.223 Rem General Hunting Round

[scrumbag]

Hello folks,

Am looking at getting a .223 Rem bolt action mainly for using the inexpensive FMJ the club gets.

But, I would like the option of having a "general-purpose" (cringe) hunting round that would be adequate for foxes and small deer (CWD / Munties / Scottish Roe).

The rifle will have a 1:9 twist so heavier bullets shouldn't be a problem.

Please let me know your thoughts on factory rounds and also for handloading.

Thanks in advance,

Scrummy

 

[Wingy]

I'm using Hornaday 55grain ballistic tips in my Sako 75 stainless / laminate. Never tried anything else as these have never been a problem. Accurate and nothing has ever walked away. Fox & roe
Wingy

 

[finnbear270]

Nosler Shotz, (55 grain soft nose).

 

[Nod-1]

Hello folks,

Am looking at getting a .223 Rem bolt action mainly for using the inexpensive FMJ the club gets.

But, I would like the option of having a "general-purpose" (cringe) hunting round that would be adequate for foxes and small deer (CWD / Munties / Scottish Roe).

The rifle will have a 1:9 twist so heavier bullets shouldn't be a problem.

Please let me know your thoughts on factory rounds and also for handloading.

Thanks in advance,

Scrummy

I prefer 55 gr soft point Sako Gameheads in my Sako 85 and they group great one round does it all.

 

[Milligan]

I've not used factory but for handloads I do the following flavours.
2 bullets I've used to good effect are 63gr SMP (flatbase) and 65gr Gameking (boat tail) from Sierra, both loaded over N140 and both roughly the same load as the 69gr SMK paper puncher.

For deer it's got to be the 65gr Gameking, less frangible than the SMP and accurate as an accurate thing.

 

[Kalahari]

Isn't the Swiss FMJ a pretty hot round? Also what bullet weight does it arrive with?

David.

 

[k123 aberdeen]

hi im curently shooting with 223rem using 53g norma soft points the riflle is howa 1500 1;12 twist i also used 55 g rem soft point shot lots of roe and foxes with it with good results.

 

[tackb]

My 1-9 remmy loved the hornady 60g tap ammo

 

[scrumbag]

The Swiss GP90 or 5.6x45 Swiss is actually very close to NATO spec 5.56x45. It shoots a 63gr FMJ and is quite hot and well made as the Swiss Army qualification distance is 300m. Am just praying I can find something that will shoot to the same POI...

ATB,

Scrummy

 

[scrumbag]

Hello folks, any thoughts on the 55gr Norma Oryx?

Easier to get here than some of the suggestions above (not that I have any issues with the rounds, just what is locally available).

Anyone use anything from RWS?

 

[cambsman]

Not an expert but seems that .223 shoots most things well. Mine is not too choosy. Anything in the 50 to 55 range will be fine, especially if you develop your own rounds.

 

[scrumbag]

Thanks Cambsman.

Anyone used the Federal 62gr and 64grs?

Liking the idea of a heavier bullet.

ATB,

Scrummy

 

[Rake Aboot]

55gr Sako gameheads

I use these in my .222 as well and they have been superb.

 

[long_range_rob]

Good success and accuracy with 62gn Vmax and Varget, also with 73gn Bergers and Varget

 

[Malxwal]

Been using 55gr Sako soft points and 55gr Winchester soft points, both do a reasonable group out of my 1 in 8, but I must try and get the local dealers to order in some heavier stuff to take advantage of the fast twist.
Seems no one likes to stock anything heavier than 55gr.

 

[scrumbag]

Been using 55gr Sako soft points and 55gr Winchester soft points, both do a reasonable group out of my 1 in 8, but I must try and get the local dealers to order in some heavier stuff to take advantage of the fast twist.
Seems no one likes to stock anything heavier than 55gr.

Thanks Malxwal, yes I know what you mean about nothing more than 55gr in hunting ammo.

I think it is because a lot of a lot of the US manufacturers barrel their .223 Rem bolt actions with 1:12 as per SAMMI. A lot of the AR's have a standard twist of 1:8 which I think is the military standard.

So, basically I blame too many people buying 1:12 Remy 700s...

ATB,

Scrummy

 

[Kalahari]

Just blame too many people buying Remington 700s!!!

David.

 

[Malxwal]

When I bought this rifle I got all the load workings and targets for pretty much all of the 500 odd rounds put through the rifle. Strangely, although the gent (and he indeed is one) had specifically purchased a 1 in 8 twist rifle, he had only ever used 55gr bullets. I don't home load, so I have used what's available to gauge what the rifle likes, so far okay, but there's room for improvement, which may come in the form of a heavier bullet.

 

[duke5339]

+1 sako game heads or 63grain Sierra smp

 

[black lab]

So, basically I blame too many people buying 1:12 Remy 700s...??????????????????????????????

Brilliant 1.12
40gr to 60gr
Had to get my pennies worth in.
I blame to many people buying 1.8