.223 for Roe deer.

[User00033]

1894’s post above is a very sensible one.

With hindsight I think I am wrong to suggest the Nosler 64gr bonded solid base bullet on page 1. It’s probably too tough for roe. Sorry about that. If you collect the shoulder bone on the way in you will be ok, but if you miss the shoulder and enter / exit just through ribs, it might not do the job. Thinking through the game weights I use the Nosler on, the roe is probably too small. I think 1894 has nailed it.

 

[Odders]

How about the 55gr Sierra GameKing #1365? It has a thicker jacket than their varmint bullets.
If you have 1:10 or faster rifling, the 65gr #1395 should be more than enough bullet to do the job.

 

[Heym SR20]

Give the Fox Bullets a try. In other calibres there is very good expansion along with deep penetration, so good wound channel and hole on both sides. I know Ed (Edinburgh Rifles) is looking for volunteers to trial the loaded ammo.

 

[251120]

One more for the Sierra 1365 Gameking 55gn. excellent bullet.

 

[Doric]

I would not advise Vmax for deer unless you head shoot them, they are not designed to be used on animals destined for the larder. I once had a chap out and put him on to two bucks which he took out with 55 grn Vmax we got the fillets from one the rest was only good for fox bait.

 

[ChesterP]

I've not shot Roe with the 223 but for Munty I occasionally take the 223 and use 55gr Sierra Game King SPBTs. Half moa from a CZ527 (LW barrel) and a reasonably zippy load at 3150 fps. Effective when neck/forward of shoulder shots are taken and drops everything hit instantly. I don't use them past 100 yards and am pretty conservative as I want a hammer blow, not the risk of a runner, so only chest shoot any beasty if I use the 308. I've tried TMKs (69 and 77 gr) BUT be aware that the ballistic tips on these are much larger in diameter than for say Vmax and this makes them VERY explosive under 100 yards. I've hit a few vermin species with these, from corvids to squirrels on the ground and in every case under 100 yards it's resulted in an explosive result. They may be suitable for deer at longer ranges where the velocity has dropped off sufficiently to prevent this explosive fragmentation but I can say with some certainty that unless neck shooting deer inside of 100 yards, avoid using TMKs at all costs. You may not get good penetration and it'll be very messy. Accurate? Yes. Apropriate close in? Nope, no way. Use something else....SST or SGK, anything but TMKs.....all imho of course as I have not risked them on deer for this reason based on the results with other animals. TMKs are a fabulous varmint bullet though.

 

[Wulliewinky]

.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

Hi I know this is years old but have you any info on the 50gr gmx in a 1/14 tika t3 22-250 , any good or not worth the bother ?

 

[Edinburgh Rifles]

Hi I know this is years old but have you any info on the 50gr gmx in a 1/14 tika t3 22-250 , any good or not worth the bother ?

too long am afraid

 

[Wulliewinky]

too long am afraid

Would that be for all non toxic brands or just the gmx ?

 

[Edinburgh Rifles]

Just anything 50gr and over with boat tail and ballistic tip
So most of them
Only one I am aware of is the Fox classic hunter without the ballistic tip
It’s flat base and hollow point
Works in a 1:14”

 

[Wulliewinky]

Just anything 50gr and over with boat tail and ballistic tip
So most of them
Only one I am aware of is the Fox classic hunter without the ballistic tip
It’s flat base and hollow point
Works in a 1:14”

Cheers mate , saves wasting a lot of money , iv just loaded 120 gmx in my creedmoor but ain’t shot anything yet so dependent on what happens I might try the fox or Barnes 100 gr