Started By
Message

.223 vs 5.56 Hog Hunting

Posted on 7/28/22 at 3:02 pm
Posted by Pelican13
Ratchet City, LA
Member since Jul 2013
65 posts
Posted on 7/28/22 at 3:02 pm
I have recently purchased a thermal scope for hog hunting at night. I have been using Night Vision/IR Light but the thermal is much better. I always felt like the hogs could see the IR light when I put it on them. So, I have that problem solved.

I have been using 5.56 FMJ 55grain while hunting these bastards. I have been wondering if the .223 is way to go. .223 is the only hunting round I can find (American Whitetail). Are .223's more accurate? Just trying to gain some more knowledge on them. Anyone know of a good 5.56 hunting round or should I switch to .223. I seem to be going back and forth in my research. Seeing what you all's opinion is. Thanks for the help!
Posted by civiltiger07
Baton Rouge
Member since Dec 2011
14054 posts
Posted on 7/28/22 at 3:08 pm to
How are the 55gr FMJ's working for you? If they are working fine I don't see a reason to go out in search of a solution to a problem you don't have.
Posted by Ol boy
Member since Oct 2018
2957 posts
Posted on 7/28/22 at 3:10 pm to
Typically you will not find hunting rounds in 556 but in .223 not all barrels shoot 223 very well due to the twist rates for the sometimes heavier bullets. If your gun will shoot the American whitetail bullets then shoot them they will do way better on hogs than the fmj.
What barrel length and what twist do you have now. Sorry for the generalized reply but accuracy is a relative term and what some consider insufficient may be fine for others.
Posted by Pelican13
Ratchet City, LA
Member since Jul 2013
65 posts
Posted on 7/28/22 at 3:12 pm to
They seem to be working ok, other than I missed a damn hog Sunday. I just can't get a consistent grouping on the target (good enough for my liking). I'd rather shoot the 5.56 rounds but all I can find are the green tips or FMJ. I have been using Frontier ammo. Just trying to see if the .223 is more accurate or I just need to shoot different ammo. Thanks for the reply!
Posted by civiltiger07
Baton Rouge
Member since Dec 2011
14054 posts
Posted on 7/28/22 at 3:17 pm to
As Ol Boy said accuracy means different things to different people. I doubt you missed the hog because of the ammo alone.

depending on the rifle you have the Whitetail ammo could fit your rifle better or it may not. It won't hurt to try some different types of ammo to see if you find something more to you liking.

What kind of grouping are you getting out of the 55gr ammo you have now?
Posted by Pelican13
Ratchet City, LA
Member since Jul 2013
65 posts
Posted on 7/28/22 at 3:18 pm to
I have a Diamondback DB-15 with a 16 inch barrel and 1:8 twist. I guess I need to fire a few rounds and see how the .223's run.
Posted by Pelican13
Ratchet City, LA
Member since Jul 2013
65 posts
Posted on 7/28/22 at 3:20 pm to
I would say my grouping is within the size of your hand from about 100 yds out
Posted by Ol boy
Member since Oct 2018
2957 posts
Posted on 7/28/22 at 3:29 pm to
quote:

16 inch barrel and 1:8 twist. I guess I need to fire a few rounds and see how the .223's run.

1-8 is the sweet spot in barrel twist and it should be hand sized if not better. My 18in heavy barrel 1-8 stacks 62 grain fusion on top of each other and they are deadly on deer and hogs up to 150yrd verified.
Posted by Pelican13
Ratchet City, LA
Member since Jul 2013
65 posts
Posted on 7/28/22 at 3:40 pm to
I'll see if I can find some Fusion, shot those out of my .270 and like them. I also forgot to mention that I am running a suppressor on this setup as well.
Posted by thejudge
Westlake, LA
Member since Sep 2009
14098 posts
Posted on 7/28/22 at 3:50 pm to
Pick up a 7.62x39 upper from bear creek and some magazines from c products and swap the upper out as you can use the same lower and mow hogs with the 7.62 if your concerned.

It's a hog killing machine.

The 223 fusion is a great round.

A 223 wylde barrel will be more accurate for both 556 and 223
Posted by armsdealer
Member since Feb 2016
11537 posts
Posted on 7/28/22 at 4:06 pm to
quote:

bear creek


Garbage parts and garbage assembly.

To the OP. .223 is fine, 5.56 is the same cartridge with a hair tad change in specs. I'd get the best bullet you could find for hunting and not worry about if it was .223 or 5.56. All likely hood it will be in .223.



Posted by Shexter
Prairieville
Member since Feb 2014
14004 posts
Posted on 7/28/22 at 4:06 pm to
quote:

forgot to mention that I am running a suppressor on this setup as well.


Did you sight it in with the suppressor attached? Sometimes the suppressor shifts the point of impact.
Posted by Pelican13
Ratchet City, LA
Member since Jul 2013
65 posts
Posted on 7/28/22 at 4:09 pm to
Yeah, I have sighted it in with the suppressor. I guess I need to double check when I put .223's down range. Dumb statement, but I need to re-sight it in when changing rounds.
Posted by thejudge
Westlake, LA
Member since Sep 2009
14098 posts
Posted on 7/28/22 at 4:09 pm to
quote:

Garbage parts and garbage assembly


For shooting hogs in the woods and the shitload of rounds I put through two of mine has worked for me.

Posted by MetroAtlantaGatorFan
Member since Jun 2017
15598 posts
Posted on 7/28/22 at 4:28 pm to
.223 is advertised as being faster but that's only because it's measured out of a 24" barrel for some reason.
Posted by HoboDickCheese
The overpass
Member since Sep 2020
9418 posts
Posted on 7/28/22 at 4:55 pm to
How far out are you shooting?
quote:

running a suppressor on this setup as well
get a 300 blackout upper if you are inside of 100 or so yards. My SBR is a tack driver inside of 120 with subs
Posted by Pelican13
Ratchet City, LA
Member since Jul 2013
65 posts
Posted on 7/28/22 at 5:07 pm to
Our current setup has us shooting about 125yds. I have a PSA 300 B/O. For some reason I never had much success with it. But again, I've only used FMJ ammo with it. Maybe I should try out different ammo with it as well. I might be over thinking this whole process but I can't stop thinking about it. Hahaha
Posted by kengel2
Team Gun
Member since Mar 2004
31018 posts
Posted on 7/28/22 at 5:09 pm to
Bullet selection would matter more than 5.56 or 223.

I'd use a good bonded bullet like the 64gr nosler. Winchester makes a 64gr PowerPoint that would work well.

But as you already know, a 55fmj does it to.

As far as accuracy, if you don't reload, buy a few boxes of ammo and just pick the ones that shoot the best.
Posted by HoboDickCheese
The overpass
Member since Sep 2020
9418 posts
Posted on 7/28/22 at 5:29 pm to
Barrel length and twist on your 300? mass produced 300 blackout sub loads are terribly inconsistent in my experience. Years ago I stocked up on Lehigh
Posted by armsdealer
Member since Feb 2016
11537 posts
Posted on 7/28/22 at 5:55 pm to
quote:

Sometimes the suppressor shifts the point of impact.


All the times the suppressor shifts the point of impact. You might not notice it but physics is undefeated.
first pageprev pagePage 1 of 2Next pagelast page

Back to top
logoFollow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to get the latest updates on LSU Football and Recruiting.

FacebookTwitterInstagram