.223 Projectile for larger game.

Game hunting and large prey. Deer stalking, hunting with hounds. Boar, pigs etc., large prey, culling, hunting large feral animals.

.223 Projectile for larger game.

Post by GQshayne » 04 Mar 2019, 4:36 pm

G'day all.

I have a grazier friend that I am organising a new rifle for. He has dogs killing his sheep, and his rifle wasn't shooting straight, After seeing his old Sako .222 I am not surprised. It has been well used. The cost to repair it would be more than a new rifle. He thinks that is a good idea.

So a Tikka T3 Varmint is the prime candidate, subject to looking at one. I am used to timber stocks, so will need to have a look at the balance of the Tikka synthetic to see what it is like. I suspect all the happy owners I hear about can't be wrong. In order to match his purpose of foxes, dogs and the odd pig, I reckon the 1:8 barrel will be the best option, to allow using the larger projectiles available in .223, mainly 60gn and upwards.

.223 suits him well, as his blocks of land are small, and he is used to the .222. So we will stick with the .223 rather than anything larger. So that leaves the question of what ammo to use. First up, some factory loads would be good. I can handload for him if necessary, but a good factory load will provide cases for later on, and be an easy start up. But only if they are suitable. I have no experience with the .223 myself. Here is the factory load short list.

Hornady TAP with a 60gn V max
Federal Power Shock 64gn SP
Federal Premium V Shock 60gn Nosler Partition

Any opinion on this lot for suitability of round for the game, and for accuracy in the T3 with the 1:8 barrel?

If you think they are all rubbish, how about a favourite handload of yours instead?

Cheers,
Shayne
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Re: .223 Projectile for larger game.

Post by SCJ429 » 04 Mar 2019, 6:13 pm

The Tikka Varmint is an excellent choice, the 1:8 shoots 69 to 80 grain pills extremely well. The 1:12 version will put 55 grain ZMax into a 1/4 inch hole at 100.
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Re: .223 Projectile for larger game.

Post by GQshayne » 04 Mar 2019, 7:37 pm

SCJ429 wrote:The Tikka Varmint is an excellent choice, the 1:8 shoots 69 to 80 grain pills extremely well. The 1:12 version will put 55 grain ZMax into a 1/4 inch hole at 100.


It certainly has a good reputation, so I think we have him on the right track with it.
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Re: .223 Projectile for larger game.

Post by SCJ429 » 04 Mar 2019, 8:01 pm

I have a 1:8 because I want to shoot 80 grain Bergers but a friend has the 1:12. I cannot shoot 50 or 55 like he can, the best I can do is .7 or on a good day the odd .6. Good enough to shoot goats, biggest goat was over 80 kilos but it was a brain shot. I have hit plenty in the heart lung with a 55 ZMax and they have dropped every time. What are you looking to shoot with the 223?
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Re: .223 Projectile for larger game.

Post by marksman » 04 Mar 2019, 8:13 pm

these pigs were shot with Australian outback 223 55gr seirra blitzkings
http://www.outbackammo.com.au/223-rem-5 ... blitzking/

Image

I do think it's a good idea to go for a heavier pill but if you are close enough I wouldn't think about it to much :drinks:
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Re: .223 Projectile for larger game.

Post by GQshayne » 04 Mar 2019, 9:30 pm

Yeah, I reckon most stuff shot with the .223 would be with 55's. But, there is plenty of discussion on this forum about using it for larger stuff such as pigs and big feral dogs too. General consensus is that for this game, a larger projectile of heavier construction is a better option, and in the .223 projectiles over 55 grain are best stabilised with the 1:8 barrel. I am inclined to use the 60- 65 grain stuff of good construction, like a Nosler Partition for example, rather than a heavier cup and core projectile, to try and retain as good a trajectory as possible. No point slowing it down more than we have to.
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Re: .223 Projectile for larger game.

Post by SCJ429 » 05 Mar 2019, 6:57 am

You will have no problem using a 55 grain Vmax or Blitzking on the biggest dogs. Big pigs can be much tougher if you shoot them shoulder area. They have a fibrous skin or shield which can stop these highly frangable bullets from penetrating. If you keep your distances short and place your shots you will do OK.
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Re: .223 Projectile for larger game.

Post by bigfellascott » 05 Mar 2019, 5:04 pm

GQshayne wrote:
SCJ429 wrote:The Tikka Varmint is an excellent choice, the 1:8 shoots 69 to 80 grain pills extremely well. The 1:12 version will put 55 grain ZMax into a 1/4 inch hole at 100.


It certainly has a good reputation, so I think we have him on the right track with it.


Why go a Varmint, it's not like he's shooting shot after shot with it, most like 1 shot here and there or 2 at the most so no point in him lugging around a heavy rifle that will be a bit harder to shoot off hand to some degree compared to a standard tikka.
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Re: .223 Projectile for larger game.

Post by bigfellascott » 05 Mar 2019, 5:05 pm

Go a 55gn in the Sierra Game King - they really are a great projectile to killing things with.
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Re: .223 Projectile for larger game.

Post by albat » 05 Mar 2019, 7:15 pm

The hornady TAP 60gr v max you mentioned is a good round for the price i think about $13, my mini action puts them in the same hole or near on and has dropped deer pigs and goats without issue under 150 metres
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Re: .223 Projectile for larger game.

Post by GQshayne » 05 Mar 2019, 7:49 pm

Thanks for the input fellas. I am going to have a look at a Tikka on Saturday hopefully, so will see how the Varmint suits the purpose. It seems to be ideal for the graziers use, being vehicle or quad, so I will see how it compares to my old Tikka.
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Re: .223 Projectile for larger game.

Post by deye243 » 05 Mar 2019, 7:55 pm

When you start to load your brass I recommend the speer 70g it is a very tough pill for a 223r and cheap to boot ......
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Re: .223 Projectile for larger game.

Post by GQshayne » 05 Mar 2019, 8:02 pm

deye243 wrote:When you start to load your brass I recommend the speer 70g it is a very tough pill for a 223r and cheap to boot ......


Yeah I saw that in another thread on here. What do you use it on? What twist is your barrel?
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Re: .223 Projectile for larger game.

Post by deye243 » 05 Mar 2019, 8:36 pm

1:12 they shoot ok at .75 as they are a semi Spitzer just drive them hard it is easy to get them to 3100fps with 2208 and goats and pigs don't like them . Bc isn't real good but they are good out to 200y .
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Re: .223 Projectile for larger game.

Post by GQshayne » 05 Mar 2019, 9:05 pm

Righto, thanks.
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Re: .223 Projectile for larger game.

Post by xDom » 06 Mar 2019, 4:27 pm

I've got a Tikka T3 Varmint 1:12. As a previous poster said, it's not light. I'm thinking of getting another .223 with a light barrel for when I'm hiking around.
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Re: .223 Projectile for larger game.

Post by RoginaJack » 07 Mar 2019, 9:17 pm

IMHO, if pigs are involved, I'd start at a 243Win. This will handle the dogs and foxes as well.

The mate uses a 270Win and 130 gr projectiles on dogs and has had a few come up the barrel trying to give him a love bite.
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Re: .223 Projectile for larger game.

Post by booomr » 08 Mar 2019, 5:26 pm

I use Aussie Outback 69gr Sierra HPBT Match Kings.

They're good fun.
Howa 1500 .223 Varmint
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Re: .223 Projectile for larger game.

Post by SCJ429 » 08 Mar 2019, 5:59 pm

I find that the SMK often pencils through soft things like foxes. How have you found them?
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Re: .223 Projectile for larger game.

Post by booomr » 08 Mar 2019, 6:02 pm

If I'm after foxes, I go for a smaller projectile - usually anywhere from 55-60gr. Goats and pigs, though, the 69gr works a treat!

I did accidentally shoot a bunny with an SMK though...
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Re: .223 Projectile for larger game.

Post by GQshayne » 10 Mar 2019, 8:59 pm

Well after having a look at a T3 and the T3 Varmint, there is no doubt the Varmint is a heavy lump of a rifle. For a rifle to be carried in the field, it is a bit much I reckon, as some of you have mentioned. However, for the intended purpose for our grazier friend, we think it is a very good option. Theses rifles are nowhere to be found new at the moment in our area, with the distributor not holding any stock, so we looked at a second hand unit to assist with our decision. In the end the second hand unit was in good condition, with the optional set trigger, and a lot cheaper than a new one, so we purchased it on his behalf. The scope we had decided to get for him is a Meopta Meostar 2-12x50 Illuminated, so one of those has been ordered as well.

Ammo has been decided, and Winchester 64gn Silvertips will be tried first up. So we will see how they group in this rifle, and how they work in the field. We can reload something with heavier construction if needed. This load is one recommended by Don Caswell (shooting writer) as one suitable for dogs, as he targets them a lot with a .223. We will see. Personally, I have a .243 for this, but the .223 serves a few uses for our friend.

Geez, I hope he likes it. :roll:
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Re: .223 Projectile for larger game.

Post by AZZA'S HJ47 » 10 Mar 2019, 10:25 pm

Love my tikka t3x Super Varmint great rifle cant miss with the thing it works perfectly on the top of a ute doing the rounds on a property. I have shot under a inch at 200 with both the Sierra tmks and the hpbt in the 69g proj. I have found there not to great of a projectile if looking for expansion. However the ability to head shoot things between 2-300 meters makes up for this. I just wish someone would produce a 69g vmax or gameking as ive found the shoot the best. I have recently looked at the 62g hornady TAP and have found they seem to be working well also at simler distances not quite as good but capable.
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Re: .223 Projectile for larger game.

Post by xDom » 15 Mar 2019, 7:33 pm

AZZA'S HJ47 wrote:Love my tikka t3x Super Varmint great rifle cant miss with the thing it works perfectly on the top of a ute doing the rounds on a property. I have shot under a inch at 200 with both the Sierra tmks and the hpbt in the 69g proj. I have found there not to great of a projectile if looking for expansion. However the ability to head shoot things between 2-300 meters makes up for this. I just wish someone would produce a 69g vmax or gameking as ive found the shoot the best. I have recently looked at the 62g hornady TAP and have found they seem to be working well also at simler distances not quite as good but capable.

Have you got the 1:8 twist barrel? That's what you need for the 69g rounds? I bought the 1:12 T3x Varmint, I should've done more homework before my purchase.
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Re: .223 Projectile for larger game.

Post by AZZA'S HJ47 » 15 Mar 2019, 10:39 pm

xDom wrote:
AZZA'S HJ47 wrote:Love my tikka t3x Super Varmint great rifle cant miss with the thing it works perfectly on the top of a ute doing the rounds on a property. I have shot under a inch at 200 with both the Sierra tmks and the hpbt in the 69g proj. I have found there not to great of a projectile if looking for expansion. However the ability to head shoot things between 2-300 meters makes up for this. I just wish someone would produce a 69g vmax or gameking as ive found the shoot the best. I have recently looked at the 62g hornady TAP and have found they seem to be working well also at simler distances not quite as good but capable.

Have you got the 1:8 twist barrel? That's what you need for the 69g rounds? I bought the 1:12 T3x Varmint, I should've done more homework before my purchase.


Yes mate 1-8 twist it loves the heavier stuff shoots 55gr super roos really well also 69gr however is the go to for the rifle. I have also shot the 80gr amax and found that if i want to punch them out past 300 they are the go to. Love the rifle
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Re: .223 Projectile for larger game.

Post by SCJ429 » 16 Mar 2019, 8:06 am

xDom wrote:
AZZA'S HJ47 wrote:Love my tikka t3x Super Varmint great rifle cant miss .

Have you got the 1:8 twist barrel? That's what you need for the 69g rounds? I bought the 1:12 T3x Varmint, I should've done more homework before my purchase.


What do you want to do with your 1:12 Tikka? Your rifle should shoot 50 or 55 grain projectiles extremely well out to 300 metres. Unless you want to shoot 70 to 80 grain bullets, where you need the 1:8, I think the 1:12 is a better choice.
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Re: .223 Projectile for larger game.

Post by xDom » 16 Mar 2019, 7:00 pm

SCJ429 wrote:
xDom wrote:
AZZA'S HJ47 wrote:Love my tikka t3x Super Varmint great rifle cant miss .

Have you got the 1:8 twist barrel? That's what you need for the 69g rounds? I bought the 1:12 T3x Varmint, I should've done more homework before my purchase.


What do you want to do with your 1:12 Tikka? Your rifle should shoot 50 or 55 grain projectiles extremely well out to 300 metres. Unless you want to shoot 70 to 80 grain bullets, where you need the 1:8, I think the 1:12 is a better choice.


I only started shooting about 9 months ago, first off with a 22LR then I decided to get the 223. I headed down to the long distance range but was told that they mostly shoot out to 1000 yards and the 1:12 isn't suitable. I've taken it out fox shooting on foot and found it to be quite heavy to carry around ( being a heavy barrel ) so I went back to taking the .22.
I feel as though possibly I've bought something that's neither here nor there.
I've got a 4 day trip coming up in May ( foxes and bunnies ) and I'll take it with me then and make a decision after that.
More than likely I'll end up keeping it and buying other rifles that are suited to whatever aspect of shooting I find myself gravitating towards. I am annoyed at myself that I didn't do more research before so I could make an informed decision.
Regardless, it is a high quality rifle that I'm sure will suit a need at some point.
On the small game hunting forum I started a thread on calibres between 22LR and .223, I'm getting a few suggestions from the crowd.
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Re: .223 Projectile for larger game.

Post by AZZA'S HJ47 » 16 Mar 2019, 7:11 pm

55g pill mate, i have shot some large feralsw
With this bullet if you can shoot around a inch at 100 mate you will do will in the field. And yes a tad heavy for walking around with.
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