Versatile .223 Rem bullet.

[cabin308]

I'll start reloading sometime soon and want to work up some all purpose rounds and wondering what are some of the better bullets for a 223 Rem?  It's a Mini-14, 18-1/2" barrel with a 1/7" twist.  I don't shoot a lot through it but looking for something versatile enough for plinking and taking small game up to yotes and cougar sized critters.  Just looking for a starting point of brand types and weights that anyone really likes.  Thanks   

[demontang]

I would look into a 55-60 grain bullet, hornady/nosler ballistic tips are great shooters but I don't know if I would shot a cougar with one of those.

[Ray]

With 1/7 twist go with 55 grains or more. I like the way Hornady SP flies.

[cabin308]

Sounds good!  Thanks for the tips.

[MHWASH]

Any cheap 55 sp will treat you good. I just finished a bulk box of 500 from Midway. I believe they are Hornadys. I've also had good luck with the Remmy 55 HPs, but they are a little more spendy. On it's way is a box of 500 Varmint Nightmares from Midsouth S.S.. They are rumored to also be Hornadys.

 IN my opinion there is no reason to by the more expensive plastic tip bullets. They are not always more accurate and not anymore lethal.

[jdb]

for an all around bullet I'd look at 60 grain nosler partitions.

[Intruder]

for an all around bullet I'd look at 60 grain nosler partitions.

Holy smokes.  I guy could go broke shootin those   Aren't they like 20 bucks for 50? Just curious, do you shoot that bullet for everything or just hunting.  Never shot a partition on small game.... I've always shot bullets that tend to really expand or explode.  I'm assuming these perform more like their big brothers and hold together pretty well.   

[jdb]

no I dont shoot them I shoot 40 grain vmax but I have always thought they'd make a great all around bullet. The 40 grain v max are a good bullet for what I do but I dont really consider them all around. just my JB

[Ray]

I shoot  40 grain v-max out of my other .223 which has a 1/12 twist.

[demontang]

I have been shooting the 40gr v-max too and they dont seem to be very fur friendly

[jdb]

I have been shooting the 40gr v-max too and they dont seem to be very fur friendly

Ive found that good solid hits in the chest they perform well but if you hit them around the edges things get ugly. JB

[demontang]

I shot one head on in the middle of the chest and it wasnt pretty, it left about a soft ball size hole and about two min later I shot one broad side and it left about the same size hole for an exit but just a little hole for the entrance

[dbllunger]

If I had one bullet to shoot it would be a Nosler 55gr Ballistic Tip.  I have seen everything from ground squirrels to elk shot with a .223 using Nosler Ballistic Tips.   Kills Deer and Elk like crazy, but DON'T SHOOT THEM WITH IT PLEASE!  Guy I know just ignores me, and it is legal where he hunts.