.223 factory load suggestion please

[sibaldib 6]

I am just about to purchase my first .223, a Tikka T3 (not sure whether to go for Hunter or Lite model)

Normally with my CZ rimfires (.22 and .17HMR) I bought a load of different ammo and found out what was best, namely Eley Subs and Hornady 17grn, by trial and error.

 

However, with the cost of the .223 rounds, I do not want to buy loads of different brands/weights so I was hoping someone could give the benefit of their experience in this. I will be using the rifle for foxes out to a maximum distance of 200yds and from what I have been told, 55grn should be the maximum load for best accuracy.

 

Any advice re the gun, or what make of ammo to use would be gratefully received.

 

Thanks

 

Sib

[TWOTWOTHREE 152]

Hi i had the same problem when i got my 223 as i didnt know which ammo to get.after a bit of investigation people said to try federal v shock 55 gr in my remington 700 they were all over the place.i tried other various brands and they were better but when i bought a box of 40gr hornady v-max i got amazing groupings out to 200 yards. Not sure what they would perform like in your rifle but alot of folk say they are good in their rifles too.cost me about 60 quid to find a good round and thats cheap i imagine it could be an expensive time for some people.i hope it doesnt cost You a fortune.good luck

[sibaldib 6]

Hi i had the same problem when i got my 223 as i didnt know which ammo to get.after a bit of investigation people said to try federal v shock 55 gr in my remington 700 they were all over the place.i tried other various brands and they were better but when i bought a box of 40gr hornady v-max i got amazing groupings out to 200 yards. Not sure what they would perform like in your rifle but alot of folk say they are good in their rifles too.cost me about 60 quid to find a good round and thats cheap i imagine it could be an expensive time for some people.i hope it doesnt cost You a fortune.good luck

 

 

Thanks for your reply. I was thinking of keeping sub 50 gr, so I may give these a try.

 

Sib

[woodydog 1]

Sako 55grn is a good one to try, but if you buy new put a few cheap rounds through first something like privi or american eagle.

[welshdragon 6]

Hi sibaldib

have you any idea what twist the guns are . TWOTWOTHREE said his 223 remington 700 is better with 40gr hornady v-max . My remington 700 tactical 223 with 1-9 twist loves all 55gr if i was you the first i would try are the 50gr privi then try the 55gr privi then try sako 50gr then 55gr sako.

 

atb to you W.D

[nod 285]

if u buy new rember to clean after half a box if not u will mess the crowning up, my howa 223 used to love hornady but then they changed the primer and my gun put a hole through it, i now use remmington, all guns are different if u have some mates with a 223 try some of thier bullets they are always cheaper

[sibaldib 6]

Thanks for the replies.

 

Regarding the twist, I think I heard that they were originally 1:12 but they then changed that to 1:9. However the latest models have reverted to 1:12. I don't know how true this is.

 

Regards

 

Sib

[stando 177]

Norma 50grain,ballistic tips,very accurate,hard hitting, there an excellent foxing round!

[neil rob 0]

I am just about to purchase my first .223, a Tikka T3 (not sure whether to go for Hunter or Lite model)

Normally with my CZ rimfires (.22 and .17HMR) I bought a load of different ammo and found out what was best, namely Eley Subs and Hornady 17grn, by trial and error.

 

However, with the cost of the .223 rounds, I do not want to buy loads of different brands/weights so I was hoping someone could give the benefit of their experience in this. I will be using the rifle for foxes out to a maximum distance of 200yds and from what I have been told, 55grn should be the maximum load for best accuracy.

 

Any advice re the gun, or what make of ammo to use would be gratefully received.

 

Thanks

 

Sib

 

 

 

winchester for me and my remington 700 vls 40gran up to 55.

40 gran from september - november and 55s for the winter

[halamrose 24]

Why diiferant for differant seasons?

Halam

[markha 99]

Maybe Neil is home loading with hot rounds, so ambient temps effect the load if used in summer or winter, thats the only thing I can think of, well in its simplest terms anyway. If you spoke to some trained marksmen/long range target shooters, you would hear a lot about air temp, air density, barometric pressure and shooting at different altitudes, all of this has an effect on the trajectory of a given bullet weight and powder weight, plus the burn speed of the powder etc etc.

But for normal hunting ranges/kill zone size? I dont know.

 

As Neil is only up the road from me, he is more than welcome to buy me a pint in the Llangollen while he tells me about why the different summer and winter ammo, as Im always keen to learn more .

[neil rob 0]

Maybe Neil is home loading with hot rounds, so ambient temps effect the load if used in summer or winter, thats the only thing I can think of, well in its simplest terms anyway. If you spoke to some trained marksmen/long range target shooters, you would hear a lot about air temp, air density, barometric pressure and shooting at different altitudes, all of this has an effect on the trajectory of a given bullet weight and powder weight, plus the burn speed of the powder etc etc.

But for normal hunting ranges/kill zone size? I dont know.

 

As Neil is only up the road from me, he is more than welcome to buy me a pint in the Llangollen while he tells me about why the different summer and winter ammo, as Im always keen to learn more .

september -november 40grain on cubs up to 150 yards winter adults 55grain 200-300yards save sum money i dont home load not into it yet