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I did not test any bigger bullets as I feel that those tested would be represent the best potential with the powder.444, I noticed your first try with H4895 was with a 16" barrel. The way I saw much better penetration and more damage in wood, at the lower range velocities, 2200 to 2700 fps, this would make a good deer load in many parts of the USA, and recoil is minimal. They make a 45 grain, 50 grain and 53 grain bullet. I am just passing on that I saw potential merit in the application.ĥ.Ělthough one has to weigh out the potential of Plastic Tipped Varmint bullets on bigger game like deer and antelope, some of these loads in real life use, utilizing Barnes’s X bullets in 22 caliber I can recommend. This is a decision any shooter will have to test on his own and make their own decisions. Just like my observations in the larger calibers, the plastic tipped bullet seem to do a lot more damage, at velocities under 2700 fps. The penetration of the 40 grain Vmax into the tree did make me ponder the use of those plastic tip varmint rounds as potential loads for small deer for youth shooters. Since the powder is burned cleanly in the first 10 to 12 inches of barrel, the shorter barrels are not handicappiing velocity in the lighter shorter rifles.Ĥ. I learned some significant items beyond the versatility of the 223 with the bullets tested, but focusing on its use in the field, got some ideas.Ģ.Ě light rifle such as a Winchester Featherweight or Rugers Compact model with a 16.5 inch barrel or the Ultra Light with a 20 inch barrel would make a good combo with the use of Blue Dot.ģ. The penetration stopped at the 5 grain load.ġ. However at 10 grains and less, the bullets penetrated thru the tree and did a large amount of damage ( like turning the wood into tooth picks) on the exit side of the tree. The 40 grain Vmax loads failed to penetrate the tree at loads above 10 grs, above 2771 fps. The diameter of the tree was measured at 5 inches.ģ. It was noted but not considered part of the testing, with a tree used as a back stop for some of the testing, that all bullets ( 45 to 55 grains)penetrated thru the tree at a distance of 20 yds.Ģ. ( No sounding like a rim fire any more)ġ. An increase in noise level was very noticeable above 7 grains, but still very acceptable. Noise level on the lighter loads ( 4 to 6 grains) were on par with a rim fire. These would be ideal for young shooters being trained.ĥ. The recoil on the lighter loads using 4 to 6 grains of powder had minimal recoil if any at all. I do not believe that their would be a significant difference in the use of a 55 grain bullet vs a 60 grain bullet.Ĥ. Heavier bullets will not serve any purpose unless a 223 is to be used for deer hunting. IN the evaluation of the 223, I came further to the conclusion of the versatility of the 223 in the use of training new shooters, and for a very versatile varmint caliber.Ģ.Ğssentially the 223 can be loaded to the specs of a 22 Long rifle, a 218 Bee, a 221 Fireball, a 222 Remington, a 22 Hornet, and a 22 Win Mag., while allowing the shooter to be able to pick the type of bullet that he prefers.ģ.ěullets were limited to use of 35 grains to 55 grains. Sierra 52 grain Boattail Hollow Point Matchġ. Weather: Sunny, NO clouds, 80 degrees, NO wind,ġ5 grs: NO Reading, Too hot, Extractor Marks, Scrapped Case Rifle Used: Ruger 77 Mk 2, VT 26 inch Barrel, Stainless Steel First yr ModelĬase: Lake City Surplus, previously firedĬharge Weight Tested: 4 grains to 14 grains. I found this a few years ago but havnt found any blue dot yet.
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