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223 as a deer cartridge

nksmfamjp

nksmfamjp

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 5, 2004
Messages
3,495
I have looked through older threads and there have been changes since the older threads.

Primarily, there has been the introduction of the 80gr ELD-X bullet…..It looks like a 20" AR 223/5.56 can power that to ~2650fps with H4895.

Anybody try this combination? Are there any gel tests you are aware of?

To me, ideal would be something around 70gr for velocity, but this is what exists…
 
While personally not a fan of the cartridge for deer, I think bullet technology has made it a viable option. I'd likely opt for a mono, bonded, or a partition. A lot of options, but no experience with that bullet. Agree with above, I'd likely go a little lighter.
 
Look at the 77g Sierra tmk, 80g ELDx and the 75 grain ELDm. All three are very good killing bullets. Pick the one that shoots best in your rifle and venture fourth confidently. There is a very extensive thread on rokslide containing good information on 223's, check it out.
 
I've used the 80's in my bolt guns but not in the AR's for hunting. In my 26" 1/8" twist, I can reach 2,900 fps using 2520 powder. Other loads we have used on whitetails back East/South are the 62 TBBC, 64s, 65 Sierra SBT, 70 Speer SP, 70 Nosler, and the old 75 AMAX. They have all worked well with most shots being under 100 yards. Usually, we run the 62 - 70's in our AR's.
 
Tiny Tim said:
While personally not a fan of the cartridge for deer, I think bullet technology has made it a viable option. I'd likely opt for a mono, bonded, or a partition. A lot of options, but no experience with that bullet. Agree with above, I'd likely go a little lighter.
Click to expand...
This comment confuses me. If I'm concerned about penetration, i definitely seek bonded, mono or partitions. If I'm concerned about expansion, I seek SST, ELD-X, etc. In this case my concern would be primarily the 223's small expansion size….due to starting diameter.

Creedmoor shooter said:
I think you'd be hard pressed to get an 80 eld-x in a standard AR magazine.
Click to expand...
Do you know this? It is my concern too. Someone on here must know if an 80gr ELD-X fits in a normal AR magazine.
 
nksmfamjp said:
Thanks. That is a bit strange as my AR is currently running Hdy 75g bthp match bullets as mag fed.
Click to expand...
totally different bullet but the 80gr eld is 1.161 long with a .553 long nose. am out of 75gr bthp so can't get numbers on them but the nose is a lot shorter. even the 75&88gr have a .553-.554 long nose only the bearing surface changes.
 
@can1010 is correct. You will not get a 75 eld-m to fit. There's some modifications you can do to kinda make it work but it's not worth it IMO. If you run a 350 legend duramag then you'll get a little more OAL which is what I use. But you still aren't going to fit a 75 eld-m in it. 75 eld-m and the 75 bthp are 2 different critters. I'd suggest either the 73 eld-m which we've had good luck with or the 77 tmk. My brother killed a buck with the 73 eld-m last year from his 5.56.
 
You must have a bunch of 80gr already on hand? Otherwise you're making this harder than it needs to be.

I'll sound like a broken record, but I have killed train loads of antelope with my ar 20" 223. Majority has been with 62gr fusion but have use a variety from 60-65. (Sierra, nosler, swift to name a few) I can't think of any that were not complete pass throughs, but I do keep my shots 250 and in.

Load up a quality bullet and go kill some deer. 😁
 

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