Imagine finding that some varmint has chewed a hole in your fence and eaten half of your backyard garden. You grab your .233 and decide you’ll show him who the boss is.
Why go for a .223 Remington when facing down rodents? Because it packs just enough fire power to take care of these little critters.
Important Differences in AR Ammo
One of the most important things to know right out of the gate is that there are two types of AR-15 ammo – the 5.56 NATO cartridge and .223 Remington ammo. Selecting the right ammo is dependent upon the type of chamber in your rifle.
For example, if your rifle is manufactured to chamber the .223 Remington, that is the ammo you must use. If the rifle is chambered for the 5.56 NATO, then your rifle will accept both types of ammo.
While the size is the same, the 5.56 NATO has higher pressure, something that a rifle chambered for the .223 Remington can’t safely handle.
Both rounds are excellent for varmint hunting and target shooting. Both are highly accurate at long ranges.
In 1964, the .223 Remington cartridge was introduced to the general public for hunting varmints and predators. One month later, the United States Air Force chose the ammunition in the form of the 5.56x45mm cartridge to be used in their new M-16 rifles.
Due to its mild recoil, the .223 Remington cartridge experienced popularity across many different shooting platforms with most of the buyers being varmint hunters and those seeking to rid their territory of predators.
It was used effectively against small vermin such as rodents, skunks, feral cats, and groundhogs as well as medium-sized predators like coyotes, opossums, and racoons and foxes. It should be noted that the .223 Remington is illegal in some jurisdictions.
Current Specifications
The standard .223 cartridge uses a .224-inch diameter boat-tailed bullet in a rimless, bottle-necked case. The bullet measures 1.76 inches in length with the overall length of the round is 2.26 inches.
Standard factory loads range in weight from 35 to 85 grains. However, the most common is the 55-grain bullet. It uses a small rifle primer and has a max pressure of 55,000 PSI.
Bullet Types
Full Metal Jacket (FMJ)
The Full Metal Jacket (FMJ) is the most common type of ammo because it’s easier to manufacture and less expensive than other rounds. Standard bullet weights of FMJ ammo in .223/5.56 are 55 and 62 grain.
Ammo with lighter grain bullets work best with higher barrel twist rate like 1:8 and 1:9. The lowest common twist rate is 1:7, which is commonly used with a 62 grain bullet.
Note that the top choices of ammo on this page are FMJ bullets. It is recommended to use FMJ rounds because the power and expansion are enough. Soft points and hollow points can over penetrate and cause excessive wound channels and tissue damage.
Hollow Points (HP)
Hollow Point (HP) ammunition is most often related to personal and home defense. The cost of a hollow point is higher than an FMJ but is more effective for defense. The ballistics of an HP are similar to an FMJ, only lighter.
Soft Points (SP)
Soft Points (SP) are a popular hunting cartridge, but still popular for
AR-15 owners. The expansion of an SP is superior to an FMJ but has more control than the HP. The ballistics of SP ammo are excellent, particularly when paired with a boat-tail design.
Choosing the Target
Shooters consider bullet weight as the first indicator of the best choice of target. It’s true that .223 uses lighter bullets and is best used for plinking, varmints, and small game.
However, modern technology has increased the penetration of the ammo, making it viable for taking down medium size game.
Varmints
Varmints most often include rodents, rabbits, gophers, groundhogs, and prairie dogs. Using a round with 35-55 grains will do the job nicely without breaking the bank.
Small Game
Small game includes larger critters like fox and coyotes, both of which can cause major destruction. The .223 cartridge will work in taking down small game, but it is recommended to use a heavier round from 50-69 grains.
Medium-Sized Game
There was a time with .223 wouldn’t take down a hog or a whitetail deer. While this ammo isn’t ideal for medium game, ammo containing 69 – 77 grain bullets will work just fine. Keep in mind that with big game, shot placement becomes more crucial.
Best .223 Varmint Hunting Ammo
“Varmints” or critters are simply small animals that make pests of themselves, often destroying property. These may include rabbits, gophers, rats and other rodents, weasels, groundhogs, etc.
Because the animals are small, a great deal of power is not necessary. Medium-sized varmints and predators require more stopping power. These include coyotes, raccoons, skunks, opossums, feral dogs and cats.
Winchester Ammunition: Ballistic Silvertip 55 Grain Polymer-Tipped
The Ballistic Silvertip .223 ammo from Winchester has a polymer-tipped projectile. This is designed to prevent the bullet from deforming and allowing it to fragment for a quick expansion upon impact.
This is especially important when taking down medium sized varmints and predators from a long distance.
Ballistics Info:
- 3,240 FPS Muzzle Velocity
- 1,282 ft-lbs Muzzle Energy
- 55 Grain
- Polymer Tipped Bullet
- Nickel-Plated Brass Casing
- Boxer Primer
Remington Ammunition: JHP Cartridge 45 Grain JHP
Remington .223 ammo is a versatile round that serves well as part of your varmint hunting arsenal.
The brass casing has non-corrosive characteristics which allows you to spend time stalking your pesky prey without fear of damaging the ammo or your weapon. The Jacketed Hollow Point offers reliable expansion, accuracy, and a flat trajectory.
Ballistics Info:
- 3,550 FPS Muzzle Velocity
- 45 Grain
- JHP Bullet
- Brass Casing
- Boxer Primer
- 1259 ft-lbs Muzzle Energy
Federal Ammunition: Premium 165 Grain Nosler Ballistic Tip
Federal Premium tops our list for the best .223 Remington ammo for varmint hunting. This new production ammo is designed for maximum reliability and performance. Hunters have been using Nosler Ballistic Tip Hunting bullets for nearly 25 years.
These bullets are precision-made to provide the utmost quality and accuracy with every shot. The heavy jacket and polycarbonate tip prevent bullets from deformation during firing and remain intact at extreme velocities.
Simply put, this is one hard hitting round that will get the job done.
Ballistic Info:
- 3,240 FPS Muzzle Velocity
- 55 Grain
- Nosler Ballistic Tip Bullet
- Brass Casing
- Boxer Primer
- 1282 ft-lbs Muzzle Energy
Hornady Ammunition: Varmint Express Ammo 55 Grain V-MAX
You can’t get more specific than Hornady’s Varmint Express when it comes to getting rid of the critters around your property. HornadyV-Max ammo works well at short or long range.
Hornady equips this cartridge with a solid polymer tip designed to deliver rapid expansion as well as a thick jacket that fragments upon impact.
Ballistics Info:
- 3,240 FPS Muzzle Velocity
- 1,282 ft-lbs Muzzle Energy
- 55 Grain
- V-MAX Bullet
- Brass Casing
- Boxer Primer
Federal Ammunition: Fusion Bonded BT
Shooters rate Federal Fusion as one of the best for varmint/game hunting ammunition. The reloadable rounds have a bonded core and offer high terminal performance down range.
The heavier bullet weight and boat-tail design give excellent aerodynamics and allows for radiated shock upon impact.
Ballistic Info:
- 3,000 FPS Muzzle Velocity
- 1,239 ft-lbs Muzzle Energy
- 62 Grain
- FMJ Bullet
- Brass Casing
- Boxer Primer
Conclusion
Varmints don’t stand a chance against .223 Remington ammo. The cartridges are powerful enough to take down small pests and small to medium-sized game without breaking the bank.
This ammo is versatile, accurate, inexpensive, and easy to find. Shooters choose .223 ammo as a good all-around choice that can be used with superior results.