Heavy Hunting Load .223 Please

VancouverSkiBum

VancouverSkiBum

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I use 55 grain nosler right now over h335 in a 16 inch 1:8 barrel I get sub half moa. I need something heavier because it floats around too much past 200m. I want to use the same powder if possible, and a pretty color on the tip of the bullet(I love the look). Legal for hunting too.

Recommendations? :cool:
 
If it is a factory original barrel on a manually operated rifle, there shouldn't be a legal problem.
I would avoid match bullets for hunting. Reliable expansion is not one of the design parameters.
 
I have got a few coyotes with 77gr nosler match pmc brass rem primer and 25gr varget fantastic load and they pile up right there, 200 yards windy day 50gr vmax were 10" off these were 2-3".
 
I think you need to first clarify what you intend on hunting with this load. I have used 69 grain BTHP's on coyotes with great success. For hunting deer, etc where legal, I would use a controlled expansion bullet driven as fast as possible. The 60 grain Partition, the 64 grain Power Point (no cannelure) or the 60 grain Hornady SP all will deck deer.
 
IM trying the Sierra 65gr GK's this year on coyotes. Dont know if that powder will work for that or not.

Far as Ive taken them out to is 550. I think theyll be good for yotes to about 400 according to how hard its hitting steel target at that range.
 
Thanks for the replies. It is a Ruger American Ranch, and to be more specific, im looking to use it on large game for headshots. Coyotes and rabbits are always an options too, but I don't mind carrying 2 different loads.
 
The 77 SMK and it's equivalent the Hornady 75 BTHP are kind of the gold standard for heavy hitting .223 loads. They're what was used in Mk 262 ammo.

I see no reason to consider the 60 - whatever grain class of bullets here. Your 1:8 can shoot 75 and 77 grainers no problem, so why wouldn't you shoot the higher BC heavier bullet if the aim is a heavy load? High 60 grain class bullets are good if you have a slower twist and that's all you can stabilize. 80 grainers and up are for target applications really, and can't be loaded to mag length. So that pretty quickly narrows it to 75 and 77 grain bullets. H335 is listed for the 77 SMK, Hornady doesn't list it for the 75 BTHP... But boy, I bet a guy might just be fine using the 77 SMK data and working up as always. My experience in any case with the Hornady data for .223 is that it's so conservative as to be useless, some of their max loads are closer to other published data's starting loads.

The 75 BTHP Hornadys are considerably cheaper than the 77 SMKs but equal in quality and performance. The 75 AMaxes are a great bullet, but can't be loaded to .223 mag length. There's the new 77 TMKs but I have no experience with those yet. On paper, the best of both worlds; the pointy tip of the AMax, but with the ability to load to mag length.

A compressed charge of Varget gets me 3050 fps / 24" bbl with the 75 BTHP, with nothing approaching pressure signs. That makes for a pretty potent .223 load. It's still got just under 1000 ft lbs of energy at 300 yards. The 75 BTHP also has good sectional density, about the same as a 150 grain .308.

There's plenty of video and pics out there as to the terminal effects of the 77 SMK and 75 BTHP on deer. They wallop coyotes pretty good. They will not be pelt friendly, unless you shoot them lengthwise I guess. Haven't tried it that way. For rabbits, it's kind of moot, any .223 bullet will work for a headshot as well, and a body shot as poorly, as any other.

Would it be my first choice for bambi? No. Would I feel confident taking frontal, broadside and quartering heart / lung shots at under 200 yards? For sure, no question.


 
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