Gopher verses .223

[Loki610]

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

I'm gonna have to try this. I love the SPSX because its handsdown the most devastating on a small rodent but with the powders I tried (Varget, H335, CFE223) I always seemed to get a few that would tumble and accuracy sucked.

 

[MetalMike]

I love loading for the 223. I prefer flat base bullet just cause they seem to be less finicky (accuracy-wise) for me for whatever reason.

My vote goes to the 50 gr Speer TNT with H322 or Varget.

 

[leveractionjunkie]

People don't give the 40gr tipped bullets enough credit, the increase in velocity over heavier bullets really can make a big difference to bullet drop in the 0-350yrd range. As far as wind drift it's going to push bullets and you'll have to dope wind it's life but removing as much guess work on bullet drop can make life easier.

Check out some of M.L. McPhearsons writing on the subject. He makes some good points, and he's a ballistic/gunsmithing super genius. At least compared to me and my friends

 

[Eagleye]

I do not own a 223, but regularly shoot the 40 Grain Ballistic Tip and the 50 grain V-Max out of it.
It prefers the 50's over any other weight, but still shoots the 40's into about ½ moa.

There is no reason why one should not be able to find an accurate 35 grain load, even with a fast twist barrel.

Regards, Dave.