Hog huntin Harry
Member
What loads would y'all recommend for self defense in .223 ?
I was thinking along the lines of a 55 grain GMX or 73 grain critical defense.
I was thinking along the lines of a 55 grain GMX or 73 grain critical defense.
Don't V-max bullets explode on impact or can you get some penatration out of em ?Mine are 55gr V-max.
The 55 grain V-max made it to a whitetail's lungs ?V-max will go in a few inches and basically explode, but this is not a bad outcome in crowded areas. I have shot several coyotes, and my son several deer, with them and the lungs looked like jelly. There's no coming back from that.
Those are what I would use if I KNEW i didnt need to worry about over penetration. Ive killed a pile of Axis deer with those, and they will go clean thru most of the time. An axis is about as wide,or wider, shoulder to should as a person is thru the chest.My self defense load is Winchester 64 grain PowerPoint. I live in the country and am not worried about over penetration. The reason I use them is they are very accurate in my AR and I like their performance on every animal I’ve shot, which granted isn’t much. A couple of hogs, deer and one coyote.
Not at night, and not during an areas "closed" season, otherwise all mammal (including Axis) hunting is open year round.Since Axis are not native to Hawaii can you legally hunt them at night and all year?
My son’s AR likes 64 grain GameKings. I think they would be excellent for HD too.In my opinion load selection with a rifle is a lot less important than with a handgun. Ive seen people shot with a multitude of different types of 223/5.56 from steel case 55 grain, to varmint bullets.All showed good terminal performance as long as barriers weren't encountered.
My department uses Federal TRU with a 55 grain Sierra Gameking bullet. This is the load I use as it's a known quantity for me. The bullet expands and fragments and the base of the bullet continues on and gives good penetration.
How well would a 55 grain GMX preform ?