223 Hunting Gun Info???

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Dave1

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I am considering replacing my old 22 Mag bolt action truck gun with a 223 bolt gun. I will likely be using the heavier bullets for shots at coyotes, feral hogs, etc. I remember some discussion years ago about twist rates being critical when using heavier bullets. Do the factory stock barrels and twist rates handle the heavier bullets OK?

I would like to find a good used Remington Model 700 in 223. If you have one lying around that you would part with, drop me a note.

Dave
 
It would depend on the twist rate likely-- although your mileage may vary.

I recently built an AR with a 1:7 twist specifically to handle heavier grain bullets. I added M4 feed ramps for good measure.

Typically, the 1:12 twist barrels were not good for anything heavier than around 50 grain. While many have said that they have had decent results with heavier grains in a 1:9 twist barrel, the conventional wisdom is that it is better to have a 1:7 barrel for the heavier stuff.


-- John
 
The only maker who purports to make a turnbolt .223 with a 1 in 7" twist is Savage, in the Long Range Precision Varminter (supposed to be available in EITHER 1 in 7 OR 1 in 9).

Having said that, you don't necessarily need a 1 in 7 to shoot heavy-ish bullets. A 1 in 9 will suffice for up to 68-70 grainers, and even perhaps some 75 grainers.

Several makers *NOW* make their .223 turnbolts with 1 in 9 twist, whereas in the past they did not (the "old" standard is 1 in 12). So you will probably want to buy new, not used, to ensure that you get what you want. Now, Savage, NEF, I believe Remington, and perhaps others all make 1 in 9 their "new standard" in turnbolts. You just have to ask and check when purchasing to make sure. Check the websites of the various makers to see what they say about twist rates. Most if not all will show the twist rates of their rifles.

These heavier bullets, from the 64 gr winchester points on up heavier, will work well for coyotes and small hogs. For large hogs, you'd probably want to take a head shot, and for large deer, a neck shot. Better yet, get a .243 for a lot moore oomph.
 
I looked for a long time for a used 223. I finally bought a Savage 11fg with a 1/9 twist. It shoots really well. The stock was the biggest POS i have ever seen. I bought a Boyds from Cabelas and a metal trigger guard from Savage.

Now its a gun to be proud of. I have more money in it than i can ever get out of it.

If i had it to do over i wouldn't get the savage. I would like a 223 that is more compact. I wish i had the Ruger Frontier. I don't like the scout scope set up but the frontier has a heavier barrel than the compact rifle. I think they both have a 1/12 twist.

For what you want a 243 would be better and more versatile. Plus you will find a hundred 243s for every 223 thats for sale. Remington has a 1/9 twist and you can shoot 55 to 105 grain bullets out of it.
 
Pick the gun you want. I can tell you right now that a .223 fmj blasts a nice hole in a coyote. You won't have any problems with them running away unless you shoot really bad. In that case a .243 wont do much good anyway. If you do decide to go for a bigger caliber dont go for a .243. Go 6mm or .25-06. The .243 is way overrated. (can't wait to hear the .243 lovers' responses.)
 
The .243 is way overrated. (can't wait to hear the .243 lovers' responses.)
Click to expand...

Ha! If anything it's underrated. But I agree the 6mm Rem is an excellent choice. Didn't know the Tikka T3 has a 1 in 8 .223 - interesting; thanks.
 
I'm very happy with my new Steven's Model 200 in .223. It has a 22" barrel with 1 in 9 twist and costs less new than a Rem.700 does used. It replaces (although I still have) my Savage Model 65M in .22 magnum as my varmint gun.
 
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my 1-12" Ruger handled 62 grains, with no keyholes at 100 yards.

I would say that a 1-9 would handle anything up to a 75gr.
 
I have a Mod 700 Remington BDL in 243 now. It is a great "all around" gun, but is noisy. The 243 will shoot 2" groups at 300 yards off a bench with my handloads.

I am a feral hog trapper/control agent in Central Florida and frequently work around or near some upscale country clubs, high dollar housing sub-divisions, etc. and have to be as quiet as is possible. I use live traps, dogs, or gun. The 22 mag is perfect for most situations but range is limited for quick one shot kills on most hogs. I may change to the FMJ 22 mag bullets to get better penetration at longer range but still would like to have a 223 for some work I do. Recently, I have passed on some 80-100 yard shots at several medium size hogs with the 22 Mag just because I am concerned about the limitations of the small caliber rim fire gun. I won't shoot at one of these animals unless I am confident I can make a quick one shot kill.

Dave
 
.223

Hey there:
While I would not want to create any kind of argument here I will just say what I have found. My .223 Rem 700 Bolt guns are heavy's and extremely accurate . I hand load only and have never fired a factory round thru them.
My choice for my next coyotee gun will be a Mod. 7 . Rem. In .223....
Short , light and very accurate guns. I too do not care about looks as I want a bang around gun. A tuffy that will handle ruff rides and still be right when I need it. Mine get spray painted different colors during the year. Anyway, I tend to favor the Remingtons way over any of the others. Always have.
The trend has been toward faster twist rates and I for one am not sure what that is all about. My bolt guns are 1-14 and shoot the 55 grainers extremely well. I have not gone heavier so I can not coment on that. Even the New Rem, 700 PSS in .223 is now a 1-9 twist. I guess they though we should be shooting heavier ammo. One time I did try a 68 grainer in the 1-14 an dthey key holed really bad. In fact you could hear them fly.
 
i believe that the .243 winchester, and the 6mm remington are identical. in all aspects. but, iff i were to go with a .308 based "wildcat" type cartridge (cartridge based on the .308, but not .308) would be the 260 remington, in a long action rifle. you would be able to load those really sexy long bodied high b.c bullets farther out to increase powder capacity to allow you to get awsome accuracy with velocitys faster than the 6.5 sweed. but thats just me and my soon to be dream gun.
 
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