Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles 223 bolt action

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I would get a 223 set up same as your main hunting rifle. Same stock, same scope, approximately the same way so the training easily carries over your primary rifle.

I've got a Ruger American predator model it is an 8 twist takes AR mags and that's a lot of accuracy for the money

I need to work up a handload with the Hornady 75 or 80 grain ELD-Match bullet. No doubt it could play well at 1000 yards with either of those bullets.

Here’s my write up:

I’ve been searching for quite some time for a better load for my 1-8” Tikka Superlite .223. My go-to load, named Pest Control, features a 50 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip Varmint at 3400 fps at the muzzle. Scary accurate! The problem is the ballistic coefficient. At just .238 this bullet drifts off like a 14 year old boy in math class. Shooting at marmots in any kind of wind is a learning experience.

So I tried Nosler’s 69 grain Custom Competition, 70 grain RDF, 80 grain ELD Match (ELDM), and maybe a couple others. Different powders, primers, COAL, you name it. Nothing shot even close to Pest Control.

Then I started researching the 75 ELDM with a BC of .467. Using my Mountain Tactical magazines I could load into the lands if I wanted. So that’s where I started.

*****THE FOLLOWING LOAD DATA IS SAFE IN MY RIFLE, NOT YOURS. START LOW AND WORK UP TO PUBLISHED MAXIMUMS*****

I found load data online suggesting 25.5 grains of Varget as the max. Utilizing the Sharpie method I got square land marks at 1.932”. I selected three seating depths and three powder charges, and loaded 5 rounds of each. The BTO lengths were 1.930”, 1.915”, and 1.899”. The Varget charges were 25.5, 25.0, and 24.5 grains.



I chronoed the 1.930” lengths and got 2976 fps at 25.5, 2916 at 25.0, and 2873 at 24.5 grains. Then it was off to the range.

The longer loads shot consistently better. I won’t bore everyone with the details, but I found a fairly good load.

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Five shots you can cover with a nickel.


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Even with a penny.


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I think I’ll load a few more.






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Since the election, I havent shot nearly as much as I normally do, mainly trying to ensure I have/keep enough components on hand. I'm growing weary of playing that game - so am considering alternatives. The 223/5.56 comes to mind. Ammo seems readily available and reasonably inexpensive.

So - in the 223/5.56, what rifles come to mind? I'd prefer a Kimber of some sort but they apparently dont chamber a 223 any longer in any of their offerings. Plus, I'm not keen on spending $10-1500 on a rifle that will get shot with all manner of ammo, plus alot of it.

The Ruger Ranch and American come in 223, Howa has one, as does Savage and TC. Rem has one but seem to be scarce and fetch a premium dollar.

Anyone shooting a 223 for the same reasons? Pros/cons of cheaper bolt actions?

Ruger American Predator here. I plussed it up with a Magpul Hunter stock, and the Magpul AICS 223 10-round magazines.

Not to hijack the thread, but as the AICS magazine setup on the Magpul stock a drop in for the Ruger American Barrelled action?

Yup.

What is your main hunting rifle?
I would get a 223 set up same as your main hunting rifle. Same stock, same scope, approximately the same way so the training easily carries over your primary rifle.

I have 3 Tikkas in .223. One 1-10,” a stainless T3 Lite, and two in 1-8,” both heavy barreled Varmint models. One is a stainless T3, the other is a blued T3x.

I’ve only shot handloads so I can’t comment on factory ammo accuracy, but these rifles are scary accurate. If you don’t mind heavy find a Varmint model.

CZ Model 527, mini Mauser, CRF, 5 and 10 round clips, 1/9 twist.

Trac Toric 2x10x42.

A very sweet little tack driving machine. Loves 55-72 grainers.