I just picked up a Cooper M-21 Classic in .223 and want to develop an all round standard load.

What bullet weight (50 or 55 grain) do you recommend for the .223 for all around use (turkey, coyotes, plinking). The test target used a 50 grain bullet, but I was thinking that the 55 grain might be better for coyotes and not as destructive on turkeys.

I load the 50 grain mostly but occasionally some 40 grainers as well.

Makes no difference.....all will work well and the 55 grain bullets are just fine.

Load any of them and you'll have a great coyote rifle.

Well, that perfect "all around" load may be somewhat elusive.

Coyotes won't know the difference in a 50 and a 55, but the 55 will carry a little more authority and be easier to hit with when the ranges are long and the wind is blowing. If you run across a feral hog occasionally, you will certainly want the heavier bullet.

I hunt turkeys exclusively with .223 class cartridges, but I always load an FMJ for minimal meat damage.

Since you throw in "plinking" as a use, then you'll want something fairly economical.

My suggestion is to try the 55 grain Sierra (plain base). It has always been a consistent performer in every .22 centerfire for me. You might be able to work up a load that shoots to a similar point of impact as over-the-counter FMJs, in which case you could trade off for those when hunting for turkeys.

By the way, weekend before last, I was hunting turkeys with my Sako .223 using FMJs and had a group of small hogs show up (30-pound range). One 55 grain FMJ through the shoulder did a little porker in in short order.

Might try some Rem 50gr PLHP's. They are inexpensive and I have found them to be quite accurate in most 22 centerfires, especially 222.

There should be little difference from 50 to 55 grain projectiles. I shoot Sierra BK 50s in my 223 and 22/250 but that is the most accurate. Shoot whatever is most accurate in your rifle. Accuracy kills!!

quote:

Originally posted by 30378:
There should be little difference from 50 to 55 grain projectiles. I shoot Sierra BK 50s in my 223 and 22/250 but that is the most accurate. Shoot whatever is most accurate in your rifle. Accuracy kills!!

What 30378 said.

And here we can get bulk lots of Hornady softs 55gr. Seemed best accuracy in my 223, and cheap enough for anything.
Plinking = practise, try it at 300 yards.

MHC_TX: I was hoping you would get more responses to your inquiry as to the Turkey bullets!
I have shot a lot of Wild Turkeys with several of the Rifles I own but they were mostly rimfire Rifles!
I have cleanly and quickly harvested Wild Turkeys now with the following Rifle calibers: 17 HMR, 22 L.R., 22 Magnum and 17 Mach IV (centerfire).
I aim for the base of the neck and humane kills are realized immediately (not quite instantly!) with the above calibers.
I have not used a 223 Remington on Wild Turkey as yet. I am certain though that the Sierra 50 grain Blitz would work well for you out of your 223. A "body shot" though with this bullet would render the Turkey inedible - I am sure.
Therefore I recommend (with the above caveats) the fine Sierra 50 grain Blitz bullets for use in your 223.
I know how well this bullet performs on Coyotes and have used it for many years in several of my 223's.
Best of luck to you in your search for your "all around 223 bullet".
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

I shoot 50gr vmaxes out of my 223 over h335 and cci br 450 primers. Shoots well for me. I don't think you will notice much of a difference between 50's and 55's, just my opinion.

quote:

I have not used a 223 Remington on Wild Turkey as yet. I am certain though that the Sierra 50 grain Blitz would work well for you out of your 223. A "body shot" though with this bullet would render the Turkey inedible - I am sure.
Therefore I recommend (with the above caveats) the fine Sierra 50 grain Blitz bullets for use in your 223.

I've shot seven turkeys with a 223 and 50 grain TNTs and surprisingly the damage is little.

Try to avoid the breast meat but whatever shot you get is what you take.....and so far the turkeys are fit for the table.....surprisingly excellent dinnerfare.

OK, I can't hold it in any longer.

What average range are we talking about for these turkeys.
Under 100 yards? Why don't you shoot'em in the head?
And yes I've shot alot smaller turkeys than yours at about 50 yards, but these held their heads still for me.

You turkey hunters should move to Douglas County, Oregon (Big Grin). The danged things are outright pests/vermin here. Local UPS trucks,school buses, and of course private vehicles, are constsantly hitting them. Our UPS driver took another one through his windshield just last week. If I want to eat "turkey" all I have to do is drive fast down the driveway.

Having said that, my turkey gun is a .223/12 gauge O/U. I load it with Nosler BalTips or Speer TNTs,depending on what is on sale when I'm buying. Then I keep velocity to sorta "strong .22 WMR" levels. Around here a shot at a turkey is almost never more than 35 yards....often much less.