the right bullet for my .223

[tikka223]

i have a tikka lite stainless in .223 with a 1 in 12 twist and i am looking for one load and bullet to do everything from foxes,dogs,goats,pigs and possible fallow deer(well placed shot) and some bunnies every now and then . i was thinking the nosler partition 60g but dont know if it will stabilise or the 60g or 55g balistic tip or v-max.
what are your thoughts?
any info would be appreciated
cheers
tikka

[Brad Y]

hmm 60gr nosler might be the go, otherwise try the 55gr sierra gameking hollowpoint.

[Rick1970]

Found the Hornady 60gr HP and Sierra 55gr HP Gameking to be a bit better for the bigger stuff (goats/pigs)

[csg]

My Sako 75 223 Varmint 1:12 shoots the 60gr Nosler BT very well

[Curtley78]

G'day Tikka,

On light skinned mid sized game I used to run Hornady 55 grn V-max through my .223 (A mark II Ruger) with great success. I also would use the Hornady 60 grn V-max.

On the smaller stuff such as Rabbits, Cats and Dogs I would suggest Nosler 50 grn ballistic tips or Taipan 50 grn hollow points.

For a range load I would use Berger 50 grnrs and Sierra 52 grn Match Kings.

I would start off trialling these projectiles loading a grain under and checking for signs of pressure and heat. I would only be using ADI's Bench Mark 2.

But then again what works in one rifle will not work in another and I have found this with Anschutz's that have come off the same production line, basically it is to do with how the Steele was was cooled in the smelter and how it was later tempered in the factory.

It will be trial, error and frustration but always a learning experience.

[tikka223]

thanks guys going down to the lgs soon so i will get some nosler 60 bt's
cheers
tikka

[HiWall]

60gr Partition would be a better deer bullet mate, should be no problems in the 1:12 twist barrel, that is what Nosler used while developing loads in their reloading book. I say better deer bullet as it will hold together better than a Ballistic Tip. The biggest .224 Cal Nosler Ballistic Tip is 55gr, not 60gr (unless they have produced a new bullet which is not listed in their No6 (latest) book.

[Brad Y]

Yes nosler do make a 224 cal ballistic tip in 60gr and it has a cannulure. It does need a 1:10 twist though.

http://www.nosler.com/index.php?p=11&b=5&s=17&t=22cal" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Scroll down to it.

For deer, yes the partition or the 55gr gameking soft or hollow points would be the best 22 bullets on offer.

[HiWall]

Cool. Are they available in Aus yet? Will give some a run in my .22/250 Ackley 1:8, might be good for zapping little stuff.