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prairie dog loads for 223rem

zeldabluum
HI AGAIN GUYS

SORRY ABOUT INITIALS. PDS MEANS PRAIRIE DOGS

IT LOOKS LIKE I WILL BE USING COMMERCIAL AIRLINE TO TRAVEL

WHEN I GO AND SHOOT PRAIRIE DOGS. I WILL TAKE MY WIN MOD-70

HEAVY VARMINT TO SHOOT IN 223REM. THE OUTFITTER SAYS I MUST

SHOOT PLASTIC TIP VARMINT BULLETS TO MINIMIZE RICOCHETS. I

HAVE DECIDED TO USE 40 GRAIN BULLETS. MOST LIKELY NOSLER BAL TIPS.

WOULD LIKE A GOOD LOAD FOR THIS BULLET. PLEASE HELP.

THANKS

zeldabluum
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Comments

8 comments

Date Votes
  • bperdue21
    might want to post this in the Paintball/Reloading forum. JustC will generally know what you need.

    When guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns.
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  • Pinhead
    I don't want to start an argument about a trivial matter but I would be interested in why the outfitter thinks that a plastic tip is going to richocet less that a lead tip. Since it is point shape and jacket thickness and bullet speed that determines the richocet factor. I could be wrong but if so I see a chance to learn something here.
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  • Snellstrom
    Pinhead you are right. The plastic tip means nothing, I know of some lead tipped bullets that are more explosive than any plastic tipped varmint bullets. I think the outfitter is being careful or narrow minded (stupid). He should just specify no FMJ's or something to the effect.
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  • Snellstrom
    Sorry to get off topic Zeldabluum but if plastic tipped bullets is what he asked for then go that route, I would not load 40 grainers myself, they are affected by wind slightly more than 50 or 55 grain bullets and if you are shooting PDS ( Prairie Dogs ) then some shots may be long and pretty good chance of being windy. Just my opinion but I'd load 50 grain bullets and if plastic tipped is what ya need go with Nosler Ballistic tips, Win Ballistic Silvertips, Hornady V-Max, and I think Speer makes one too. You'll just have to work up a good loading that your gun really likes, I'd start with your current favorite load and just substitute the plastic tipped bullet.
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  • GaBob
    I don't use plastic tipped bullets but a very good load for 50 gr bullet is Accurate Arms #2520. I use 25.0 gr in the .223(I use 50 gr.Speer TNT bullets) This is not a hot load but very accurate as hundreds of PDs will attest. Never had a ricochet. Load should work with tipped 50 gr bullets. My shooting buddy uses 26.0 gr 2520 with good results. AA 2520 is relatively slow burning for .223 and works best in 24" barrels.
    Good hunting
    Bob

    Keep Your Powder Dry

    The only criminal class that is native to the United States is congress.
    MARK TWAIN
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  • Atom242
    I have had good luck with the winchester ballistic silver tips at 55gr. But all above mentioned are good choices. Hornady makes quality stuff.[B)]
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  • JustC
    I too would use 50gr pills if you have a 1:14 twist tube, if you have a 1:12 twist, I'd opt for the 55-60gr pills for wind resistance. The 40gr pill will be good for 200yds max if the wind is up at all.

    Powders, I would try would be IMR4198, IMR4895, and whatever else is listed as the accuracy powders in the nosler manual. The N140 may make some decent speeds with the heavier pills if your twist will allow the use of them.

    as far as frangibility, I find the polycarbonate tips to be some of the most explosive. The hard polycarbonate plastic tip, coupled with the small hollow cavity underneath it, allows the tip to actually get a running start at the core material when it impacts, which makes for a violent expansion/explosion. In order for a hollow point to explode that way, it needs to have it's cavity packed with material to initiate the expansion, and if this skims a rock it may just deform/close the hollow point and allow it to remain in flight with less destabilization than the plastic tip that no matter how it hits, will start the destruction of the jacket and therefore disperse the kinetic energy much quicker. Just my opinion.

    why chase the game when the bullet can get em from here?....
    Got Balistics?
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  • Bittersweat
    Really ??!!!! Thanks JustC.
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