.223 Hollowpoint vs 55gr for target shooting

[JenRN]

Good afternoon. My boyfriend and I have been practicing a bunch with our new .223. The hollowpoint is off when we're shooting targets, we can tell how much, so we will be able to correct when we're hunting. But the question is, should we be practicing with hollowpoints when we're shooting targets? Or is that a waste?


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[Crippler7815]

Practicing with the bullet you'll be hunting with is never a bad idea. My buddy just got a new .270 marlin, and set his scope with a certain type of ammo. Grouped a half an inch at 100 yards dead center. Switched to a heavier grain and threw his pattern off 4 inches both down and right. Still grouped that same half an inch, but you don't want to have to account for a change like that in the 'heat of the moment'

 

[JenRN]

Good to know. We have a .270 also but I've recently fallen in love with this .223.
When hunting with a .223, are we right to use a hollow point rather than a standard 55gr (or similar)?


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[JenRN]

And thank you for the info btw!!!!


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[Crippler7815]

Mine has a 1-7 twist barrel so it'll stabilize a heavier bullet. I prefer to shoot a hard nose with a heavier grain so it doesn't mushroom and tear up the meat as much, plus, it's been more accurate in my opinion. 55 grain is still enough to drop a deer if you hit in the right spot though.

 

[RStewart]

60 Nosler Partition will work out to 100 yards.

 

[JenRN]

Well thank y'all for the info! His birthday is in Feb... So I'm trying to come up with some ideas. And since we like to go out to our property and shoot... Wanted to see what the best options are. (We just bought the .223 like 2 weeks ago, still getting a feel for it and working out the kinks!)


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[DangerClose3/5]

Just out of sheer curiosity what game are you intending to hunt and which .223 do you own.

 

[JenRN]

Ok. I'm new to all the specifics of gun stuff. (I can aim, shoot and I never miss - there ends my expertise! so I'm trying to learn! Thanks for your patience!) so forgive me if I don't say it all right! Lol!

It's a Remington and he originally bought it for deer.
But we were talking with a friend the other day who said he could probably also use it for hogs. But haven't tried it on any hog hunts yet! (In fact, neither of us have done a hog hunt ever! -Eek! - Don't laugh!)


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[DangerClose3/5]

Not laughing just trying to get some specifics to help y'all as much as possible. For hunting with a .223 I suggest using atleast a 60g projectile I like the sierra 65g gameking. I realize your a newbie and don't reload but I'd use a factory load 60+g with a good velocity and zero it with that. After that if you practice with a different bullet don't worry about change in impact but grouping / consistency. Is it a bolt action or semi auto ?

Just my .02

 

[candrews86]

Ok. I'm new to all the specifics of gun stuff. (I can aim, shoot and I never miss - there ends my expertise! so I'm trying to learn! Thanks for your patience!) so forgive me if I don't say it all right! Lol!

It's a Remington and he originally bought it for deer.
But we were talking with a friend the other day who said he could probably also use it for hogs. But haven't tried it on any hog hunts yet! (In fact, neither of us have done a hog hunt ever! -Eek! - Don't laugh!)


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Step......away......from......the......computer......

 

[spec50trout]

Have had fantastic accuracy results with 55gr Hornady V-Max. Mainly for varmint hunting.

Also, Hornady 55gr SP(soft point). Very accurate and more of a larger game hunting bullet.

Cabela's often has both of these available, online anyway.

Good reference for ammo. gunbot.net

 

[Magdump]

Good to know. We have a .270 also but I've recently fallen in love with this .223.
When hunting with a .223, are we right to use a hollow point rather than a standard 55gr (or similar)?


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if you have 1:7 twist or even 1:8 you should go with a heavier bullet for hunting hogs or deer for a little extra knockdown. After 62 grains ya just about need the faster 1:7 twist rate to have a true flying accurate bullet in that caliber.

 

[Magdump]

These are my all time favorite for bigger critters. 19.29 at midway right now. Over 2900fps, 75 grains of open tip goodness

 

[Swampman1]

I may be off the mark here, but my understanding is that it's illegal to hunt deer with a 22 caliber in La. Doesn't a .223 also fall into that category? Just curious.

 

[Laid Back]

I may be off the mark here, but my understanding is that it's illegal to hunt deer with a 22 caliber in La. Doesn't a .223 also fall into that category? Just curious.

22 rimfire is illegal. IIRC

 

[Swampman1]

22 rimfire is illegal. IIRC

Hmm OK. You may be right but I just don't see what rimfire or centerfire would have anything to do with it. I always assumed it had more to do with the small size of the bullet injuring a deer, where a larger bullet would do the job.

 

[dsonyay]

Jenn,
The Hornady 55gr softpoints are about 29.95 for 50 rounds at Academy and do an excellent job on hogs, and even white tail. They do a lot of damage once they blow apart inside the body cavity. Any 55gr softpoint will do a lot of damage. take care

 

[buzzworm]

Hmm OK. You may be right but I just don't see what rimfire or centerfire would have anything to do with it. I always assumed it had more to do with the small size of the bullet injuring a deer, where a larger bullet would do the job.

22rf doing about 1100 fps, 223 doing around 3000 fps. A bit more energy delivered on target.

 

[rocketsteve]

I may be off the mark here, but my understanding is that it's illegal to hunt deer with a 22 caliber in La. Doesn't a .223 also fall into that category? Just curious.

Federal Fusion 62gr Soft Point .223 Rem

Muzzle: 3000 fps and 1239 ft/lbs energy

100 yds: 2697 fps and 1001 ft/lbs energy


CCI Velocitor 40gr Hollow Point .22LR

Muzzle: 1435 fps and 183 ft/lbs energy

100 yds: 1084 fps and 104 ft/lbs energy



This is why LDWF says the use of ANY centerfire round is permitted for the taking of deer and the use of rimfire rounds is not...