In getting ready for the upcoming warmer days, and being told to stay home, I've been loading up 223 for varmint hunting at our farm. We usually have at least 15-20 groundhogs a year, that tend to cause damage to fields, crops and buildings. About 10 years back, we had an incident with a groundhog tunnel collapsing when our full hay wagon went over it, causing the wagon to dump the load and require a new axle. After this, we started dispatching them. On warm days we'll set up shop outside and wait.
Depending on the location I'll use my AR15 with 55gr V Max/Z Max bullets with 25.4gr IMR 8208 XBR loaded to 2.260". I've found this load on a workup many years back, shortly after the 8208 powder was released. Whats been odd is in several different weapons, this load has been outstanding. Sub 3/4 in groups. When I worked up the load, it was just a hair under 1/2 in groups.
If I need to reach out longer I like using my Remington 700 in 243 winchester with 95 grain sierra match kings. It has smoked plenty of groundhogs at 500+ yards. Probably my favorite bolt action gun by far. Loaded in Winchester brass with 39.5gr H4350 its been 1/4" 5 shot groups at 100.
(https://i.ibb.co/D9zz8L7/varmint.jpg) (https://ibb.co/LxYYJvC)
Pctechdude, Very Nice! I don't have the groundhogs where I'm at but I can see where they would be very destructive an fun to dispatch!
I've been rolling my 223's with Hodgdon's CFE223 with good results with my 1:7 twist barrel have some 55 grain FMJ BT's loaded with IM3031that I need to test out.
Some 75 grain Hornady
CFE223 powder 24.6 grain
CCI400 SRP and Winchester SRP
Velocity 2750 fps 20" BBL - 2650 fps 16" BBL
Energy 1293 ft/lbs - 1169 ft lbs
Cartridge Overall Length 2.2480"-2.2500"
(https://i.postimg.cc/nzPCN6YL/IMG-0001.jpg)
55grain
IMR 3031 powder 24.2 grain
CCI400 SRP
Velocity 3000 fps 16" BBL
Energy 1099 ft/lbs
Cartridge Overall Length 2.2400"
(https://i.postimg.cc/c4jNpPCz/IMG-0602.jpg)
I am expecting 32 lbs of American Reloadings MP475 tomorrow. I will be testing it out in 223.
Up to now I have loaded WC846, and have also done some limited work with CFE 223.
I also recently got about 500 pieces of 22-250 brass, so I make need to add a bolt gun for that round :-)
Quote from: The_Shadow on April 10 2020 08:42:12 AM MDT
Pctechdude, Very Nice! I don't have the groundhogs where I'm at but I can see where they would be very destructive an fun to dispatch!
I've been rolling my 223's with Hodgdon's CFE223 with good results with my 1:7 twist barrel have some 55 grain FMJ BT's loaded with IM3031that I need to test out.
Some 75 grain Hornady
CFE223 powder 24.6 grain
CCI400 SRP and Winchester SRP
Velocity 2750 fps 20" BBL - 2650 fps 16" BBL
Energy 1293 ft/lbs - 1169 ft lbs
Cartridge Overall Length 2.2480"-2.2500"
(https://i.postimg.cc/nzPCN6YL/IMG-0001.jpg)
55grain
IMR 3031 powder 24.2 grain
CCI400 SRP
Velocity 3000 fps 16" BBL
Energy 1099 ft/lbs
Cartridge Overall Length 2.2400"
(https://i.postimg.cc/c4jNpPCz/IMG-0602.jpg)
I've been meaning to try some CFE223, but never have gotten around to it. I've always been stuck on 8208 and H335 for my 55gr plinking loads. I may have tro try some out if I can find it! They can be very destructive! We tend to walk around and find their holes, set up shop and watch them pop out and let loose.
Quote from: sqlbullet on April 10 2020 09:36:14 AM MDT
I am expecting 32 lbs of American Reloadings MP475 tomorrow. I will be testing it out in 223.
Up to now I have loaded WC846, and have also done some limited work with CFE 223.
I also recently got about 500 pieces of 22-250 brass, so I make need to add a bolt gun for that round :-)
Sweet, I waited to long to replenish my supply unfortunately :(
A good friend of mine bought a Thompson Center 22-250, and had one hell of a time with it. He tried almost every factory round out there and couldn't get decent groups. I had almost a full pound of varget and those 55 grain green tip v max's. Had it shooting sub inch groups fairly quick.