.223 Loads 80 gr.

[svg4]

I have been loading .223 for awhile. I have a Savage 16FHSS. I have been shooting 45gr,50gr and 55gr bullets. I see in Lyman's that they show loads up to 80gr. The rest of my books stop at about 60 gr bullets. Would the 70,72 and 80 grain bullets hurt the rifle. I was also wondering if the 80's would be enough for the smaller coast range deer. I checked with the regs and it is legal. Is it unwise? Thanks

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[Dan-Dee Sales Inc]

you may want to check you twist rate to see if you can run that heavy of a bullet. You will need a 1:7 or 1:8

 

[Scott]

I have been loading .223 for awhile. I have a Savage 16FHSS. I have been shooting 45gr,50gr and 55gr bullets. I see in Lyman's that they show loads up to 80gr. The rest of my books stop at about 60 gr bullets. Would the 70,72 and 80 grain bullets hurt the rifle. I was also wondering if the 80's would be enough for the smaller coast range deer. I checked with the regs and it is legal. Is it unwise? Thanks

First you need to get that brand of bullets loading book and second you have to find out if your gun can shoot 80 grain bullets. If it is a 1-12 or 1-9 you can't do it and it just won't stabalize. You would need at least a 1-8 preferably a 1-7. As far as hunting I would choose a bigger caliber but that is me as there are many factors when using a 22 cal. Wind, drift, energy, branches and many other variables. I would use at mininum a .243 but that is your choice.

 

[svg4]

I have a 1:9 twist, so it sounds like it would be a problem. It sounds like it answers the hunting question too. I would not want to wound needlessly. If the accuracy isn't there it sounds like the possibility of that goes up. I think I will look for a larger caliber.

 

[the4thshake]

With that twist you may or may not be able to stabilize the 75 and 77 grain bullets. The chances of stabilizing an 80 are slim but not out of the question if you can get enough velocity. If you can't get any of those to work for you, the 69 grain bullets should work quite well. As for hunting deer....if you insist on using a .223, I would consider the 70 grain Barnes TSX.

 

[svg4]

I take it from the work "insist" your vote would be negative. The only reason I asked, is because of health reasons, I can't pack a heavy gun, or have much recoil if I want to hunt at all this year. I happened to be talking to a guy in one of the booths at the gun show, that had the same surgery I had, and he hunted a .223 last year and got a deer at distance. It just started me thinking. My normal gun is a .300 Savage Model 99. Thanks for the opinion, I appreciate it.

 

[HappyRoman]

I went to reloadersnest.com and there are lots of 70-80 and heaver loads. I believe 23 at the 80gr number.. here goes. good Luck. A good head shot, should drop the deer in it's tracks.. Make sure you are shooting less than 1" groups at 2-300yrds. or consider a different caliber that my .02c
"'23 loads available in .223 Remington with bullet weight equal "80 grs". Click on LoadID to show all the details for the given load.
(Sorted by Bullet)


LoadID Bullet Powder Velocity
1769 Berger VLD Vihtavuori N550 2694 fps
1770 Berger VLD Vihtavuori N550 2739 fps
1771 Berger VLD Vihtavuori N550 2799 fps
1772 Berger VLD Winchester 760 2650 fps
1773 Berger VLD Winchester 760 2708 fps
1774 Berger VLD Winchester 760 2766 fps
1775 Berger VLD Winchester 760 2806 fps
1776 Berger VLD Winchester 760 2849 fps
10424 Nosler Custom Competition Hodgdon Varget 0 fps
6530 Sierra Matchking Hodgdon Varget 2869 fps
6531 Sierra Matchking Hodgdon BL-C(2) 2768 fps
6532 Sierra Matchking Hodgdon H335 2744 fps
6533 Sierra Matchking Hodgdon H4895 2825 fps
6534 Sierra Matchking Hodgdon H322 2744 fps
7713 Sierra Matchking Alliant Reloader 15 2808 fps
9905 Sierra Matchking Vihtavuori N135 2333 fps
9906 Sierra Matchking Vihtavuori N135 2587 fps
9907 Sierra Matchking Vihtavuori N530 2339 fps
9908 Sierra Matchking Vihtavuori N530 2630 fps
9909 Sierra Matchking Vihtavuori N140 2395 fps

These and more at: http://www.Reloadersnest.com

 

[svg4]

Thank you HappyRoman, for all this effort. I am going to test some of this next week. I have some of these powders and access to Barnes.
I looked at .243's today. I might be able to squeeze one into the budget, if I sell a I sell a 1893 Oviedo Mauser I just finished last week. It may be more a question of priorities. Thanks again

 

[littlecars]

I have a savage 223 with a 26" bull barrel and a 1:9 twist. I have killed several coyaties at 400-500 yards with one bullet. It stabelizes 75 gr bulltes great. I have never shot anything heavier that 75 gr. I wouldent hesitate to use a 223 for hunting. I dont think it a the best round for deer but being able to shoot your gun acuratly is more important that the round you are shooting. if you cant make a shot becouse of distance, wind, range, whatever, dont take the shot.

 

[Twodogs]

I would take a look at sierra's 65gr gameking bullet it's made for deer and works quite well.
You dont need a 300 ultra mag to kill a blacktail deer.