Ok yesterday I went and put a deposit on the above rifle so I could introduce my wife and my 11 year old son who is not a solidly built kid (when he comes to stay) to centerfire shooting. Now the question is this thing has a 1:9 twist rate and what I need to know is what is the heaviest projectile I can get away with using that will remain stable as I will obviously be reloading for it. Was thinking of the 60-80 grain region as this will be used for shooting fallow deer and sika deer these two breeds are far to small to use a .308 with minimal damage to meat. Now please do not debate with me that I should not use the .223 for deer as I do understand that your local laws are different to ours here in New Zealand I am an experienced shooter with a good amount of one shot kills under my belt with small calibers (I used to kill wild boars with a .243).
I have a 200 steven's myself in 223remington. my rifle likes the 60g to 65g the best. and the 60g hornady sp is a flat base bullet will give me 5/8'' at 100 yard's
almost all the time.the boat tail bullet like the 65g sierra game king shoot well but my rifle like's the flat base better. for a 9 to 1 twist rate thay say you can shoot up to 73 grain. tryed some 75 grain and was all over the place and was also key hole. as far as power I have found h4895 work's for me .Be safe and good hunting
Sounds like from what I have been reading on the net over the last couple of hours alot of people have said the 60-65 are best I am able to buy sample packs of 10 projectiles to trial to find which one is best saves buying a 100 pack and then finding out they won't work. I will be loading with W748 I do have some varget but that has been set aside for loading up 165 grain projectiles for the .308
I have seen those varieties of deer and that .223 will do just fine. Friends have recommended the 60 grain Winchester bullet, which I believe is made by Sierra.
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You got a solid rifle. Very accurate. Good project rifle. My 200 .308 just got a Choate Tactical stock and a nine round DBM. SKS Stocks, Shotgun Stocks, Gun Accessories (Winchester, Remington, Mossberg) by Choate, ATI, more and www.ssssupply.com
As for a 1:9 twist, I've been getting bulls eyes with 69 gr SMK / 25 gr BLC-[2], 25.3 gr Varget and 25 gr RE-15 with hand loads. 69 is the limit on that twist. 62 gr SS109 is good stuff. Try some 63 gr SGK SP
with the same charges for deer. Good to hear from NZ!
I have seen those varieties of deer and that .223 will do just fine. Friends have recommended the 60 grain Winchester bullet, which I believe is made by Sierra.
Over here the fallow mainly resides in open areas (farms, and large clearings)
as for the Sika they love thick scrub and are very cunning and very hard to hunt I have been on trips where we have been followed by them while they are trying to check us out. I have also been squealed at by them and when you have never heard a sika squeal when spooked they can give you a hell of a fright.
You got a solid rifle. Very accurate. Good project rifle. My 200 .308 just got a Choate Tactical stock and a nine round DBM. SKS Stocks, Shotgun Stocks, Gun Accessories (Winchester, Remington, Mossberg) by Choate, ATI, more and www.ssssupply.com
As for a 1:9 twist, I've been getting bulls eyes with 69 gr SMK / 25 gr BLC-[2], 25.3 gr Varget and 25 gr RE-15 with hand loads. 69 is the limit on that twist. 62 gr SS109 is good stuff. Try some 63 gr SGK SP
with the same charges for deer. Good to hear from NZ!
Thanks DS some good info there can't wait to get it off layby