texashuntingforum.com logo
Main Menu
Advertisement
Affiliates
Advertisement
Newest Members
TraeMartin, Beatixre, MooseSteed, Trappernewt, casyoo
71987 Registered Users
Top Posters(All Time)
dogcatcher 110,788
bill oxner 91,416
SnakeWrangler 65,416
stxranchman 60,296
Gravytrain 46,950
RKHarm24 44,585
rifleman 44,461
Stub 43,768
Forum Statistics
Forums46
Topics536,995
Posts9,719,273
Members86,987
Most Online25,604
Feb 12th, 2024
Print Thread
Favorite .223 #6554822 11/22/16 09:28 PM
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 441
S
shea.mcphail Offline OP
Bird Dog
OP Offline
Bird Dog
S
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 441
What is your favorite .223 ammunition (not hand loaded) for shooting deer and hogs? I've been using AE 55 grain for target, but not sure what is best for hunting.

The only rifle I have is an M&P 15, and I realize there are better calibers to use for hunting. Hopefully in a few years I'll purchase a .308 or 30-30.

Re: Favorite .223 [Re: shea.mcphail] #6554828 11/22/16 09:32 PM
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,481
R
redchevy Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
R
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,481
Federal premium 60 grain nosler partition, the be all end all of standard twist .223 hunting ammo.


It's hell eatin em live
Re: Favorite .223 [Re: redchevy] #6554831 11/22/16 09:34 PM
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,088
C
Creedmoor Offline
Pro Tracker
Offline
Pro Tracker
C
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,088
Originally Posted By: redchevy
Federal premium 60 grain nosler partition, the be all end all of standard twist .223 hunting ammo.


Good choice. Also Black Hills 60 VMax in certain situations.


.
There's a fine line between BRAVE ... and STUPID.

The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.
Re: Favorite .223 [Re: shea.mcphail] #6554963 11/22/16 11:35 PM
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 441
S
shea.mcphail Offline OP
Bird Dog
OP Offline
Bird Dog
S
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 441
Looks like I'm going to have to buy them online. None of the surrounding stores in my area carry them. I'm not very knowledgable on the topic, so what makes these, in your opinion, the best option for hunting?

Re: Favorite .223 [Re: shea.mcphail] #6554975 11/22/16 11:47 PM
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,165
S
scottfromdallas Online Content
THF Trophy Hunter
Online Content
THF Trophy Hunter
S
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,165
I would say 62 Federal Fusions are the best bang for the buck.

This new load from Hornady looks promising.

http://www.hornady.com/store/5.56-NATO-75-gr-Interlock-HD-SBR-Black/



Re: Favorite .223 [Re: scottfromdallas] #6554995 11/22/16 11:58 PM
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,088
C
Creedmoor Offline
Pro Tracker
Offline
Pro Tracker
C
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,088
Originally Posted By: scottfromdallas
I would say 62 Federal Fusions are the best bang for the buck.

This new load from Hornady looks promising.

http://www.hornady.com/store/5.56-NATO-75-gr-Interlock-HD-SBR-Black/



But will his gun stabilize a 75 grain bullet?

OP: What twist rate is your barrel? If memory serves, some of those rifles were 1:9 twist. If so, anything over 70 grains is going to be iffy.


.
There's a fine line between BRAVE ... and STUPID.

The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.
Re: Favorite .223 [Re: Creedmoor] #6555008 11/23/16 12:16 AM
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 441
S
shea.mcphail Offline OP
Bird Dog
OP Offline
Bird Dog
S
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 441
Originally Posted By: Creedmoor
Originally Posted By: scottfromdallas
I would say 62 Federal Fusions are the best bang for the buck.

This new load from Hornady looks promising.

http://www.hornady.com/store/5.56-NATO-75-gr-Interlock-HD-SBR-Black/



But will his gun stabilize a 75 grain bullet?

OP: What twist rate is your barrel? If memory serves, some of those rifles were 1:9 twist. If so, anything over 70 grains is going to be iffy.


Correct on the 1:9.

Re: Favorite .223 [Re: shea.mcphail] #6555015 11/23/16 12:24 AM
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,088
C
Creedmoor Offline
Pro Tracker
Offline
Pro Tracker
C
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,088
Originally Posted By: shea.mcphail
Originally Posted By: Creedmoor
Originally Posted By: scottfromdallas
I would say 62 Federal Fusions are the best bang for the buck.

This new load from Hornady looks promising.

http://www.hornady.com/store/5.56-NATO-75-gr-Interlock-HD-SBR-Black/



But will his gun stabilize a 75 grain bullet?

OP: What twist rate is your barrel? If memory serves, some of those rifles were 1:9 twist. If so, anything over 70 grains is going to be iffy.


Correct on the 1:9.


Just to be clear .....

Your rifle "may" shoot 75 grain bullets just fine. The only way to know for certain is to try it. I have 3 that are 1:8 and while they stabilized the 75s they were most accurate with 60 grain loads. There are no set rules unless you get ridiculous, just guidelines. I'd try several weight bullets and find out what your rifle likes. I'll take accuracy over velocity or bullet weight every time. An old man once told me ... "A fast bullet that misses is still a miss". Same holds true for heavy bullets.


.
There's a fine line between BRAVE ... and STUPID.

The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.
Re: Favorite .223 [Re: shea.mcphail] #6555158 11/23/16 02:06 AM
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,165
S
scottfromdallas Online Content
THF Trophy Hunter
Online Content
THF Trophy Hunter
S
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 5,165
Those 75 interlocks look like a semi-point. Probably not a long bullet. I doubt you would have any problems with a 1:9.



Re: Favorite .223 [Re: redchevy] #6555160 11/23/16 02:08 AM
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,083
J.G. Online Content
THF Celebrity
Online Content
THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,083
Originally Posted By: redchevy
Federal premium 60 grain nosler partition, the be all end all of standard twist .223 hunting ammo.


That's probably a safe bet.


[Linked Image]
800 Yard Steel Range
Precision Rifle Instruction
Memberships and Classes Available
Re: Favorite .223 [Re: shea.mcphail] #6555197 11/23/16 02:47 AM
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 15,606
6
603Country Online Content
THF Celebrity
Online Content
THF Celebrity
6
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 15,606
A year or two ago I had a hog (smallish to medium) in the front yard. I had a handload with that 60 gr Partition. Shot the hog in the left rear cheek and it exited in front of the right shoulder. Went the full length of the pig. Impressive.


Not my monkeys, not my circus...
Re: Favorite .223 [Re: shea.mcphail] #6555226 11/23/16 03:09 AM
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 441
S
shea.mcphail Offline OP
Bird Dog
OP Offline
Bird Dog
S
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 441
Yup, I'm definitely going with the 60 gr that you guys have recommended. Thanks!

Re: Favorite .223 [Re: scottfromdallas] #6586525 12/14/16 04:55 PM
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,406
R
rickt300 Offline
Veteran Tracker
Offline
Veteran Tracker
R
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,406
Originally Posted By: scottfromdallas
I would say 62 Federal Fusions are the best bang for the buck.

This new load from Hornady looks promising.

http://www.hornady.com/store/5.56-NATO-75-gr-Interlock-HD-SBR-Black/





I would like to get some of those bullets to load myself!

Re: Favorite .223 [Re: shea.mcphail] #6586806 12/14/16 08:40 PM
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,442
A
aggiehunter03 Online Content
Veteran Tracker
Online Content
Veteran Tracker
A
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,442
I have a 1:8 Rock River. I called Sierra and they said it would stabilize the 80 grainers but they wouldn't fit the mag without modifications and then it was questionable. So they told me anything 77 and less would be good. He recommended the 65 GameKings for deer and pigs and that is what I bought. Haven't done any load development with them yet but did load one group and it shot 3/4" so I'm confident they will work well. The 55s work too but I wanted more hammer. Your 1:9 should do good with the 65s and you can always call Sierra. They are very helpful.

https://www.sierrabullets.com/store/product.cfm/sn/1395/224-dia-65-gr-SBT

Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread

© 2004-2024 OUTDOOR SITES NETWORK all rights reserved USA and Worldwide
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.3