What bullets are you guys using for small varmints in 222, 223, and the 22-250. Which work best for a combination of accuracy and explosiveness. I do have some varmint pack 50gr. Blastic Tips. that I am going to try. Any other sudjestions?
I have found that the new Barnes VLCs are really good and work real well. However, I still use the sierra matchkings 52gr BTHP as well depending on the gun itself. I just got a new 22-250 .250'' neck and I loaded up rounds in the VLCs, the MK, Hornady V-max's, and Nosler Ballistic Tips; because they all do well. Find what shoots best out of you gun and I don't think you will be disapointed with that bullet
The two Sierra Blitz Kings in 50 gr and 55 gr. Also the 40 gr Hornady V-Max shoots well inmy 1/9 Ar type , 22-250 1/14 twist, 222 remington BR rifle. These will do .3 moa
Posts: 202 | Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA | Registered: 18 February 2001
I've been using the sierra 52gr BTHP match for over 20 years now. I've tried nearly every .224 bullets that's made, but I keep coming back to the Sierra.
Nashcat
Posts: 331 | Location: MiddleTennessee | Registered: 26 May 2002
I once tried some 40 grain Sierras ( thin jackets intended for use at Hornet velocities ) in max loads from a 22-250. Those bullets would disintergrate about 40 yards from the muzzle. Kind of fun to see.
Not sure if they even still make them as I don't have a hotrod .224 rifle any longer, but back when I did I shot a lot of Hornady SX bullets. (Super Explosive) The shot good and did some evil things to the varmints they caught up with. I've always found Hornady bullets very consistent performers.
------------------ A well placed bullet is worth 1,000 ft/lbs of energy.
Posts: 19677 | Location: New Mexico | Registered: 23 May 2002
I use both Hornady 68 gr BTHP and Sierra 69gr BTHP in my Sav heavy barrel .223 with 1 in 9 twist with Accurate 2200 powder. Will shoot 1/2 inch if I'm having a good day. Never was able to get 55 gr bullets to shoot in that fast twist. Both of those bullets cause prairie dogs to explode!
Posts: 12 | Location: South Dakota | Registered: 01 May 2002
Practically any .224 bullet at centerfire velocities will give rapid expansion -- I've had excellent luck with Sierra's, Noslers, and others. However, my favorite for .222 and .223 velocities is the Speer TNT. It gives outstanding accuracy and strikes the target with a detonation-like expansion.
Posts: 13243 | Location: Henly, TX, USA | Registered: 04 April 2001
For high volume squirrel blasting I have been using plain old Remington 50gr hollow points in 222, 223 & 22-250. They are inexpensive, accurate, and delightfully devastating.
------------------ there's a fine line between hobby and mental illnes
Posts: 8169 | Location: humboldt | Registered: 10 April 2002
I don't see any comments regarding the Nosler Balistic tips. Is the general concensus that these are not as good as the Sierra, Hornady and Speer bullets for varmints? I load the Nosler 50 grain BT in my .22-250 with very good accuracy, but have yet to see their affect on varmints. Just wondering why noone is commenting on the Noslers.
------------------ "If it ain't a 45/70, it's just a passing fad"
Posts: 487 | Location: Central Texas | Registered: 07 December 2001
No, I don't think that's the concensus at all. The Nosler BT may not be quite as explosive as some wide hollow points or super thin-skinned conventional bullets, but they expand redily and reliably and you will find them extremely effective on varmints.
Posts: 13243 | Location: Henly, TX, USA | Registered: 04 April 2001
quote:Originally posted by Shark Bait: I don't see any comments regarding the Nosler Balistic tips. Is the general concensus that these are not as good as the Sierra, Hornady and Speer bullets for varmints? I load the Nosler 50 grain BT in my .22-250 with very good accuracy, but have yet to see their affect on varmints. Just wondering why noone is commenting on the Noslers.
expense
Posts: 565 | Location: Walker, IA, USA | Registered: 03 December 2001
Perhaps a bit off topic, I know... Although certainly not a premium bullet these ones are interesting.... A guy down here has a business making .22 cal projectiles from .22lr fired brass. They get extruded (takes out the rim and makes it a hollow cylinder, closed at one end) then they get filled with hot lead and run through a crimp that makes them a hollowpoint. They look really weird as on the base of the projectile is the mark from the firing pin and the manufacturers logo. I weighed a few of them, they were supposed to be 50gn. Most were spot on but some were +/- 2 gns.
Absolutely devestating on foxes, and I imagine on other light game... Justa real oddity.
Has anyone tried the Blitz/SX (not the polymer tipped jobbies) in a 1-9" twist? My Savage .223 is of that spin and shoots nearly anything wonderfully - I've just never tried any of the frangible ones in it.
I HAVE managed to disintegrate target bullets in 1-8" and 1-7" barrels so I'm leery of how the lightly constructed ones might perform.
Anybody know?
I tried the .22LR-cum-.224 bullets someone was making maybe 10 years ago, but they were so inaccurate I ran them thru a 5.56 machinegun. Sounds like yours work better!
Redial
Posts: 1121 | Location: Florence, MT USA | Registered: 30 April 2002
quote:Originally posted by Shark Bait: I don't see any comments regarding the Nosler Balistic tips. Is the general concensus that these are not as good as the Sierra, Hornady and Speer bullets for varmints? I load the Nosler 50 grain BT in my .22-250 with very good accuracy, but have yet to see their affect on varmints. Just wondering why noone is commenting on the Noslers.
In my opinion, the Noslers are THE bullet for high-pressure/high-velocity rounds like the 22-250, 220 Swift, and big wildcats (22-6mm and such), because they have that very thick solid base which resists deformation. Unfortunately, that solid base also results in about 20% of the bullet actually holding together, which makes them compare unfavorably to the really frangible bullets being listed above.
I'll stick with Noslers in fast-twist rifles and high-energy rifles (220 & 22-250s, etc). For the 222 and 223, I've used the old Hornady SPSX and liked it, and have pretty much shot the V-Max for the past couple to four years.
This thread is convincing me to give the Speer TNT, Sierra BlitzKing, and Berger MEF bullets a try. Calhoon too, if I can find 'em.
I like the 45gr V MAX and the Remington 50gr PT in my 222 Remington and the 45gr Barnes X bullet and the 55gr V MAX out of my 22-250 they all shot good
I've found the Starke .224 bullets to be the most explosive I have used. The Nosler seems to be much better in the wind and do the job just fine.Gary Malsbury
I like the Speer TNT hollow point. IT'S HUGE, Ballistics aren't the best to be frank,(no wonder,it has that big gapping hole in the center) but accracy is good enough for P dogs at 200 yards. skinner
Just made a batch 35gr. v-max for my H-bar[.223].22gr of imr4198 was pushing them around 3450fps,and grouping nicely.Looking forward to trying them out in the field
Posts: 2119 | Location: woodbine,md,U.S.A | Registered: 14 January 2002
I just gotta jump in with the 50 gr TNT folks. These things just splatter stuff! In a 223 at about 3075 they will literally flip a 10 lb. rochchuck off a rock @ 100 yards, we got it on film and weighed the 'chuck. And they blow chunks more consistantly than my 6mm Ackley with an 87 gr. V-Max @ 3650 and these things work great but the TNT is still better just not as high of a B.C., obviously. Good Shooting! "Z"
Posts: 352 | Location: Grand Island, NE. USA | Registered: 26 January 2001
In my Savage .223 I've managed to stoke 'em all up (40-grainers that is) enough to make nice little "puffs" about 10 metres downrange ;( ----- except Nosler. I used powder loads that would make Mr Savage's eyes water -- and the Nosler held together and gave MOA accuracy. (Do not try this at home -- I am a trained profe ..... no I'm not, forget it)
However, on live game the most "oomph" factor I've had has been from either V-Max (I'm a big fan) or BlitzKings --- these were out of my old 340 Savage at, again, max+ loads for 3000+ fps. For example, a fox centre-chest shot at 50 metres held together, but an autopsy showed the heart, lungs and other "top end" organs (I'm no doctor), were little more than a red jelly. Some ribs were dislocated from their anchorage points and "free floating". The hydrostatic pressure (I assume) had bulged the eyes at least 1/2 an inch forwards. The fox took one step (literally) after being hit ---- no flip-flops, no twitches -- just --- dead! Can't ask for more than that.
I'd like to try some Starke bullets because of their great reputation, but importation into Australia is a problem. Might have to try some Bergers and see what they can do. This is all part of the fun of owning a firearm
Bruce
[ 06-06-2002, 15:19: Message edited by: BIWOZ ]
Posts: 104 | Location: Perth, Australia | Registered: 21 May 2002
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