njc110381 Posted April 24, 2011 Report Share Posted April 24, 2011 (edited) Well I've got the ball rolling with the .223. Variation's in, had a chat with my RFD about an A-Bolt, had a rummage through my kit drawer and found a set of .223 reloading dies - so... What bullet type and weight do you all use in your rifles? I've hit the usage barrier again by thinking I could shoot Munties legally with a 50gr+, but to shoot Rabbits and Foxes would I be better off going a bit lighter? Then there's the point of would I even want to shoot Munties with it? With the sort of bullet I want to use (something that explodes and makes a huge mess) it's going to be a head shot only affair and I'm not a fan of head shooting any Deer let alone the species that never stands still! My last .223 was a varmint profile 1-9 I think and didn't like 40's at all. This new one is 1-12 I think so should be fine with them but are they too light? Do the 50ish grain bullets still blow up as well as the lighter ones? I only used 52gr A-Max in mine in any numbers. EDIT... I've got a box of 45gr Sierra Varminters "in stock". Anybody use them? Edited April 24, 2011 by njc110381 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted April 24, 2011 Report Share Posted April 24, 2011 Hi, pretty sure you know exactly what you're doing anyway, mate, but ignoring all the whys and wherefores, have a look at the 50gr V Max. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamie g Posted April 24, 2011 Report Share Posted April 24, 2011 if you wanted a fox and munty round what about the 50 grain softpoints that they use on the sako gameheads factory rounds. i think the heads are made by spear there soft point Spitzer rounds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barrelsniffer Posted April 24, 2011 Report Share Posted April 24, 2011 (edited) Ive been using the 50 gn vmax in my NV 1/8 twist tikka 223 rifle for yrs..never let me down...recently started using 64 bergers in day rifle 223 for added range. Forgot this is just for fox not muntie,but should still knock them over ok with good shot placement Mick Edited April 24, 2011 by barrelsniffer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oxon88 Posted April 24, 2011 Report Share Posted April 24, 2011 55gr nosler BT always do me well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inthedark Posted April 24, 2011 Report Share Posted April 24, 2011 I've got an A bolt in .223 mate, and it loves 40's. I'll PM you the recipe if you want it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
activeviii Posted April 24, 2011 Report Share Posted April 24, 2011 I have a new pack of 50g blitz kings for you to try if you want them NJC. Phil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njc110381 Posted April 24, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 24, 2011 Inthedark, I'd appreciate your recipe just to give me a start on what to try. I know all guns are different but I've never loaded 40gr bullets in a .223 so any info would be most helpful. Phil. I may take you up on that when it arrives. Just a few to put down a group or two to see how the rifle likes them. I do have a fairly good idea what I'm doing but when it comes to bullet choice there is so much out there. It's worth finding out how people rate various bullets in the field because you can't beat first hand experience. I sure wish I'd asked more about the 45gr SP I'm loading in my Hornet. I wouldn't have bothered with them if I knew they were so reluctant to expand! I think I should concentrate on the Fox use and forget Deer. I have a choice of Deer rifles already and don't have a shoot on sight policy on any of my permissions. It wouldn't hurt to let the odd one walk away when I'm out with the .223 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inthedark Posted April 24, 2011 Report Share Posted April 24, 2011 No worries, I'll dig it out and post it on here in the next couple of days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tick Posted April 25, 2011 Report Share Posted April 25, 2011 Hi, My rifle is Rem .223 1/12 twist and 40gr V-Max is very accurate and foxes hate them I use VihtV N133- 26.5gns @ 3750fps Lapua cases CCI primers, my load is "Max" so start lower and work up Happy Hunting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highseas Posted April 25, 2011 Report Share Posted April 25, 2011 ile use what ever i can get ime useing 50grn v-wax at the min and the molly coated ones too they both shoot to the same poi but i find the mollys slightly better at longer range(up to 400) i did use the 35 grn v max but they realy made a mess of things were realy realy fun on smaller stuff like magpies and sqizzers, ive usd 60 grners once in factory load and my gun did not like them at all, but for deer ime shooting roe with the 50 grn v max and soft points and the v-max has the better stopping power for cheast shots, i normaly take head,neck, high cheast to drop them on the spot because of the christmas trees, once they run in their its the devils job to find the ******** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njc110381 Posted April 26, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 26, 2011 i did use the 35 grn v max but they realy made a mess of things were realy realy fun on smaller stuff like magpies and sqizzers 35gr V-Max in the .223?! That sounds pretty splatty! Did they stand up to the velocity ok or did you have to load them slow? I've been looking at the Barnes 36gr Varmint Grenade but wondered if they'll be good enough if the shot angle isn't ideal? With the experience I've had with the Hornet I'm keen not to over penetrate but at the same time I don't want to get splash wounds on rear end shots if I can help it so will probably go heavier. Phil just gave me a near full box of 50gr Blitzkings so that'll be where I start I think. I may then go lighter as I have a box of 45gr Sierra Varminter spitzer to work on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted April 26, 2011 Report Share Posted April 26, 2011 stick with the blitzkings, in 55grn flavour in mine on 26.5 grains of varget they were great. Why bother going lighter there really isn't any real benefit. If yours shoots well with 55's or 50's then stick with them and desist from playing just go out shooting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garyb Posted April 26, 2011 Report Share Posted April 26, 2011 When I had a 223 I used 55grn for everything... What twist is the rifle? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inthedark Posted April 26, 2011 Report Share Posted April 26, 2011 Remington brass, cci primer, 25.4gr of N135 gave me sub 1/2" in a brand new A bolt .223 on 40gr Vmax bullets. I've also got a Remmy 700 .223 and it struggles to shoot under 2" with this load. See my previous posts on Barnes varmint grenades, didn't work for me, but I still like their frangibility. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooter Posted April 26, 2011 Report Share Posted April 26, 2011 40grns shoot ok from my remmy .223, but 50grn shoots far better. I found the 40grn open up quite a bit at 200yds. IME the VG's are ok out to 100yds, but poor beyond that, and no good beyond 200yds. I guess that's why the dealer hada big smile on his face when I bought them off him. I read about a guy who had been using them in a bird sanctuary to remove the foxes, but he had to stop in the end as they kept getting up and running off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorfolkPoacher Posted April 26, 2011 Report Share Posted April 26, 2011 My .223 has a 1in8 twist and likes 55gr and above. 75gr shoot pretty good. My favourite factory round is Hornady 55gr V max which will shoot into one hole at 100yards, so i havent yet bothered re-loading. I have recently taken in 100 hornady 55gr TAP rounds which are near identical to the V-max, they shoot just as well and cost £12 per box instead of £16 for vmax. For £12 per 20 im not sure if re-loading will ever pay for its self??? or will it?? atb Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted April 26, 2011 Report Share Posted April 26, 2011 at £12 for 20 it won't pay just buy as many at that price as you can if they shoot well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorfolkPoacher Posted April 26, 2011 Report Share Posted April 26, 2011 at £12 for 20 it won't pay just buy as many at that price as you can if they shoot well I have already shot 40 on saturday "playing" but my RFD has another 100 for me when I need them. it has been hard to source V max lately so went down the TAP route. Charlie hates them!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiger955i Posted April 26, 2011 Report Share Posted April 26, 2011 HI Mate Out of my .223 Tikka 590, 55gn Nostler ballistic tipped are fiendisly accurate. Yet to try them out on foxy but that is just around the corner and I have no doubt they will perform exactly as desired. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inthedark Posted April 27, 2011 Report Share Posted April 27, 2011 My .223 has a 1in8 twist and likes 55gr and above. 75gr shoot pretty good. My favourite factory round is Hornady 55gr V max which will shoot into one hole at 100yards, so i havent yet bothered re-loading. I have recently taken in 100 hornady 55gr TAP rounds which are near identical to the V-max, they shoot just as well and cost £12 per box instead of £16 for vmax. For £12 per 20 im not sure if re-loading will ever pay for its self??? or will it?? atb Dave 20 re loads are around £7 ish, but you dont save money, just shoot more! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njc110381 Posted April 27, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 27, 2011 20 re loads are around £7 ish, but you dont save money, just shoot more! I recon I save a bit by doing it. Buying used dies you can usually sell them on again when you change guns and not lose money. You are right though - it makes a range day much cheaper so you can bung more rounds down! The main reason I do it is to get premium ammunition for the price of Prvi. You can use ammo that would cost upwards of £30-40/20 in the shop for well under a quid a bang. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davy Holt Posted April 27, 2011 Report Share Posted April 27, 2011 20 re loads are around £7 ish, but you dont save money, just shoot more! Yup I agree with that what was once a fox n Roe gun is now an anything that is legal and a safe shot gun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highseas Posted April 27, 2011 Report Share Posted April 27, 2011 35gr V-Max in the .223?! That sounds pretty splatty! Did they stand up to the velocity ok or did you have to load them slow? I've been looking at the Barnes 36gr Varmint Grenade but wondered if they'll be good enough if the shot angle isn't ideal? With the experience I've had with the Hornet I'm keen not to over penetrate but at the same time I don't want to get splash wounds on rear end shots if I can help it so will probably go heavier. Phil just gave me a near full box of 50gr Blitzkings so that'll be where I start I think. I may then go lighter as I have a box of 45gr Sierra Varminter spitzer to work on. i used varget cant remember what load but its writen down somewhere. i load all my bullets with a little powder in them, it works best for me, ime useing 50grn molly coated v-max now over 24grns of varget, ive never had much trouble with splash wounds on things, ive texes heart shot hares and killed then clean, i had 40grn v-max shooting 1 inch hight than my normal zero with 55grn soft points so had two bullets to use depending on what i seen...njc110381 if them bullets dont work well for you ile have them off you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highseas Posted April 27, 2011 Report Share Posted April 27, 2011 20 re loads are around £7 ish, but you dont save money, just shoot more! aint that the truth! ive shot 230 bullets in 4 weeks lol i love this realoading thingy i realy realy do! its cheap fun and easey to master for my 230 bullets ive had 59 kills my vermin sheets tell me, the other 170 have been eather misses 400yrd steel or test shots most have been at long range steel thou lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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