Best 5.56x45 Load for Hunting

[Bottom Gun]

We tested a variety of .223 loads in water jugs last year. Not the most scientific method but that was what we had.
The .224 dia bullets we tested were 60 to 70 gr. We tested for weight retention at 50 & 75 yd and for expansion and weight retention at 130 yd.
Only three bullets tested performed adequately, the 62 gr Gold Dot/Fusion, 60 gr Nosler Partition and 64 gr Winchester Power Point. Weight retention and penetration were excellent.

Also tested were Sierra 65 gr Game King, 70 gr Speer SP (a varmint bullet), 60 gr Hornady BTHP, 60 gr Sierra BTHP and some miscellaneous soft points. These bullets all fragmented repeatedly at ranges less than 100 yd and penetration was limited. (We expected the 70 gr Speer to fragment but weren’t sure about the other bullets.) The 65 gr Sierra Game King was quite accurate but expanded too violently and would not stay together. That was both a surprise and a disappointment.

Bullets were handloaded to velocities approx 3,000 fps.

 

[courtgreene]

I’m surprised at the 64g PowerPoint. Not that it performed well, I’ve experienced that. I’m very surprised you could find one to test.

used them, loved them, haven’t been able to find one since.

 

[Bottom Gun]

If Gold Dots will shoot for you, they will work as well if not better than PP.

 

[courtgreene]

If Gold Dots will shoot for you, they will work as well if not better than PP.

Thanks. I’ve sort of settled on tsx even though they’re really expensive. They shoot well and do the job, but I didn’t cringe after pulling the trigger with the power points.
I actually like the sierras too. They do blow up, but they have put quite a few deer down for me.