.223 for Roe deer.

[Sako308]

Tested 4 different .223 factory loads the other day, in order the rifle preferred (5 shots @ 120yds):

Winchester Ballistic Silvertip 55gr - 0.5” group
Federal Powershok 55gr - 1” group
Sako Gamehead 55gr - 2”+ group
Hornaday Superformance GMX 55gr - all over the place

The rifle is a CZ 527 and the barrel was allowed to cool between shots. For use on Roe deer (in Scotland) wanted to know what people are using and how effective they have found them to be. Obviously the rifle likes the Winchesters but concerned about this bullet on Roe. The Gameheads are the only one advertised as being suitable for deer.

 

[Coddy]

I tried Sako Gameheads 55gr on my X Bolt, but it wouldn't shoot them. Work well on other's guns.
Currently using Norma Professional V-Max 50gr and shooting these well.

 

[User00033]

I have been using Nosler Bonded Solid Base on fallow and red spikers with great success in my .223.

https://www.nosler.com/bonded-solid-base-bullet/

I run them at 3150fps and place them in the front of the shoulder producing instant collapse in most cases.

Very accurate wee bullets, no problems getting them to group well under an inch at 100yds from my T3 Super Varmint. Load development was easy just a minor alteration from my 55 grain bullet recipe.

I use these in situations where I am shooting on the margins of the cleared country, in amongst the scrub, The almost complete lack of recoil means I can stay on the point of aim and watch exactly what happens.

 

[User00033]

I should add that in every instance penetration has been very good to the point of punching through the offside shoulder and leave in a neat ~1.5 - 2” exit.

 

[Sako308]

Those look ideal, wasn’t planning to home load for the .223 to try and keep things simple (already load two other calibers).

 

[User00033]

Not sure if you can get these in the UK, I’m sure the name doesn’t help...

https://www.nosler.com/defense-rifle-ammunition/

 

[Sako308]

I tried Sako Gameheads 55gr on my X Bolt, but it wouldn't shoot them. Work well on other's guns.
Currently using Norma Professional V-Max 50gr and shooting these well.

What’s the damage like with the V-Max?

 

[takbok]

I know of a guy who's happily used 50gr Nosler Ballistic tips out of a .223 for roe, and also 55gr BT's with a 22-250. I'd give the silvertips a try and see how they work.

Another guy uses 55gr Vmax in his 22-250 and says they work fine.

 

[Sako308]

Not sure if you can get these in the UK, I’m sure the name doesn’t help...

https://www.nosler.com/defense-rifle-ammunition/

We get bugger all in the UK, can get those heads though.

 

[User00033]

I'd be unhappy if any of my mates pitched up with varmint bullets for use on deer. Even when head shooting its not really on IMO. There's no need really, there's lots of better options.

 

[Sako308]

Agree with you, unfortunately the better options aren’t readily available in the UK. It’s a small market as .223 only legal for Roe deer in Scotland.

 

[NigelM]

Looks like the 64 grain Nosler is the ideal combination for Muntjac, Roe and Fallow. Just a shame it's illegal for 2 of the 3 south of the border. Crazy that my 22BR shooting them at 3400fps with 1650 ftlb of energy is banned for the task in England.

 

[cjs66]

I found the Sako 55gr Gameheads very good in my 22/250 on Roe, very accurate and very good at putting them straight down. I tried Norma 52gr soft points when the Sako where out of stock once and I've never gone back.

I know you're asking about 223 but, there's not that much difference in them..

cjs

 

[Edinburgh Rifles]

.223 is overkill
Should have bought a .222 ..........

Seriously though.

A decent cup and core soft point is much more effective for the full range of shots that you will be presented with.
Anything too frangible in a light .224 bullet will leave you with massive bruising and/or lack of penetration when you need to test it on a double shoulder shot or tricky quartering animal.

I have used .222 on roe for a while now and settled on 60gr Hornady SP
Factory loads did not produce the accuracy in my rifles that I have seen then reproduce in client rifles

Sako Gamehead is a great bullet but it needs to be accurate in your rifle
Try dropping to 50gr, you may find groups shrink considerably

I am not convinced Silvertip will perform in all circumstances and have found them fairly destructive in other calibres

GMX in 55gr are often too long for long twist rate .224 barrels
The boat tail and ballistic tip are too much

your rifle could be a 1:9" or it could be 1:12"

Drop me a line if you want to try a test pack of ammo in different weights and bullet constructions

 

[Malxwal]

I had a Sako 75 1 in 8 twist stainless laminate .223. Every roe I shot out to 170m with (I think) 55gr Sako Gamehead, took no more than a couple of steps. Why oh why did I sell it ?

 

[User00033]

For what it is worth my .223 is a 1 in 12” twist and stabilise is those 64 grain Nosler just fine because they are so short for their weight. In my opinion there is no better pill for the application, i’ve used pretty much everything else mentioned at some point and these are hands down the best I have come across in over 30 years of shooting .223. Excellent penetration, reliable expansion, not frangible, wide for calibre wounding, capable of going through two shoulders, accurate.

 

[Sako308]

.223 is overkill
Should have bought a .222 ..........

Seriously though.

A decent cup and core soft point is much more effective for the full range of shots that you will be presented with.
Anything too frangible in a light .224 bullet will leave you with massive bruising and/or lack of penetration when you need to test it on a double shoulder shot or tricky quartering animal.

I have used .222 on roe for a while now and settled on 60gr Hornady SP
Factory loads did not produce the accuracy in my rifles that I have seen then reproduce in client rifles

Sako Gamehead is a great bullet but it needs to be accurate in your rifle
Try dropping to 50gr, you may find groups shrink considerably

I am not convinced Silvertip will perform in all circumstances and have found them fairly destructive in other calibres

GMX in 55gr are often too long for long twist rate .224 barrels
The boat tail and ballistic tip are too much

your rifle could be a 1:9" or it could be 1:12"

Drop me a line if you want to try a test pack of ammo in different weights and bullet constructions

Mine’s a 1:9”, appreciate your offer, working on getting hold of some Federal Fusion 62gr which would be just the ticket (if the rifle likes it), might be in touch though.

 

[Andy RV]

.223 is overkill
Should have bought a .222 ..........

Seriously though.

A decent cup and core soft point is much more effective for the full range of shots that you will be presented with.
Anything too frangible in a light .224 bullet will leave you with massive bruising and/or lack of penetration when you need to test it on a double shoulder shot or tricky quartering animal.

I have used .222 on roe for a while now and settled on 60gr Hornady SP
Factory loads did not produce the accuracy in my rifles that I have seen then reproduce in client rifles

Sako Gamehead is a great bullet but it needs to be accurate in your rifle
Try dropping to 50gr, you may find groups shrink considerably

I am not convinced Silvertip will perform in all circumstances and have found them fairly destructive in other calibres

GMX in 55gr are often too long for long twist rate .224 barrels
The boat tail and ballistic tip are too much

your rifle could be a 1:9" or it could be 1:12"

Drop me a line if you want to try a test pack of ammo in different weights and bullet constructions

Are you using the hornady 60gr SP in your .222? And if so what twist rate?

 

[NigelM]

I'm using a 69 grain Sierra TMK in my 22BR for Foxes and it stabilises well with a 9 twist.

 

[Southern]

Winchester 223 64 grain Power Point ammunition is made for deer, coyotes, etc. Used by game wardens in my neck of the woods.

Black Hills Ammunition 223 Remington 62 Grain Barnes Triple-Shock X is rated well by those who use it.
But why not just shoot a 55-gr Barnes or other monometal bullet?

Loading the Sierra 65-gr SPBT GameKing #1395 over 24.0 of Ramshot TAC at 2,900 fps from my 1:9 twist Bushmaster 20-inch XM-15 E2S.
25.0 gr of IMR-4064 or Varget is good, too.
Velocity is 2,750 from a 16-inch S&W carbine with 1:9 twist.
All of them group under 3/4 inch.
You can bump them up a grain in a bolt action, but these work well enough.