bachekermooni
Member
What factory / handloads in a 1:9" barrel are considered adequate for antelope hunting up to 300 yards (if any)?
223 for antelope?
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osprey176
Member
I would shorten your range to 200 yards and use Partitions or Barnes bullets. The .223 is a marginal cartridge for any animal bigger than coyotes, in my opinion.Keep the ranges reasonable,and it should work. IF you haven't hunted out west before,understand that we may have few trees,but you can use terrain to stalk your animal.The ground on the prairie is not all that flat,and is often laced with small ravines and other features that can be used for sneaking cover.
Kachok
Member
Skip the 223 for a hunting rifle, it is marginal at best, and at 300yd it is worse then marginal due to the very poor BC of the 22 cal bullets. 243 makes a much better choice, and the 25-06 is a good step above that.
bachekermooni
Member
Thanks. I actually own a Encore PH handgun with w .243 barrel that I handload for. So loading and bullets should not be a problem.
If I wan to go with the 100 and 105 gr pills, what rate of twist should I be looking at (I want to buy a new bolt action rifle)?
If I wan to go with the 100 and 105 gr pills, what rate of twist should I be looking at (I want to buy a new bolt action rifle)?
bachekermooni
Member
Thanks. A quick check shows WY does not allow anything less than 23 cal for Antelope. Am I right?
Kachok
Member
A 9.25:1 or 9.5:1 would be ideal for 100gr bullets. Alot of 243s use a a 1 in 10 twist which is better for 80-85gr but won't stabalize all 100gr. 100gr SD is not really needed for antelope but a little extra momentum/penatration never hurts.
tikka-guy
Member
I've looked this up before and found the same thing, so .223 is not an option in WY.
Grumulkin
Member
I don't know where you're getting "23 cal" for Wyoming. The minimum there is .243.
Providing it's legal, forget the 223 since it's only good to 200 yards because of poor BC, etc. Instead try a 204 Ruger loaded with 45 gr. Hornady Spire Points and you should be good to 252 yards.
Providing it's legal, forget the 223 since it's only good to 200 yards because of poor BC, etc. Instead try a 204 Ruger loaded with 45 gr. Hornady Spire Points and you should be good to 252 yards.
bachekermooni
Member
Here: http://gf.state.wy.us/admin/regulations/pdf/Ch32.pdfI don't know where you're getting "23 cal" for Wyoming. The minimum there is .243.
Providing it's legal, forget the 223 since it's only good to 200 yards because of poor BC, etc. Instead try a 204 Ruger loaded with 45 gr. Hornady Spire Points and you should be good to 252 yards.
Page one, section 4 (a).
Kachok
Member
Think about that, you are both right, nobody builds a 23 caliber bullet. So effectivly the 243 is the smallest caliber you can use, while the letter of the law is .23 caliber. I would avoid 223s 204 Rugers even if they were legal, I just like some mass and momentum, not to mention bullets desigend for the game I am hunting. No .22 caliber will ever match what a good 25-27 caliber can do at 300 yards.
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