and I've never heard of it on any lease I've been on over the past 40 years.

Purposely shooting livestock is another story.