Hornady Hornet bullet in .223 Rem?

[jstein650]

Hornady lists a 45gr .224" bullet (#2230) as a Hornet bullet. Anyone use these in a .223 for varmint/target? They don't mention a velocity ceiling.

 

[rcmodel]

Jacket is too thin for .223 velocity & the faster twist.

You will very likely get gray vapor-trails halfway to the target when they blow up in the air.

rc

 

[kingmt]

The V-Max does great.

 

[Chief 101]

I use some old Sierra 45 Hornet bullets at about 3100fps and they do just fine...never tried pushing them faster so dunno bout that...

 

[45lcshooter]

45gr will be alright in 223. I've pushed 45gr in my old 22-250 when I had it. Chrono-ed I think above 3200.

 

[Coltdriver]

Years ago I shot lots of the 45 grain Hornet bullets thru a Ruger #3. They worked great but could be made to vaporize at the same loadings I was shooting 50 grain vmax at which was up around 3500 fps.

I did not have a chronometer at the time. Backed down they made great squirrel rounds and were plenty accurate. I think my old Ruger was 1 in 12 twist.

The #3 is gone but I do have a bunch of the Hornet bullets loaded for a Ruger Bolt rifle that I now have. I made some very low power loads using pistol powder. They sound like a cap gun and make even better squirrel rounds. That little Hornet bullet works great.

 

[mtrmn]

If you have fast twist bbl like 1/7, they may be spinning too fast for that light bullet. but you'll never know til you try.

I can tell you this with certainty though: When RCModel speaks, wise people listen.

 

[A-FIXER]

A 45gr is ok at 3600 fsp no vapor trail and do not need a fast twist rate for these..

 

[A-FIXER]

By the way I shoot a .204 32gr vmax over 4200 fps no vapor until it his the pdogs.

 

[jstein650]

My Ruger is 1:12 and I doubt I'd be over 3300 fps. They seem to be available unlike the more commonly used .223 bullets - and cheaper from what I'v seen.

 

[KansasSasquatch]

There's also data for them for 5.7x28 if anyone happens to load that cartridge.

 

[41 Mag]

That particular bullet has done OK out of my Contender in .223 AI.

Just remember even though you CAN drive them to some pretty impressive velocities, where they will blow up, doesn't mean you have to do so to get a really accurate load. Even if your stick to the 2500 - 2900fps range they will work just fine. Remember what they were designed for, and load accordingly and you will be fine. Just look for accuracy, and the bullet will do the job.

 

[kerreckt]

I use reload this bullet and use it in my .223 bolt action 1/12 twist with great success. One of my favorites.

 

[627PCFan]

Ive used the 35grain Vmaxs in a 1-14 twist barrel. Did ok for accuracy out to 100 yards. Will vaporize a grey squirrel though

Using a 1-12 or slower you should be ok-