Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Long Range Hunting Bullets for longer range work in .223/5.56

I know two folks that have a 90 deer per annum state of Florida agricultural predation permit, beteeen them, for peanut fields here in NW FL. They use fast twist barreled 223 Rem 700s with 80 SMKs and VN powder to 800 yards. They have built two heavy wood picnic tables that are setup with sand bags, spotting scopes and 32x scopes with repetitive windage and elevation adjustments. They also use range cards nailed to stakes set at 50 yard increments on both sides of the fields with wind ribbons and laser range finders. The 80 SMK at 800 yards wii, according to the two shooters, penetrate end to end on a WT deer. They are not sport shooters at all. And under FL law all predation animals must be tagged immediately then turned in to specific receiving points, for distribution as meat for state food banks, predation game animals can not be kept by the permit holders. Now small predation permitted areas anre allowed for shooters to keep some animals, on recent changes.

This shooting deer with a 223 and heavy bullets is in line with the subject. Only noted for information.

The 80 SMK is a Goat Fhuqk. Hint……….

Yeah, I was just curious. I’m a couple dozen deer/bears deep with 75 Amax’s ala 223AI, and have a “few” on hand to tide me over. Haven’t shot anything with them in a twist faster than 1:9 though. Or faster than 2900 and change.

Preaching to the choir here… The three 223AI’s built in the last 18 months (2 Faux Ti’s and a rebarrel on my Montana) are all twisted 1:7.
I’m only 2 moose and a good bear deep so far, and a buddy smashed a good muley at distance with 88’s. Zero complaints on terminal performance and bone breaking abilities.

Almost wondering if I neeeeed a 22 Creed though….

It's counterintuitive to some,how "less",really is MORE. The 223/88 melding is simply fhuqking sensational,because one can't drive it fast enough,to get into trouble up close on Big Critters and less than ideal angles. They dig nicely and reliably. hint.

As impact velocities increase,there are diminishing returns in those regards. I think I have (7) Speedmires now and LOVE everything about them,but they are tougher on cup/cores,than chamberings of less case capacity. The 88 is my default in most of them,though I've a couple set up expressly for 90gr Beer Cans. I have them in 7,7.5 and 8",all of which 88. Hint.

I've shot jaziliions of 75 'Max/ELD's in 7,7.5.7.7,8 and 9",via 22-250AI's and Speedmires,with 3500fps being the typical ceiling. No doubt they hammer schit,but I find 88's even warmer/fuzzier,which THE highest of praise. Hint.

A recent 7" Montucky Speedmire has jumped to a FAVORITE and will be tough to leave setting idle. If I can make a Nightfarce 2.5-10x track/repeat and hold zero,it'll get the call. Hint................

I think you do.

The 77TMKs shoot well in my Montana (sub MOA) but I’ve only shot them to 100 yards. They’re worth a try.

Kodiakhntr what barrel did you use to rebarrel your Montana? Did they match the original contour, and if so, how close was the match?

Thanks.

Frank

Frank,

Kodiak might be using Canuk barrels but I'm curious to hear his reply as well.

I've used 2 of liljas kimber contour dupes and they were spot on. One from x caliber and one from rock creek were close but a little heavier.

I’ve Montucky dupes with PN,Rock,Bart’,Brux and Lilja. No biggy to simply replicate OEM contour and lose some shank. Hint.

Just sayin’………..

That's what I've done lately too Stick. Greg usually has a barrel that will work. Plus Shaen just loves to recontour them for me.

Dude is correct. K. S. Arms out of Edmonton.

Frank, as near as I can tell putting it side by side with the one that was pulled off it is absolutely identical. I didn’t put a caliper on it to look that close, but length/contour is bang on.

‘Stick, I *almost* forgot why that little Montana was my favoritest rifle ever, but as soon as it came back from the ‘smith it was real evident once again that it’s The One.

I’ll try to shoot for a coupla days,before I make a cast,so I don’t get sidetracked. Hint.

Need to stretch out the newest Montuckies and am yarding yet another 8” 223 S/S Teeker home. Hint……….

Tikka….. never thought I’d see the day….(grin)

I only have (5) in 8” 223. They should be 7”,but when sipping from CTR mags,they make sound Loaners. Fixin’ to be a herd for The Spring Fling and I took the month of April off. Hint.

There will be a bunch more 223’s pointed at Mooseses,after that dust settles. Hint.

Good times. Hint……………..(grin)

GOPHER GUNS?!?!? For MOOSES?!?!?






I hear good things……(grin)

An inch or so off the shank?

Good timing on this thread for me.

I have been playing with a Lilja barreled .223 (7 twist) in a 700 and an AR15 with a 7 twist as well. I get to stretch their legs out to 900yds at the end of March so I will be doing a lot of shooting until then. It has been fun working on paper with the 75grELDM, and a couple of Berger's offerings...a 75gr VLD and a 85.5gr Hybrid. It sounds like I need to grab a box of 88s too. I have only worked with CFE223 powder so far but I have Varget, H322, H335, I4895, A2230, A2460 and LeverRevolution currently on the shelf.

Any suggestions on which powder(s) to try next?

Gopher Guns for everything,mainly because folks tend to shoot best with same and placement matters more than a "smidge". Hint.(grin)

I get asked fhuqking near daily about "Bear Pistols" and I'm a proponent of hits,not misses,thus my 22LR affinity for same. I've stomped/lived everywhere the Scary Schit lurks and have yet to see a Bear lead with something other than it's head. Heads are big to boot and there ain't much to it. Proficiency can't be purchased and there's a connection to wares that are FUN to shoot,seeing the most trigger time. It is hardly a "fluke",to do better than very well with said wares. Hint.

As to Shankology,I'm happy to skin 'em back and inch don't aspook me none. Hint.

As 223,223AI,270,22 PPC AFI,243 Grendel,6 ARC,22 BR and 6 BR go,my powder preference is:

1) Lever'
2) Lever'
3) Lever'

And roughly in that fhuqking order,in dozens of spouts. Hint...............

AAC 77gr OTM has been working for me. Getting slightly better performance than IMI 77gr for 60% of the cost.