I just purchased a 223 and with it came 1000 69gn Sierra HPBT. The barrel is a heavy 24" with a 1 in 9 twist.
I'm planning to use it for vermin control. Are these projectiles suitable for small game? If not, any recommendations will be appreciated.
This rifle will shoot under a minute at 300 mtrs.
regards
rz

RobZ,

I've only used them on Prairie Dogs out to about 500 yards from a 22" 223 Rem, and they seemed to work well. I wouldn't hesitate to use them on up to coyote-sized game (45 pounds/20 KG or so).

Bill

FYI: If these are MatchKings, they are designed for accuracy, not expanding on varmints. Not saying they wouldn't work, but there are better designs.

robz,
Use them.
See Saeed's story about his recient hunt and his experiance using Matchkings.

http://www.serveroptions.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=003982

1000 should get you quite a few varmits!

Good Shooting
Greg

[ 07-18-2002, 00:33: Message edited by: amosgreg ]

My flat out favorite bullet in my .223. There is no reason in the world for you not to use them. The only problem I have is that I am always running out of them. GREAT bullet

Thanks for the feedback. The previous owner had already worked up extremely accurate loads for the 69gn HPBT, which makes life sooooo much easier.
For anyone who is interested
Benchmark 2 23.5 grains
CCI primer
69gn HPBT
this give approx 3000ft/sec
regards
rz

I think serria match kings are some of the best for varmits I shoot 52 match kings and have killed thousands and thousands of varmits with them never had a bit of trouble doing so.

I have used the Sierra 69 grain HPBT's for about 14 years in a .224 Clark. My field load with this bullet 54 grains WW785 goes through my chronograph at about 3850fps. The bullet will consistently group around 1/2 minute of angle in this rifle. The bullet is obviously built to withstand high velocities, as I have never even seen a hint of a comet tail on a target. The bullet has accounted for rabbits, foxes, goats, even several wild pigs. In short it is an excellent bullet, very accurate, not as destructive as some other bullets, but it consistently does the job. Good shooting!

Hey Rob
Thanks for the 69gn load, what sort of rifle are you shooting?, what is the OAL of the rounds? I am shooting a 700P with a 1:9 twist, so will give your load a try.
Oh yeah, does the heavier load make you loose sight of the target when firing, i kind of enjoy whatching thru the scope as the lighter loads hit home.
These lighter ones also work very well in mine
23.5gns BM2, CCI primer Speer 52HPBT, OAL 58mm
25.2gns BM2, CCI primer Nosler 55BalTip OAL 58mm

Boris,
When using military brass reduce your loads by 1 grain.
regards
rz

I use these bullets in the Federal Gold Medal Match factory loads for depredation whitetail deer, they work fine. Very accurate as previously stated and very deadly. I use a Rem 722 with a 24 inch 1x7 twist PacNor barrel.