Gopher verses .223

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Billythreefeathers

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Gopher verses .223

I'm reloading a hockey sock of .223 this winter and was looking at a few bullet choices, 35gr Hornady V-max. I've never reloaded anything this small, but was thinking it might be fun for gophers next spring. Any suggestions on powder loads? Or other bullets?

Edit: Guess the rifle info would be helpful - CZ 527 Varmint 9:1 twist, 24 inch barrel
 
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55gr VMAX vaporize them. I wouldn't bother messing with the reallly lightweights in a .223. What twist rate are you running? My Tikka is 1-8" and accuracy is very good with the 55's, and 'meh' with the 40's.

I think I'm using about 25gr of AA2230 with 55gr VMAX and getting 3250ft/sec speeds. Pretty deadly up to 300 yards.
 
I've got a good load with 40gr VMAX over H335 (don't remember how much offhand). Shooting out of a Rem 700 Tactical with 1:9" twist. Shoots really well and fast! Haven't chrono'ed it but it should be somewhere in the 33-3400 fps range. This particular rifle seems to like any bullet. I've got great loads for 40, 53, and 55 gr VMAX, and 69gr Sierras all of which should be entertaining on gophers.
 
I mainly use 53gr vmax with varget. If you have the twist to stabilize the 53's I's use em the bc is better then the 60gr vmax. Those 53's are great for anything from gophers to coyotes.
 
I had a CZ kevlar and had a great load with 60gr vmax bullets and 23 gr of Benchmark powder, put 5 in your thumb nail at a 100 yards. FS
 
My savage is a 1-9" twist and I was able to get a good load with the 40grain Vmax after experimenting with a few powders. It gets tricky to get accuracy when the bullet is borderline too light for the rifling.
 
From my own experience, I like the 50 gr Hornady SPSX bullets in the 222 / 223 class of cartridge for gophers. These have been about the most explosive bullets I've used.
 
Loki610 said:
My savage is a 1-9" twist and I was able to get a good load with the 40grain Vmax after experimenting with a few powders. It gets tricky to get accuracy when the bullet is borderline too light for the rifling.
Click to expand...

Never had this problem in my 1/9 twist even with 35gr bullets. With 35 and 40's I use a full case of varget (27-27.5gr)
 
I use the 40 gr hornadys in my 222. I know different cartridge but close enough, so the 223 will get another 100 fps or so. I sight in for 200 so 0 at 50 +1inch at 100, 1.25 at 150 and 2.5 at 250. so unless I mess the shot he's done.
 
My favorite load for gophers is;

Hornady 55gr SPSX bullet or 55gr V-Max bullet
13.5 grains of Bluedot powder, over 500 roundss per pound of powder.
CCI Small Rifle Primers
Federal .223 cases.

This load will only work in a bolt gun. It is too fast to cycle a semi auto.
As it is quite fast burning powder, your barrel doesn't heat up after firing lots of rounds.

Google 223 Bludot for info on this load.

Regards, Henry
 
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