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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Lycanthrope" data-source="post: 387457" data-attributes="member: 562">Little searching found this, some of the original information I used when I was playing around more with reduced loads:---------------------------------------------------------This is for academic reference only and no claims are made...Disclaimer:use at your own risks... remember to work up if you do use any of these loads... and they only proved to be safe in the rifles I own... not making any inferences otherwise..Blue Dot Range Report: 223 Caliber ( Full )Bullet Weights Tested:1. 35 grain Hornady V Max2. 40 grain Hornady Vmax3. 45 grain Sierra SP4. 50 grain Sierra SMP5. 52 grain Sierra Boat Tail Match6. 55 grain Winchester FMJRifle Used: Ruger 77 Mk 2, VT 26 inch Barrel, Stainless Steel First yr ModelCase: Lake City Surplus, previously firedPrimer: Remington 6 ½Powder: Blue DotCharge Weight Tested: 4 grains to 14 grains.Weather: Sunny, NO clouds, 80 degrees, NO wind,Altitude: 2000 ftHumidity: Very LowField Results:35 grain Hornady V Max:4 grs: 1284 fps5 grs: 1488 fps6 grs: 1862 fps7 grs: 2163 fps8 grs: 2392 fps9 grs: 2636 fps10 grs: 2722 fps11 grs: 3076 fps12 grs: 3205 fps13 grs: NO Reading14 grs: 3518 fpsHornady 40 grain Vmax:4 grs: 1161 fps5 grs: 1538 fps6 grs: 1798 fps7 grs: 2148 fps8 grs: 2243 fps9 grs: 2539 fps10 grs: 2771 fps11 grs: 2956 fps12 grs: 3013 fps13 grs: 3218 fps14 grs: 3375 fpsSierra 45 grain SP4 grs: 1239 fps5 grs: 1447 fps6 grs: 1688 fps7 grs: 1880 fps8 grs: 2118 fps9 grs: 2363 fps10 grs: 2553 fps11 grs: 2811 fps12 grs: 2875 fps13 grs: 3008 fps14 grs: 3164 fpsSierra 50 grains SMP4 grs: 1064 fps5 grs: 1345 fps6 grs: 1624 fps7 grs: 1788 fps8 grs: 2033 fps9 grs: 2257 fps10 grs: 2466 fps11 grs: 2655 fps12 grs: 2779 fps13 grs: 2882 fps14 grs: 3038 fpsSierra 52 grain Boattail Hollow Point Match4 grs: 1061 fps5grs: 1460 fps6 grs: 1632 fps7 grs: 1916 fps8 grs: 2142 fps9 grs: 2225 fps10 gr: NO Reading11 grs: 2673 fps12 grs: 2782 fps13 grs: 2879 fps14 grs: 3012 fpsWinchester 55 grain FMJ4 grs: 896 fps5 grs: 1264 fps6 grs: 1568 fps7 grs: 1825 fps8 grs: 1994 fps9 grs: 2201 fps10 grs: 2328 fps11 grs: 2453 fps12 grs: 2677 fps13 grs: 2821 fps14 grs: 2915 fpsNotes:1. IN the evaluation of the 223, I came further to the conclusion of the versatility of the 223 in the use of training new shooters, and for a very versatile varmint caliber.2. Essentially the 223 can be loaded to the specs of a 22 Long rifle, a 218 Bee, a 221 Fireball, a 222 Remington, a 22 Hornet, and a 22 Win Mag., while allowing the shooter to be able to pick the type of bullet that he prefers.3. Bullets were limited to use of 35 grains to 55 grains. Heavier bullets will not serve any purpose unless a 223 is to be used for deer hunting. I do not believe that their would be a significant difference in the use of a 55 grain bullet vs a 60 grain bullet.4. The recoil on the lighter loads using 4 to 6 grains of powder had minimal recoil if any at all. These would be ideal for young shooters being trained.5. Noise level on the lighter loads ( 4 to 6 grains) were on par with a rim fire. An increase in noise level was very noticeable above 7 grains, but still very acceptable. ( No sounding like a rim fire any more)Noted Observations:1. It was noted but not considered part of the testing, with a tree used as a back stop for some of the testing, that all bullets ( 45 to 55 grains)penetrated thru the tree at a distance of 20 yds.2. The diameter of the tree was measured at 5 inches.3. The 40 grain Vmax loads failed to penetrate the tree at loads above 10 grs, above 2771 fps. However at 10 grains and less, the bullets penetrated thru the tree and did a large amount of damage ( like turning the wood into tooth picks) on the exit side of the tree. The penetration stopped at the 5 grain load.Some of the Author’s Conclusions:1. I learned some significant items beyond the versatility of the 223 with the bullets tested, but focusing on its use in the field, got some ideas.2. A light rifle such as a Winchester Featherweight or Rugers Compact model with a 16.5 inch barrel or the Ultra Light with a 20 inch barrel would make a good combo with the use of Blue Dot.3. Since the powder is burned cleanly in the first 10 to 12 inches of barrel, the shorter barrels are not handicappiing velocity in the lighter shorter rifles.4. The penetration of the 40 grain Vmax into the tree did make me ponder the use of those plastic tip varmint rounds as potential loads for small deer for youth shooters. Just like my observations in the larger calibers, the plastic tipped bullet seem to do a lot more damage, at velocities under 2700 fps. The Vmax surprised me. This is a decision any shooter will have to test on his own and make their own decisions. I am just passing on that I saw potential merit in the application.5. Although one has to weigh out the potential of Plastic Tipped Varmint bullets on bigger game like deer and antelope, some of these loads in real life use, utilizing Barnes’s X bullets in 22 caliber I can recommend. They make a 45 grain, 50 grain and 53 grain bullet. The way I saw much better penetration and more damage in wood, at the lower range velocities, 2200 to 2700 fps, this would make a good deer load in many parts of the USA, and recoil is minimal.I did not test any bigger bullets as I feel that those tested would be represent the best potential with the powder. 60, 63, 64, 65 grain bullets and then the larger match bullets did not give what I considered useful velocity when I have shot them before with Blue Dot, in respect to their field design uses.Updated Feb 2008cheersseafire</blockquote>

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