Ammo for a .223

[trappa 518]

Im about sorted now for getting my .223 up and running. My mod comes tomorrow, finally! I will post some pics up tomorrow night.

Anyway, i'll be out zeroing in these coming nights so i want to get my ammo right. Its a howa 1500 with a 1-12 twist, am i right in thinking this will happily fire a lighter bullet? Is there a reccomended bullet to start with, or is it a case of trying different sizes, makes etc to find one that suits?

I got given a box of 40grn hornady v-max with said gun, is it wise to stick with these or up to 50grn. (its for fox)

cheers trappa

[peashooter 0]

I have a 1-12 twist and mine seems to like 50grn bullets the best, I can shoot 40 or 55 but I can get a 1/2" group at 100yds with the 55's you just need to adjust the powder for the other bullets but I can only manage a 3/4"-1" group with the others.

 

Rich.

[DaveK 0]

try 55gn V-Max with 22.3gn Viht n-133. Works well in Lorraines Remy 700.

[Guest JohnGalway]

My remmy likes the 40 grain vmaxs Usually get half inch groups, sometimes a little more sometimes a little less. Also likes the 55 grain vmaxs, I forget how they group as I've not had any for a while. So I would think 40 - 55 grain is your best ground, then just find the round it likes the best - that's if you're not going to get into reloading which would open a whole new world for you

[Mr_Logic 5]

My Howa loves American Eagle 50gr hollow points, it's < 1/2" with them sometimes, hovers around the .5" inch mark, up to .75" normally. They're pretty cheap, but Wolf are much cheaper. It sticks them into about an inch and a half, which at 18p a pop isn't too bad.

[trappa 518]

My Howa loves American Eagle 50gr hollow points, it's < 1/2" with them sometimes, hovers around the .5" inch mark, up to .75" normally. They're pretty cheap, but Wolf are much cheaper. It sticks them into about an inch and a half, which at 18p a pop isn't too bad.

18p a squeeze is a bloody great price! i will enquire with my local rfd.

[trappa 518]

- that's if you're not going to get into reloading which would open a whole new world for you

John, reloading is something i am very interested in. Is there a rough calculation/rule of thumb as to how many shots you fire per month as to whether it would benefit you ie; say if you fire 40 a month or more reloading pays for itself, less than 40 dont bother?

trappa

[jamie g 17]

Im about sorted now for getting my .223 up and running. My mod comes tomorrow, finally! I will post some pics up tomorrow night.

Anyway, i'll be out zeroing in these coming nights so i want to get my ammo right. Its a howa 1500 with a 1-12 twist, am i right in thinking this will happily fire a lighter bullet? Is there a reccomended bullet to start with, or is it a case of trying different sizes, makes etc to find one that suits?

I got given a box of 40grn hornady v-max with said gun, is it wise to stick with these or up to 50grn. (its for fox)

cheers trappa

 

 

try privi ammo to you never no your rifle mite like it. 40's will go well in your rifle but over longer range i would stick to 50 or 55gr will hold better in wind

[Guest JohnGalway]

- that's if you're not going to get into reloading which would open a whole new world for you

John, reloading is something i am very interested in. Is there a rough calculation/rule of thumb as to how many shots you fire per month as to whether it would benefit you ie; say if you fire 40 a month or more reloading pays for itself, less than 40 dont bother?

trappa

 

I don't know Trappa, but I'm sure there are lads on here who reload could advise you on it. I know I would get into it if allowed in a heartbeat just for accuracy stakes

[peashooter 0]

Right

 

to reload my 223 homeloads

 

 

Brass - 0p

Powder - 9p

primer - 3p

bullet head - 30-35p

 

so for homeload before you buy the equipment is about 45p

 

privi is about 38p each

 

but with my homeloads I can use whichever bullet heads I like and I can group under 1/2" everytime on the range, it is not about cost it is another side to our sport of hunting.

 

I reload for 38 special, 357 magnum, 223, 270, 762 x 54 & a every shotgun size there is just about.

 

Rich.

[dickyboy 1]

i've been shooting in my 223 using american eagle and getting half inch groups so well happy and turned a fox to soup

[dwighet 1]

Trappa i use factory 40gn hornady v-max in my 223.. Its a cz varmint with 1in9 twist... Getting half inch groups..I use this round for fox because of its very flat trajectory..When zeroed at 1in high at 100yds you will get zero at 200yds with a drop of 5.5 inches at 300yds..

In my opinion that takes a lot of the guesss work out of hold over at night when distance can be hard to judge..

Your good to go up to 300yds.if you think foxy is out around the 300 mark just aim high on the shoulder..

[Mr_Logic 5]

My SPS tactical hates my Wolf But I got some 40gr Federal and it's putting them into a thumbnail group at 100 yards, well happy with that, esp since the group was at 9.40 last night without a lamp...

[Tungsten 0]

Any suggestions as to ammo/bullet size for a .223 with 1:7 twist.

[dwighet 1]

Any suggestions as to ammo/bullet size for a .223 with 1:7 twist.

 

As far as factory ammo goes.. i have used federal powershok 63gn in my cz 223 1in 9 twist with very good results...If you reload i have heard that the 75gn hornady a-max are the bees knees for such a tight twist(1in 7).Very accurate at long range..400+