.223 1:9 twist rifle, best ammo for varmint and target shooting
- Thread starter Fud
- Start date
cdn1canhunt
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- southwestern ontario
.55 grain v-max or 55gr noslers shoot superbly in a bunch of 1-9 guns I have loaded for.
- Location
- On a sand bar in the Atlantic Ocean.
I completely agree with the 68gr Hornady's
Another would be the 69gr Sierra Match King.
For cheep varmint ammo the 50 gr TNT is awesome and expands like there is no tomorrow.
53gr hornady superformance makes a 223 into a mild 22-250. Faster and flatter shooting with a decent BC. If it shoots good, use it for everything.
Lots of guys use them, but I've had disappointing results with "match" ammo on coyotes. The heavier rounds do retain some energy at distance, but the reduced speed usually leaves something to be desired for ballistic performance. If you're close (say within 300 yards), then the heavies aren't any better there than a 53 or 55 grain vmax bullet.
The heavy bullets may be accurate at longer ranges, but the ballistics are similar to lobbed football and knowing the distance becomes VERY important. What do you imagine your ranges to be for hunting/target?
Lots of guys use them, but I've had disappointing results with "match" ammo on coyotes. The heavier rounds do retain some energy at distance, but the reduced speed usually leaves something to be desired for ballistic performance. If you're close (say within 300 yards), then the heavies aren't any better there than a 53 or 55 grain vmax bullet.
The heavy bullets may be accurate at longer ranges, but the ballistics are similar to lobbed football and knowing the distance becomes VERY important. What do you imagine your ranges to be for hunting/target?
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200 to 400 yards most likely
My 1:9" HB Savage shoots 53gr. V-Max and 55gr. V-Max almost the same. SLIGHT edge to the 53gr...but barely. I'm most likely the weak link. 
53gr. V-Max over 25.7gr. Varget
55gr. V-Max over 25.5gr. Varget
3 shot groups from both @ 100 yards look almost like one hole if I do my part...which isn't often. lol
53gr. V-Max over 25.7gr. Varget
55gr. V-Max over 25.5gr. Varget
3 shot groups from both @ 100 yards look almost like one hole if I do my part...which isn't often. lol
Hand Skills
CGN Regular
- Location
- In the 'heartland', southern SK
After testing out various factory ammo I bought a bunch of boxes of Nosler Custom Competition (white boxes) 60gr ballistic tip. They are still available but now in black boxes called Nosler Match Grade. I am really pleased with the performance of 60gr ballistic tips on coyotes. Few runners and even fewer exit wounds.
There is also a 60gr Varmageddon (flat base) available from Nosler, but the ballistic tip features a boat tail and thus retains velocity a bit better. This becomes noticeable at 300yd (and beyond).
My rifle shoots American eagle 62gr FMJ's to nearly the same point of impact, so I shoot a lot of those for offhand/positional practice.
My barrel is 1:8, and it slings the BT's more consistently than any other factory load I've tried (including a bunch of the Hornady GMX/AMAX/superformance). Of course your rifle may be different, I suggest picking up at least 3 different boxes in the 55gr-69gr, your rifle is bound to like at least 1!
There is also a 60gr Varmageddon (flat base) available from Nosler, but the ballistic tip features a boat tail and thus retains velocity a bit better. This becomes noticeable at 300yd (and beyond).
My rifle shoots American eagle 62gr FMJ's to nearly the same point of impact, so I shoot a lot of those for offhand/positional practice.
My barrel is 1:8, and it slings the BT's more consistently than any other factory load I've tried (including a bunch of the Hornady GMX/AMAX/superformance). Of course your rifle may be different, I suggest picking up at least 3 different boxes in the 55gr-69gr, your rifle is bound to like at least 1!
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