.223 SUB sonic loadings?

[WARDOG]

I have been kicking around the idea of getting a lightweight .223 in Remington 700 or Model Seven.
I want it specifically for shooting predators without tearing up the pelts.
So I have been thinking about hand-loading subsonic cartridges for up to 150 yard accuracy. It seems like a FMJ heavy bullet (72 grns) at subsonic would do the job.
This would be used mostly with Coyote and Bobcat <span style="text-decoration: line-through">Spotted Owl, Red Legged Frogs</span>
I would likely use one of my Aimpoint 2x Comp C, or Leupold 1.75 - 6x.
Has anyone loaded sub .223's for this purpose?

<span style="color: #3366FF">ADDED with enthusiasm: Hey this is my 101st post! After 2 1/2 years have I finally earned the right to sell something here?</span>

 

[bohem]

Re: .223 SUB sonic loadings?

Get something heavy and flat based to minimize bullet length.

65 SGK's work well, start with about 6.0gr of Trailboss and load DOWN in 0.1gr increments.

DO NOT put the suppressor on until AFTER you're sure that the bullet is cutting round holes in paper at 100yd.

If you're having trouble getting a bullet to stabilize and it's something with a Boat tail turn it backwards and seat it nose first. That big meplat (which used to be the bullet base) will do a good job when shooting for pelts as well.

 

[colt933]

Re: .223 SUB sonic loadings?

How about a .22lr with a fast twist barrel and factory Aguila 60gr ammo?

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: .223 SUB sonic loadings?

That's what I was going to suggest as well. We get this question from time to time. Subsonic .223's are kinda like sending a Knight to clean out the horse stalls, it's really a job for the Page.

Personally, I don't think either the .22LR, or a subsonic .223 are really adequate to anchor a coyote. Around here, near the Canadian border, coyotes grow big and nasty, bigger than a Shepherd dog. We treat them as a semi-dangerous game; they will turn on you if you don't drop them cleanly. I think a pistol caliber carbine, using an RNFMJ, might be more effective while doing the least damage to the pelt.

I have a Win '94AE chambered in .44mag, which digests and shoots .44SPC quite well. It might even feed and function with .44 Russian, which is even shorter, and I intend to try it out. It's my deer rifle with .44Mag ammo, and I've shot coyotes with it when they blundered into my deer hunt. I don't want their pelts, i just want them gone.

Greg

 

[bohem]

Re: .223 SUB sonic loadings?

I really agree with you Greg, though there are times when subsonic 223's are more useful than the 60gr Aguila ammo.

Especially with a precision level rifle. The 223 has the flexibility to load full bore or subs, just like subs in a 308. I prefer shooting a 308 with heavy subs instead of a 300 Blackout because I can always get some sort of ammo to run in a 308.

The 60gr Aguila ammo sucks IME. The stuff is MAYBE good for about 3-4 MOA at 100yd, subsonic 223's can be tuned for half that or better.

Pelting them out, I'd suggest a light loaded 308, 357, 44, 30 carbine and load it with FMJ's. Stick them through the lungs or the shoulders and anchor them in place. But if subsonic MUST happen an 80gr SMK loaded backwards in a sub MOA precision 223 and hitting the brain bucket is still pretty good medicine.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: .223 SUB sonic loadings?

I don't favor the 'out there' .22LR loadings. 36-40gr are my basic choices.

Greg

 

[Bellowsbob]

Re: .223 SUB sonic loadings?

I have killed multiple coyotes with my can on a ar. I load my top round sub and the rest hot when coyote calling. It will kill to about 100 but u have to accurate. I have it zeroed at 75yds with my red dot and my scope is zeroed at 100. It's very effective. I just built a 300 blk with nearly the same setup. I think I'm gonna like not having to rack the thing after the first round.

6. Gr of trailboss
75 gr custom poured bullet
1040 fps

 

[lessthanfour]

Re: .223 SUB sonic loadings?

why not a barnes varmint grenade? theyre supposed to leave a huge temporal cavity but not have an exit wound