My daughter won a New England Firearms .223 at a NWTF Banquet last night. I dont know much about the caliber, and have a few questions? What is the best bullets to shoot? Range? What do you shoot with your?

well this is a varmit gun for coyotes, bobcats, fox. The range is 200 yards is good number. It can go father but 200 yards is probly good.

I think the most commonly used is the 55 grain FMJ for plinking as it seems the easiest and cheapest to acquire with all the surplus ammo available.
I don't use the .223 for hunting but expect that the soft points would be more common for that. The heavier bullets (62 to 69 grain) tend to deliver more energy when they hit although some drop significant velocity if that is a concern to you.
Those NEF single shots are very nice and extremely reliable rifles. I grew up using their 45-70 version and loved it to death. Their shotguns are nice too but boy do they do a job on my shoulder.
Congratulations to you and your daughter!

Spit, I've got a NEF 223 single shot. It's a good gun, but mine doesn't shoot the cheap winchester or pmc shells very well.

I bought the Rem soft point 55gr. last year and they shot great. I just bought 5 boxes of Black Hills ammo (blue/black box). It is supposed to be excellent.

It's a good gun. Mine sighted in (with the Rem soft points) at 100 yards is 6" low at 250. If you aim at a groundhog's head at any distance from 0-250...he's toast.

Congrats to your daughter on the prize!!!

Edited by - Pro-Line on 02/24/2002 19:23:23

Thanks for the advice!

A .223 is one of my all time favorite calibers. I've used it on mule deer in CA, but I don't recommend doing that. My shots on both deer were neck shots under 100 yards.

But the bullet works outstandig on AZ javelina. As well as any kind of cat in N/america. Coyotes and Fox, you have the PERFECT caliber.

As far as ammo, go with Black Hills. That stuff is quality. Almost a "match" grade bullet. The performance is awesome.

On second thought,,,your daughter has a terrible gun. The bullet is weak and not accurate...I think I should be the one to take that piece of junk off of your hands. Call me and I'll even pay for the shipping. Because friends don't let friends shoot junk guns.....<img src=icon_smile_tongue.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_tongue.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_tongue.gif border=0 align=middle>