Current state of play with 223 projectiles

Brad Y · Post by **Brad Y** » Wed Dec 04, 2019 11:11 pm

Been out of the feral bashing world for a bit, and nearly out of my last batch of ammo that I loaded a while back. Before I go and spring for more projies, wondering what most are running? I’ve got temptations to screw on a new 12 or 14 twist tube in the near future so there’s chance to run 40’s as fast as I can. The current 8 twist is running 55 Sierra roos at 3400 but I’m also interested in the new varmageddon 53’s as they do a heap better in wind drift in a mates rifle (proven enough for my liking while shooting gongs at 300). Quietly wondering if I can get them to 3500 with the right powder... the old standby 50gr noslers have always done well too...

I’m rather fond of seeing things fall over or splat and very tempted to put a brake on the new tube as well to help spot the hits and misses. It’s borderline with the current loads and would like to improve that. Noise is of no concern as I’m always wearing hearing protection.

What do you all think

trevort · Post by **trevort** » Thu Dec 05, 2019 1:07 pm

That’s optimistic for a 223 don’t you reckon?

Only 22 cal I have is a x47lap. 55 vm were nearly as tightly grouping as 55 gn nbts and much cheaper. Though I bought a bulk lot of nbts off the ahn classifieds and sold the vmax!

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trevort · Post by **trevort** » Thu Dec 05, 2019 4:35 pm

If you want to try some 55 gn vmax I just found a few and could send a sample pack

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The Raven · Post by **The Raven** » Thu Dec 05, 2019 7:26 pm

Like Trev said....

If you want some samples to try I can offer:

Speer 50 or 52gr HPs
Taipan 50gr HP
Zmax in 50 or 55gr
Hornady 55gr SP W/C
Hornady 40Gr vmax
Nosler 50gr ballistic tip
Some old 62gr HPbt (taken out of some wolf steel case ammo)

Some was acquired and may need a quick tumble or ultrasonic clean.

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Brad Y · Post by **Brad Y** » Thu Dec 05, 2019 10:57 pm

Trev it’s amazing what the 223 can do with the right powder

RDavies · Post by **RDavies** » Sat Feb 08, 2020 10:14 am

With a brake on it and little 40gn pills going flat out, it should be fun watching impacts.

frakka · Post by **frakka** » Sat Feb 08, 2020 11:46 am

50gr Sierra blitzking.........401 rabbits, 27 foxes and 13 cats can't be wrong

The Raven · Post by **The Raven** » Sat Feb 08, 2020 12:54 pm

I’m a fan of the 55 blitz kings. No idea what velocity I am getting but they shoot nice groups and hit whatever ferals I aim at.

Doesn’t matter if they are factories or reloads.

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fenring · Post by **fenring** » Sun Feb 09, 2020 9:08 am

Been running 55 Varmageddon plastic tip flat based for a while now. They POP nicely and shoot as well as the more exxy 55gr SBK. Flat base or boat tail makes no difference at the ranges I'm shooting.

Camel · Post by **Camel** » Sun Feb 09, 2020 10:32 am

fenring wrote: ↑Sun Feb 09, 2020 9:08 am Been running 55 Varmageddon plastic tip flat based for a while now. They POP nicely and shoot as well as the more exxy 55gr SBK. Flat base or boat tail makes no difference at the ranges I'm shooting.

Yeah, Sierra are pretty exxy these days. To be honest, the only difference I have ever noticed between boat tail and flat base, the boat tails are easier to seat.

Brad Y · Post by **Brad Y** » Mon Feb 10, 2020 1:02 pm

I’m almost 100 percent certain I’m going to do this new barrel set up for 40gr projies. The next idea that popped into my head was to run a brake on it just to help watch hits and misses. The recoil on a 223 isn’t bad by any means but at the expense of a bit more perceived noise which is no real issue shooting with hearing protection and with guys that use 243’s, I wonder if it’s worth trying. Worst case it’s just a small part off and re crown if I don’t like it.

Seddo · Post by **Seddo** » Mon Feb 10, 2020 2:42 pm

Brad Y wrote: ↑Mon Feb 10, 2020 1:02 pm I’m almost 100 percent certain I’m going to do this new barrel set up for 40gr projies. The next idea that popped into my head was to run a brake on it just to help watch hits and misses. The recoil on a 223 isn’t bad by any means but at the expense of a bit more perceived noise which is no real issue shooting with hearing protection and with guys that use 243’s, I wonder if it’s worth trying. Worst case it’s just a small part off and re crown if I don’t like it.

I just had a 22-250AI reamer pushed into a 14 twist barrel to see what i can do with 40's!

Post by **MISSED** » Mon Feb 10, 2020 2:59 pm

A mate uses 40 NBT in his 223AI at 4000 fps

While I have been running 40 Vmax in my 22/204 ate 4200 FPS

No brakes and you definately can see the hits

Brad Y · Post by **Brad Y** » Mon Feb 10, 2020 8:08 pm

What powder are you guys using mate? Those are great velocities from small cases. I would go a 223ai but it’s a whole new application here and not worth the justification hassle and fees involved.

mick_762 · Post by **mick_762** » Mon Feb 10, 2020 8:51 pm

Brad Y wrote: ↑Mon Feb 10, 2020 1:02 pm The next idea that popped into my head was to run a brake on it just to help watch hits and misses.

Brad,
I know its slightly oversized, (1mm) but depending on what reports you read - it shouldnt matter.

I have this on my 6SLR for no other real reason than spotting hits/misses.
Works really well - reduces felt recoil to about .223, so should allow you to do everything you mentioned.

https://www.brownells.com.au/index.php? ... mma+vg+6.5

AusVarmint