223 Rem - so, which bullet should I choose? . . .

[Metal god]

64gr power point bullet
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/13...-22-caliber-224-diameter-64-grain-power-point

Gel test of the above bullet
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2uMOv1YSXo

Gel test showing what varmint type bullets will likely do . NOTE the shallow penetration of only 6" . Good wound channel but again only 6" . What if that same bullet hit a rib first rather then only soft tissue . In that case there may very well be even less penetration do to the bullet fragmenting on bone
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCqmclsRQmM

Here's a whole page of 223 gel test
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=223+ballistic+gel+test+

 

[Nick_C_S]

DMY said:

Nick,
I hope you keep us apprised of your learning curve on reloading .223s.

I will.

I have gained a lot of valuable knowledge from your many posts on handgun reloading.

Thank you.

Like you, I too am relatively new to reloading .223s after reloading handgun cartridges for a few decsdes

Yeah, it's humbling. Which is okay. I like to think I'm good at putting my ego into neutral to listen and learn. Rifle or handgun, the learning should never stop.

For lubing, I use a lube pad with RCBS water-based lube.

Me too.

While I don't put much lube on the pad, I usually have enough on my gloved hand and in the die to run 1 lubed case to every 2 cases which are not rolled on the pad.

I still fear the stuck case and am still getting the feel for resizing the 223, so I'm not that brave yet. I lube every case. Sparingly, but every case.

I actually use a neck brush to lightly lube the inside of my case necks which makes the resizing stroke very easy.

Me too. Except, I use a cotton tipped applicator.

I tumble them a little longer to make sure the lube is removed.

It's water soluble, so I suspect it comes off pretty fast during the tumble. I tumbled my one batch of 223 for the same 1-hour/45 minutes I do for my handgun cartridges. Came out perfect. (This is a ss pin tumble.)

Maybe I will recognize you as the guy who comes to the range with 2 rifles and only 6 bullets.

I'll only have one gun And I'll bring some factrory ammo besides my loaded six.

Metal god: Thanks for the links. I'll watch 'em when I get a chance.