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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 47,293 Likes: 18
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 47,293 Likes: 18 |
God bless Texas----------------------- Old 300 I will remain what i am until the day I die- A HUNTER......Sitting Bull Its not how you pick the booger.. but where you put it !! Roger V Hunter
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,134 Likes: 10
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,134 Likes: 10 |
Just about anything works and everything has worked, for someone. Smallest cartridge I have used is the .223 handloaded with a 55gn Sierra with the largest being a .460 Weatherby handloaded with 500gn Hornady's. Everything in between worked, with the 7x57 being as emphatic as any.
Last edited by AussieGunWriter; 01/02/20. Reason: Misspelled "Hornady" for the very 1st time
When truth is ignored, it does not change an untruth from remaining a lie.
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 8,243 Likes: 20
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 8,243 Likes: 20 |
This one and one of her pals caught a couple 77TMKs yesterday morning. 18” 7TW PSA, range pickup brass fueled with Leverlution and CCI 41s.
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,249 Likes: 14
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,249 Likes: 14 |
+1 I bought a thousand surplus 62 gr. Fusion bullets from Rocky Mtn. Reloading for a good price. They're more accurate than the 64 gr BSB, terminal performance similar. We've killed our share of piggies with FMJ 17 HMR ammo. They work better than one would think. Last one I killed was with a 75 gr SSII out of my fast twist .22-204. DRT. Hit'em right, they die. DF
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Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 803
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 803 |
I use the Sierra 65 gr GK these days. I’ve been really impressed with that bullet on hogs, and it isn’t just the CNS shots that work. I shot two big hogs last week, one at 190 pounds and one at 200 pounds. I didn’t have a good angle on the bigger one, so I went for an angled shot, low, hoping to get the heart. I even got an exit with that one. The little bullet goes deep.
For years I argued against using a 223 on deer, but that bullet has changed my mind.
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,249 Likes: 14
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 37,249 Likes: 14 |
I use the Sierra 65 gr GK these days. I’ve been really impressed with that bullet on hogs, and it isn’t just the CNS shots that work. I shot two big hogs last week, one at 190 pounds and one at 200 pounds. I didn’t have a good angle on the bigger one, so I went for an angled shot, low, hoping to get the heart. I even got an exit with that one. The little bullet goes deep.
For years I argued against using a 223 on deer, but that bullet has changed my mind. This Mini 14 likes them. I know, three shot group... DF
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 6,858 Likes: 3
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 6,858 Likes: 3 |
Anyone know how the 63 SMP compares to the 65 GK in terms of terminal performance?
Last edited by southtexas; 01/03/20.
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Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 803
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 803 |
Funny you should ask. For a time I loaded the 63 gr Sierra SMP, but just punched paper with it. But one day a buddy and I got invited on a pig hunt down near Victoria, Texas. The buddy didn’t have a rifle, so I loaned him my 220 Swift tang safety rifle and some 63 gr ammo. It was the only extra rifle I had back then. He and I were in high seats in the back of a Jeep when a bunch of hogs came running by. The buddy shot the big one, and that hog dug a trench with his chin. He shot a few more when we were there and didn’t lose a one. Just for info, I had the bullet moving at about 3300 FPS.
When the 65 gr GK came available, I called Sierra to get some load data. I was told to use the loading data for the 63 gr bullet, due to the bullets having the same bearing surface. But, it wouldn’t stabilize in the 220, so I parked the bullets in the workshop. Later, when I got a 223, I used the Nosler Partition bullet, but accuracy was only Ok. So I dragged out the 65 gr GKs and found great accuracy with A2230 and H335. And, since every time I went coyote hunting, pigs would show up, I thought I’d try it on the pigs. And it worked great. FYI, I load it to about 3000 FPS, over H335.
Probably more info than needed, but there it is anyway.
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 78,307 Likes: 2
Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 78,307 Likes: 2 |
Anyone know how the 63 SMP compares to the 65 GK in terms of terminal performance? No help there, cause Ive never used the 65 SGK...been so satisfied with the 63SMP felt no need to change. Killed my biggest hog with the 63SMP out of a .223..
"...the left considers you vermin, and they'll kill you given the chance..." Bristoe
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 6,858 Likes: 3
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 6,858 Likes: 3 |
Thanks for the intel, gents. The 63s shoot lights out in my 225Win, but I've never been brave enough to try them on deer, due to the fact that Sierra labels them as a varmint bullet. But I keep reading here on the 'fire how well they work. Guess I'll screw up some courage and give 'em a shot.
Recently acquired an AR for hog eradication work. It does real well with both the 63s and the 65s. Sounds like I can use them interchangeably.
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 7,263
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 7,263 |
Didn't see anyone recommend the 55 Hornaday. It has been good out of a 223 for deer and hogs, on deer I usually get pass through s hogs it just depends on the shot. I like a CNS shot if possible but the Hornadays are fine for lung shots. For shoulder shots I would pick something tougher but the Hornaday worked for this too. All the bullets mentioned are good of the ones I have tried. The Nosler bonded performance solid base is a good choice for come as they may follow up shots as it will work from most angles. If you see these on sale at the Shooters Pro Shop well worth a try.
"When you disarm the people, you commence to offend them and show that you distrust them either through cowardice or lack of confidence, and both of these opinions generate hatred." Niccolo Machiavelli
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 78,307 Likes: 2
Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 78,307 Likes: 2 |
Yep...the basic 55 gr. Hornady works....at least out of a .222!
"...the left considers you vermin, and they'll kill you given the chance..." Bristoe
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 152,704 Likes: 53
Campfire Savant
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Campfire Savant
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 152,704 Likes: 53 |
The 223 is perfect for pigs.
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 13,534 Likes: 4
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 13,534 Likes: 4 |
This one and one of her pals caught a couple 77TMKs yesterday morning. 18” 7TW PSA, range pickup brass fueled with Leverlution and CCI 41s. Do you have any problems with powder fouling in the AR using Leverevolution?
Dog I rescued in January
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 8,243 Likes: 20
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 8,243 Likes: 20 |
This one and one of her pals caught a couple 77TMKs yesterday morning. 18” 7TW PSA, range pickup brass fueled with Leverlution and CCI 41s. Do you have any problems with powder fouling in the AR using Leverevolution? I don’t notice any more or less fouling than with CFE or TAC which are my two other 223 powders. Of course I usually get my AR out from behind the seat for a cleaning about once a year so I’m not really paying too close attention to fouling.
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 13,534 Likes: 4
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 13,534 Likes: 4 |
I used it some in my 6.5 Grendel and it was pretty dirty but that cartridge works at a lower pressure than the 223/5.56. I may try it as 26.0 grains under a 75 gr. HPBT shoots nicely in my bolt guns.
Dog I rescued in January
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