Small Caliber Long Range Questions

[ShowMeShooter]

I'm new to this whole long range bit, and I'm still trying to wrap my mind around shooting past max point blank range. I'm very interested in extending the range limit of my coyote hunting. I am building a .223 on a Stevens action, with a SSS comp trigger and Boyd's prairie hunter stock. My next move is to upgrade the scope I have been hunting with for a few years on other rifles. I currently have a Swift Premier 4-12x40 AO. OK now for the questions.

1. What is the effective range of the .223 with hunting bullets (I'm shooting 55 gn Berger FB)

2. On a rifle of this caliber is a guy better off with a BDC reticle or target/tactical turrets?

3. I'm looking at the Ziess Conquest for this rig. Is this gonna do what I'm wanting to do? The target turret model is what I'm thinking.
Zeiss - Camera Land NY

4.I'm planning on changing out the barrel sometime this summer for a Shilen. I'm thinking 24" .223AI.. How much will this add to the range of this rifle?

Sorry for all the new guy questions, I figured this was the place to ask though.

EDIT: SCRATCH THE BARNES 36GN IDEA

 

[D.ID]

Welcome...........If you are moving toward a long range load: Going from 55gr to 36gr is exactly opposite of what you should be doing. The heavier bullets will retain speed better, fight wind better and be way better for long range work. think 77 gr smk

 

[ShowMeShooter]

OK I thought SMK weren't for hunting. I have some of those 77 SMK (15 or so to test) and some 69 gn SMK (35 or so loaded to test). My Stevens has a 1:9 twist. How heavy of a bullet will it stabilize? Will a 60gn V-max get the job done long range? As you know reloading componets are hard to find right now, I have several of the 55 gn Bergers and 60gn V-max on hand. What would be the effective range of these two bullets?

 

[D.ID]

small Smk work great for varmints, I use large smk on elk and dear with great effect. Not marketed as a hunting bullet and not intended as a controlled expansion bullet. They can frag out or pencil threw depending on impact velocity and target density but they work great if you use them appropriately (appropriate is dependent on intended result).
.
The 69 will stabilize and the 77 should stabilize in a 1in9 twist.
of course the v-maxes will work and do not get me wrong, most bullets will work. It's just some better and easier than others. High bc is what you want to fight that wind and drag out that velocity.
I would probably opt for a bdc reticle for speed of use out to about 500 but after that dialing in is where it's at. Max range will depend on conditions and if you, your optics and your rifle can work together well enough you can reach out into the abyss. I have nailed coyotes past seven hundred with mine and I do not even work with my 223 very much, seen guys do it at over a grand but consider it more than a little exceptional and pretty lucky at that range.

 

[ShowMeShooter]

I'm only an hour from Sierra, so maybe I'll take a ride over there next week and scoop up a bunch of 69 SMK's if my test goes well tomorrow. Hopefully my rifle will like them. I may rethink the scope choice. Maybe a Nikon Monarch or something similar. I know I have to stay under $700 so I can add the barrel too. I would be happy to get out to 5-600 yards. that would double my current effective range.

 

[HuntnID]

If you have to stay under $700, I would consider the Vortex Viper PST's. Absolutely wonderful scopes for someone that is trying to keep cash in pocket.

 

[roninflag]

my opinion after shooting over 250 coyotes the .223 is not a long range coyote gun. i would use one of the 60 grain bullets - berger , hornady, nosler. to get "max range". a 9 twist 22-243 or 22-250 bettter for long range. a .243 even better.

 

[D.ID]

my opinion after shooting over 250 coyotes the .223 is not a long range coyote gun. i would use one of the 60 grain bullets - berger , hornady, nosler. to get "max range". a 9 twist 22-243 or 22-250 bettter for long range. a .243 even better.

Agreed: that it is not the best long range caliber, but she can reach if need be.

 

[AH3682]

Hey,
I'm also new here and new to the long range game.
I've been thinking of getting a .308 and topping it with a Nikon m-308 scope. It is made for the ar platform, but the recitle is more specific to the caliber than the platform. If i were to recomend a scope to you it would be the m-223 4-16 bdc 600. It will have the recitle matched to you caliber, and you can verify it by using the spot on software.
Here is the link for the scope:
M-223 4-16x42 BDC 600 from Nikon
Also, this one has the turrets you can set, if you prefer to make the adjustments for long distance. Personally, I think that 600 is about the limit for this particular caliber, and you should do just fine with the bdc 600.

Happy shootin'gun)

 

[nonnieselman]

if your still on the stevens barrel, mine did good with 69gr SMK and ok with 69gr PPU. but the 77s never would group good enough to hunt with.

The 55 and 60gr Vmax worked really good in it with H332 or H322.

I killed many a deer and coyotes with it. Furthest coyote was of my buddys hay field @ 375. it was a luck shot, but it was hit in the neck and dropped dead.

If you wanna go a lil longer range, look into the 22-250 with a fast twist barrel and some heavies. mine loves 80gr bergers at 3200fps, 26" 9 twist.

 

[ShowMeShooter]

thanks for the info fellas. I ended up trading a Leupold VX-III 4.5-14 for a few collector pocket knives I had. So no money out of pocket...

I have some 69gnSMK's loaded up and ready to test. if nothing there I have 150+/- 60gn V-max to try. Ijust wish the weather would makeup it's mind. I was 70 on friday, when I had to work and cold and rainy all weekend....

 

[coyotemaster]

Assuming you are going to dial up with the Leupold--make sure the scope is perfectly in alignment with the bore, otherwise you will be canting as you come up. I shot a fast twist .223 for Coyotes for the first time this year (usually using a Shilen/Swift) with 69SMK and shot several at 350 yds and some at 250--results do vary from shot to shot with this bullet. If you shoot a bolt gun the 75 Amax may be a better answer. I bought a bunch of 65 SGK but so far unimpressed, at least on milk jug performance.

 

[ShowMeShooter]

My wife is saving milk jugs for the same reason. I like to have an idea of whats happening. Maybe the 64gn Berger is the bullet for this.

I saw a thread or article here about setting up a scope to get the most adjustment for long range. I can't find it now. Anyone know what I'm looking for?

 

[dieselboy427]

Without being repetitive, is the .223 case what you want to stay with for cost reasons or would you want any other caliber? If you re-barrel, you can have almost ANY caliber you want regardless of case head size for about 45 bucks additional in changing the bolt head. Savage/Stevens have a huge advantage in caliber changes.