40gr loads for 223

[matt20]

I am looking for a 40gr load using Nosler BT or Hornady Vmax's in my Tikka Varmint 223 1:12 twist rate......will mainly be used on foxes. Have worked up a load for 50 & 53gr Vmax's with 2206H which shoots well. Have got BM2, 2208 and 2206H to choose from so just seeking advice from those who have worked up some loads using 40gr projectiles. Do they blow up inside the fox or still put a fair exit wound on them?

[deye243]

Bm2 may be quick enough for a fast load .
Back when I was doing this i was using 2207 but can't remember the load just the speed at close to 3800fps and my rem700 digested 700 of them without any problems cases lasted 6 loads

[bigrich]

i'd go bm2 out of what you have. i ran 2205 in a 222 with 40 vmax. shot like a lazer to 200 .although i think as deye says 2207 would be a good powder for 223

[matt20]

On the ADI website they say starting loads at 25gr up to 27.5gr with both the 22206H and BM2 so will go up in 0.5gr incriments and see how I go. I have worked up a 53gr Vmax loads with 2206H which shoots sub MOA at 100m so will experiment with the 40gr Vmax and BT and see how i fair. Got a few months before fox season is in full swing....

[bigrich]

On the ADI website they say starting loads at 25gr up to 27.5gr with both the 22206H and BM2 so will go up in 0.5gr incriments and see how I go. I have worked up a 53gr Vmax loads with 2206H which shoots sub MOA at 100m so will experiment with the 40gr Vmax and BT and see how i fair. Got a few months before fox season is in full swing....

i've no doubt you'll find a reasonable load with the adi data and slower powder, but a quicker powder will likely give better accuracy and burn cleaner . especially with a light for calibre projectile . let us know how you go

[deye243]

My experience with 40gr pills and 06h is you can't physically put enough of it in a case to get top velocity or anything that resembles a hot load that was with Winchester and Remington brass it's just too slow and it's pretty much the same with a 50 grain pill it's starts becoming useful with a 55 on up to 80 grains

[Maxjon]

This is something i have wanted to know about too,,,I have often wondered if the magic 4000fps is obtainable form the 223 with the 40gn...or 35gn even....Damn im thinking of a sheep rifle now....my local dealer has a couple of Ruger Mk2 targets in 223 that could be worth a look...

[CJRBOLTGUN1]

I used to load 36 grainers in my 223 with 2207, was stupid fast, but was torture to the ears and the gun, went away from light pills and have stuck with 55gr ever since

[deye243]

This is something i have wanted to know about too,,,I have often wondered if the magic 4000fps is obtainable form the 223 with the 40gn...or 35gn even....Damn im thinking of a sheep rifle now....my local dealer has a couple of Ruger Mk2 targets in 223 that could be worth a look...

In the right rifle 4000 is achievable with the 35 grain projectile from Hornady problem is it's pointless the 40 grain vmax or Ballistic Tip beats it at about 180 yards because the 35 grainer bullet profile has an absolute crap BC and nearly slows down as fast as it took off

[Maxjon]

This is something i have wanted to know about too,,,I have often wondered if the magic 4000fps is obtainable form the 223 with the 40gn...or 35gn even....Damn im thinking of a sheep rifle now....my local dealer has a couple of Ruger Mk2 targets in 223 that could be worth a look...

In the right rifle 4000 is achievable with the 35 grain projectile from Hornady problem is it's pointless the 40 grain vmax or Ballistic Tip beats it at about 180 yards because the 35 grainer bullet profile has an absolute crap BC and nearly slows down as fast as it took off

Yeah I thought that be the case with the 35gn....