Home Forums Reloading Varmint Rifles low-power .223 loads/deer loads?

hello, im getting into reloading and wanted to work up some squirrel loads that will not 'slode the squirrel in question. My rifle is a H&R Handi in .223rem, it has a 1:12 twist and a 22inch barrel. I want to get about 1000-1200 fps with a 35grn-55grn bullet. OK, for deer, I already have some 60grn Hornady spire points on order. My main question is what KIND of powder should I use? As for how much, i'm going to rely on trial and error, hopefully more trial than error. btw, i'm looking for the cheapest powder that will get the job done. Thanks and sorry for the long post.

If keeping squirrels intact is what you want, the 45 Spitzer Sierra Varminter (#1310) at lower speeds is the way to do it. It's a harder cored bullet intended for high velocities and doesn't come undone anywhere near what a 40 V-Max or BT does, or even like the 40 Sierra HP. I suspect Blue Dot might be part of a low speed recipe for this. (I shoot the 45 SP with Lil' Gun in my 218 Bee, and it works well in similar applications to what you intend.) Seafire is the guy with the Blue Dot data for 223 and just about anything else. It might even work for 60 grainers.

13.8 grs of SR4759 with any 50gr bullet your rifle shoots well.

thanks guys, all good info. what about some deer loads? BTW, if anyone wants to shun me because it's unethical to use a .223 for deer, go to Google and search for something like ".223 Nosler Partition vs. deer" and get back to me. just wanted to get that out of the way from the get-go. happy posting.

I recently wrote a piece (as yet unpublished) about low-powered .223 loads. For rimfire-equivalent loads I used gas-checked 55-gr cast bullets (the RCBS 55 FN). I also chose TiteGroup powder because it designed to be position insensitive. Mil brass and WSR primer. 2.5 TG gave me 1050 fps and 0.6-inch groups at 50 yards. It would be hard to beat as a squirrel load.

Sorry to hijack your thread but, as your rifle is single shot why don't you use sub caliber reducer like the Lothar Walther ones (exist also some US made models saw advertising in a past issue of Rifle/Handloader). You can have them in 22LR, 22Mag and 22Hornet. They are vary accurate (i use 2 in a TC Contender, 22lr and mag)and you could use a wide panel of ammo.

Just an idea.
Dom

There is some info here https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbth.../Re_Hornet_loads_for_the_223#Post5179948 for loads for the 223.

wrighting frog,
great idea, iv'e been looking for one of those for a while, but couldn't find anything but those .22 pellet ones that use a #209 primer. if you would, please tell me where and how much for a .22 and .22mag. this is great. with the money i save from not using up my brass and bullets, i can afford better deer loads till i can get my xl7.

like2shoot,
thanks, always good info on 24hour.

Look here http://www.mcace.com/adapters.htm

For squirrels - 34gr Midway Dogtown with a case full of TrailBoss at about 2200 fps.

For deer - 63gr Sierra Semi Point and H4895 at about 3000fps.

Add a nice 50gr load doing 3400fps in the middle of the two loads above, and you are all set to demonstrate the versatility of the 223 without adapters or inserts.

here is a link to a good article on low power 223 loads.

Look in the articles section und "To Bee or 223"

http://www.jamescalhoon.com/

erich

Rocky, What bullet lube did you use for your testing?

thank you all. I'm very happy with all the replys.

I didn't cast or lube those bullets; they were donated to me for the article. So I don't know what the lube is. It's a kind of gold/tan color and is soft to my fingernail. Hope that helps.

Alox...I'm guessing...