PatrickMc

What is your opinion on the size of the bullet to use in a .223. Right now I have a 50 grain jacketed hollow point. I am looking at the V-Max bullets b/c they shoot faster velocities. I see a 40 grain that says it will push 3800 FPS. However, I feel that 40 grains is almost too light. Or there is a 45 grain that goes to 3550 FPS. I'd like to be quite accurate out to 300 yds, that's why I was looking for a faster bullet, but let me know what you all think. Thanks.

NMFowler

I shoot the 40gr V-max from my 204 and anchor them out to 300 yards. Plus with the V-max there is usually no exit hole due to how the bullet fragments on impact, making a mess of their vitals.

#40Fan

When using the .223, I shoot a 55 Blitzking out of the bolt gun and 60 gr HP out of my AR.

falcon

i use about anyone's 45 grain soft point bullet in the .223. Have not problem busting coyotes to 300 yards and beyond.My .223s are loaded pretty stiff but there is no way to get 3,550 fps with a 45 grain bullet in the .223.If you want really fast bullets thengo witha .22-250 or a .22 CHeetah.

PatrickMc

This is real helpful guys, thanks. Falcon, when using the 45 grains, where are you aiming on the coyote, head, neck, lungs? How far are they moving after the shot? And what is the drop at 300 yds?

falcon

"Falcon, when using the 45 grains, where are you aiming on the coyote, head, neck, lungs?"

Usually try to shoot the coyote just behind the shoulder. My .223 rifles are sighted 2.5" high at 100 yards. The bullet is dead on or a little high at 200 yards and are 6-8 inches low at 300 yards.Remington does sell a 45 grain .223 load that they claim to get 3,550 fps from. Have never seen or used it though. Not sure what my current 45 grainloads are doing. They have not been chronographed: but methinks they are doing about 3,400 fps.

The coyotes i shoot seldom go 25 yards after being shot. BTW: i am using 45 grain bullets because they are cheap.

PatrickMc

Thanks falcon. That drop is just what I expected at those ranges. I too thought that 3550 FPS was optimistic for a 45 gr bullet. Do you think then that 3800 FPS is optimistic for a 40 gr? Do you also think that the 40 gr is too light? They are using it in the .204. Essentially in 40 gr it is nearly the same bullet as the .22 LR, just a lot faster. As I said before, I'd like as much speed as I can get, but I am not going to pay double for an extra 300 FPS.

falcon

"Do you think then that 3800 FPS is optimistic for a 40 gr?"

Not sure. A couple of companies are claiming 3,800 from their factory loads.

Do you also think that the 40 gr is too light?"

No, iused to kill coyoteswith my .17 K-Hornet and its 25 grain bullet. Now that gun is on loan to a friend who is a dedicated coyote killer.

biscuit jake

I am honestly skeptical about a 223 hitting 3800 fps, but then, the bullets are so explosive, you just don't need to crank up supermax velocity. Maybe someone will come on that has chrono'd their loads. Cartridges like the 22 250 and 220 Swift are faster, but they are certainly noisier and few things are as cheap to shoot as a 223. The other factor is wind. I have known some varmint hunters that stuck with the larger casings (like the 22 250) just because it gave them a slight range advantage with wind. Guess it depends on your terrain and what you are facing. 22 250 is very popular for those locals who feel they need a longer shot. My hunting just does not go that far in the rolling hills & corn fields.

I was very pleased with the 222 Remington and Hornady's SX bullet, but I eventually sold it off. I should have rebarreled it.