Since you were all so helpful with my other question, I've got one more for you. In addition to my 22-250, I plan on taking my 240NMC (essentially a 6XC) bolt rifle with me on this ground squirrel hunt to be able to give the 22-250 a rest and for longer shots. I've got good loads pushing 105-107 grain bullets at 3000fps. The three bullets I have to choose from are the Berger 105 VLD (older, probably thin jacket), Hornady 105 A-max, and Sierra 107 MK. They are all neck and neck for velocity and accuracy. Which would give the best terminal performance on squirrels at 250-500 yards?

Try a 62 gr Varmint Grenade by Barnes, at say 3700 fps/ MV

I'm sure that would blow them up quite nicely, but I don't have time or the inclination to work up a load for that bullet. I do have loads for the three bullets listed and am asking for others experience in use on small light critters. I've only used them on paper targets and they all perform very well both accuracy wise ass well as punching a hole through...

None of those bullets are designed for terminal performance on either game or varmints. However, with an animals as small as a ground squirrel any hit will be fatal so it is irrelavent which bullet you might use.

Do be aware that any of these bullets may be more subject to ricochet than lighter, faster varmint-type bullets, so be cautious about things you would not desire to perforate with a bullet lurking long distances beyond the squirrel you are shooting at.

quote:

Originally posted by Stonecreek:


Do be aware that any of these bullets may be more subject to ricochet than lighter, faster varmint-type bullets, so be cautious about things you would not desire to perforate with a bullet lurking long distances beyond the squirrel you are shooting at.

Good point.

I use the Barnes 62 Grain Varmint Grenade in my homemade Savage varminter, chambered for the .243 WSSM in a 1:8" twist Brux barrel. M.V. is averaging 3,580 fps. 10 shot groups @ 100 yards average in the .2's and .3's. When hunting Oregon sage rats in irrigated alfalfa, the rats completely disintegrate leaving no traces except a small patch of plowed ground and a tunnel cut into the alfalfa from rat and bullet fragments. While the bullets vary in length at the tip, they are spot on at the ogive when measured by a comparator - they need to be seated off the lands .020" or more for accuracy. They also need a fast twist barrel which shouldn't be any problem for the 6-XC, 1:8" is the minimum as these bullets range between .974" - 981" in length. I tried them in the 6mm PPC, but the 1:14' twist wouldn't stabilize them, not would a 1:10". Because these bullets use a powdered metal core they do not ricochet and are lead free.