223 bullet choice

therookie · #1 10-06-2014, 06:50 PM

So for this hunting season i want to select a single round and stick with it. last year i shot soft tip, hollow point and V-Max rounds not really noticing a difference. Im wondering for coyotes, fox and other small fury things what has been your round of choice. I cant find much for ballistic tests between the three. exit holes dont matter as i probably wont be selling the pelts unless someone asks.
So far this year Ive shot sierra 55g HPBT and am getting great accuracy out of m robinson XCR-L. Ive loaded a few of my v max rounds as well. i use all types of brass, IMR4198 with 21.4g. im sticking with the 55g rounds so i dont have to keep going to the range and testing more rounds.

let me know what you think.

Attilathecanuk · #2 10-06-2014, 08:12 PM

Sounds like you have a great load that the rifle likes. If it ain't broke......

normanrd · #3 10-06-2014, 08:37 PM

Vmax have always provided me consistent performance at 223 velocities. For the quarry mentioned I'd stick with them.

MadMarty911 · #4 10-06-2014, 09:35 PM

Vmax are great but I've been loving the 55grain dbl hp Calhoon bullets. Shoots a consistent .28 Moa @100 in my Mossberg mvp varmint.
55g dbl hp calhoons
23.1grains Benchmark
Nosler brass.
Federal Primers No 205
Brass trimmed to 1.59
Loaded to 1.913 at the Ojive. Allows me to fit into my LAR15 and .50beowulf mags.
0.015 jump to the lands.

A little more "explosive " on gophers. Fantastic on coyotes but I don't save the fur. If you save fur you don't want to use these bad boys!

therookie · #5 10-07-2014, 04:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Attilathecanuk

Sounds like you have a great load that the rifle likes. If it ain't broke......

ugh I know, but it's the gambler in me. What if I can make it better?!?!?!

therookie · #6 10-07-2014, 04:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MadMarty911

Vmax are great but I've been loving the 55grain dbl hp Calhoon bullets. Shoots a consistent .28 Moa @100 in my Mossberg mvp varmint.
55g dbl hp calhoons
23.1grains Benchmark
Nosler brass.
Federal Primers No 205
Brass trimmed to 1.59
Loaded to 1.913 at the Ojive. Allows me to fit into my LAR15 and .50beowulf mags.
0.015 jump to the lands.

A little more "explosive " on gophers. Fantastic on coyotes but I don't save the fur. If you save fur you don't want to use these bad boys!

Ive got an mvp in my safe that's just sitting there. Haven't even shot it yet. Have it for sale but im also thinking I want to keep it. lots of guys who have them love them. don't have glass for it yet tho so its been in the safe since I bought it. even have a box of ammo ready to test for best moa

densa44 · #7 10-07-2014, 08:04 AM

That is the time to stop. That is the recipe to use for everything.

What I would do, is see how far out you can reach and still hit stuff.

Get those coyotes!

MadMarty911 · #8 10-07-2014, 03:11 PM

Try all three you've used in ballistics gel. Easy to make. Or you can try the wet newspaper test.

tikka250 · #9 10-07-2014, 03:59 PM

I will throw in another vote for the vmax. Great terminal balistics on coyotes.

therookie · #10 10-08-2014, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MadMarty911

Try all three you've used in ballistics gel. Easy to make. Or you can try the wet newspaper test.

How do you make it?

matathonman · #11 10-08-2014, 03:36 AM

Those vmax fly straight! Longest shot on a dog is 405 yrds right tIght to shoulder and the bullet never blew up like closer ranges. Shot hole in hole at 100 yrds but 40 gr bullet didn't do the trick longer range for me.
Had no energy left. It was doing 3500 ft p/sec. Hand loads with rem vls.
Short range it did damage on one side but long range I'd shoot 60 gr or better and see.

matathonman · #12 10-08-2014, 04:07 AM

Those vmax fly straight! Longest shot on a dog is 405 yrds right tIght to shoulder and the bullet never blew up like closer ranges. Shot hole in hole at 100 yrds but 40 gr bullet didn't do the trick longer range for me.
Had no energy left. It was doing 3500 ft p/sec. Hand loads with rem vls.
Short range it did damage on one side but long range I'd shoot 60 gr or better and see.
Shot a mule deer with a 180 gr accubond and it dropped and got up. Walked straight up a hill and I nailed it between the shoulders right in the back. ..opened up like a zipper and straight over backwards. After that tracked it 80 yrds and told buddy to shoot it with the 30-30. Done! Finally!

3000 ft m/v and at 300 yrds the bullet blew up every shot....factory rounds.
3500 ft m/v and at 400 yrs same thing in coyote with a ballistic tip high bc bullet. Even at close range with the .223 I've ripped dogs in half with them if you hit bone.
I'm gonna try the barns for dogs now shot a lot of deer with them and 20yrds - 500 yrds the same result. Bullet expansion and penetration! Same hole hole both distances!Shot them for years and gonna giver in the varmint guns now quick expansion and hold its weight as long as you have the speed at long range still!

Lefty-Canuck · #13 10-08-2014, 06:56 AM

I like the vmax and the amax....I witnessed Normanrd crush a gopher at a ranged distance of 440yards...1/4 mile. Using vmax in his 220 Swift....they are accurate!

LC

Metalmike123 · #14 10-11-2014, 11:00 PM

Should work well. What is the twist rate in your rifle? I was thinking if you are shooting semi auto, Speer makes a good 55gr soft point bullet with a cannelure for crimping.

coy coyote · #15 10-12-2014, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matathonman

Those vmax fly straight! Longest shot on a dog is 405 yrds right tIght to shoulder and the bullet never blew up like closer ranges. Shot hole in hole at 100 yrds but 40 gr bullet didn't do the trick longer range for me.
Had no energy left. It was doing 3500 ft p/sec. Hand loads with rem vls.
Short range it did damage on one side but long range I'd shoot 60 gr or better and see.
Shot a mule deer with a 180 gr accubond and it dropped and got up. Walked straight up a hill and I nailed it between the shoulders right in the back. ..opened up like a zipper and straight over backwards. After that tracked it 80 yrds and told buddy to shoot it with the 30-30. Done! Finally!

3000 ft m/v and at 300 yrds the bullet blew up every shot....factory rounds.
3500 ft m/v and at 400 yrs same thing in coyote with a ballistic tip high bc bullet. Even at close range with the .223 I've ripped dogs in half with them if you hit bone.
I'm gonna try the barns for dogs now shot a lot of deer with them and 20yrds - 500 yrds the same result. Bullet expansion and penetration! Same hole hole both distances!Shot them for years and gonna giver in the varmint guns now quick expansion and hold its weight as long as you have the speed at long range still!

I had problems with the vmax blowing up on impact. Never went further then the hide. Switched to a Noslers on dogs and it pin holes and dead dogs

Lefty-Canuck · #16 10-12-2014, 09:05 AM

I have shot 35gr-55gr vmax and the 52 grain vmax out of my .22-250 at max loads (3300 and up) and never experienced "bullet splash" like some of you describe.

LC

1100winger · #17 10-12-2014, 09:16 AM

50 gr Vmax moly coated - groups well with all powders I have tested. H335 is the favourite. Good performance on varmints out to 300 yds.

normanrd · #18 10-13-2014, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lefty-Canuck

I have shot 35gr-55gr vmax and the 52 grain vmax out of my .22-250 at max loads (3300 and up) and never experienced "bullet splash" like some of you describe.

LC

I shot a 220 swift with 55 vmaxes at 3900 fps and never had a problem with splash on any of the the 200+ coyotes I killed with that gun either.

My 223 shoots the same 55 grain Vmax at 3100 fps and I have never seen a splash on the 837+/- coyotes that I have killed with that gun.

Must have got the good lots of bullets!

therookie · #19 10-16-2014, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metalmike123

Should work well. What is the twist rate in your rifle? I was thinking if you are shooting semi auto, Speer makes a good 55gr soft point bullet with a cannelure for crimping.

It's a 1/9 twist.

Rdamours · #20 01-02-2015, 02:56 AM

Any good deals on those Calhoons locally. Best deals I could find were the 50 gr zmax which were about 85 for 500 when they were around.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MadMarty911

Vmax are great but I've been loving the 55grain dbl hp Calhoon bullets. Shoots a consistent .28 Moa @100 in my Mossberg mvp varmint.
55g dbl hp calhoons
23.1grains Benchmark
Nosler brass.
Federal Primers No 205
Brass trimmed to 1.59
Loaded to 1.913 at the Ojive. Allows me to fit into my LAR15 and .50beowulf mags.
0.015 jump to the lands.

A little more "explosive " on gophers. Fantastic on coyotes but I don't save the fur. If you save fur you don't want to use these bad boys!

Dick284 · #21 01-02-2015, 05:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by therookie

i use all types of brass

let me know what you think.

I think you need to stick to one mfg of brass.

Go read the first couple chapters in a couple loading manuals to see why.

MadMarty911 · #22 01-02-2015, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rdamours

Any good deals on those Calhoons locally. Best deals I could find were the 50 gr zmax which were about 85 for 500 when they were around.

I think dadirk (raynershine gunworks) had them for around 40$ish per 500

fish_e_o · #23 01-02-2015, 11:03 AM

the 55gr SBK's are amazing for accuracy but they kill quick if you know what i mean

Rdamours · #24 01-03-2015, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MadMarty911

I think dadirk (raynershine gunworks) had them for around 40$ish per 500

Thanks man. I just e-mailed them.

babydoyle · #25 01-10-2015, 11:59 PM

I have been using Noslers 40 gr and they group great. You get a dead dog with a pelt you could give to someone to skin.