I know not everyone is a fan of the Blue dot loads in the .223 Rem, but I am heading for a ranch with a good rock chuck population but also a large number of expensive exotic animals that the owners don't want to upset with LOUD shooting. I probably could take a few shots with their preferred rifle in 22 mag., but would prefer to use one of my own and have found a decent load with 8.0 gr of Blue Dot Powder and the 40 gr Sierra HP. My question is which bullet do you think would give the best performance at the low velocity I will be loading for? (Around 2100 fps 8 feet from the muzzle) I have 40 gr Nosler Ballistic Tips, 40 gr Hornady V-Max 2nd's with the blue tip, and the 40 gr Sierra HP's. If I had more time, I would probably try to work up a quiet load with a 55 gr Sp or 52 gr HP, but I am going next week and the 8.0 gr load with the 40 gr Sierra or V-Max is right around MOA with my Weatherby and seems only a little noisier than a .22 Mag. Opinions?

At those velocities I'd say it would be a toss up between the Sierra 40HP and the Vmaxs. The Sierras were developed a long time ago when ridicoulous generated speed from varminters wasn't the norm (except for the 220 Swift and the 22 Varminter((also known as the 22-250)). And Sierra has always had the reputation for 1) ACCURRACY 2) PERFORM the same way every time 3) AFFORDABLE..........up until now with the "plastic tip" of the BlitzKings costing a good bit more than their Hornady counterparts. A good rule of thumb for bullet manufacturers to remember is this:
1) ACCURRACY AND PERFORMANCE.......SIERRA
2) ACCURRACY And hoped for performance.. Nosler
3) Decent accuracy, blood and guts..HORNADY
4) Decent accuracy, affordability......SPEER
5) Berger, Barnes.........let the BR folks have them!! 2 things they have that I don't..money and time!!
SIERRA will fill the bill on whatever you want to task them with!! GHD

Thanks for the reply, GHD. You sound like a man after my own heart. I just wasn't sure that the Sierras would perform well at that low a velocity. They are accurate, even a little more accurate than the V-Max, I just wonder if the V-Max might give better "blood and guts". I don't like it when critters run off (or crawl off) after being tagged. If I had my druthers, I would be launching the 40 gr Ballistic Tip at them at 3700 fps out the muzzle, but that makes a bit of a racket which upsets the blackbucks, nilgai, wallaroos, zebras and giraffes they have running about the place. I still may opt for the Sierra bullet though, since it is more accurate and there is no guarantee the V-Max would be dramatically better at the 2100 fps muzzle velocity we are talking about.
Thanks again for replying. Appreciate the input.

Individual rifles really tend to not care what brand name is on a box. They are also very unpredictable in what they will like and are not very "brand loyal".

For every gun that a guy can produce that shoots best with Seirra bullets, I can produce another identical gun that shoots BETTER groups with Berger, Hornady, Nosler or Speer. It's not 1980 anymore and Seirra is not the only producer of high accuracy factory slugs.

In terms of terminal performance and down range ballistics, at 2,100 FPS you will need all the Ballistic co-coefficient and expansion you can get. Use the plastic point slugs if your gun shoots them well.

I would not use the Nosler BTs due to expansion. They are a bit tougher and will work best at full .223 velocities.

Both the Sirra BlitzKings and Hornady V-max slugs WILL open up more consistently on live target than an HP slug. With a 20% better BC they will also drift less and shoot flatter.

For that application, I'd load up the Sierra 40 HPs first, and the V Maxes as backup...

If yoiu are out buyng bullets, don't overlook 45 grain bullets meant for the Hornet, or even a few 40 grainers meant for the Hornet..

I've burned a lot of 46 gr HP from Winchester in 223 Blue Dot loads..

if Range is not to be very far, Speer has a 45 grain FN intended for the old Lever Action 218 Bees out there...

When buying bullets we always think 223.. but the shelves also have plenty of bullets designed for the Hornet and Bee that excellent low velocity choices... all just depends on how far you are setting your max range at...

the Win 46 HP is a sleeper, for both accuracy and explosiveness, both at high or low speeds..

its like a RN with a Hole in the middle, where they left out pouring in a lead core...

Most of my .22 Centerfires do a little better with 40 grain Ballistic Tips than with 40 grain V-Max in terms of accuracy. HOWEVER, when the issue is low velocity expansion and minimizing potential ricochet, I would advise using the V-Max. Most people don't realize how deeply penetrating the solid base is, even on the varmint versions of the great Ballistic Tip. I've also found all of the Sierras to expand adequately at .22 Hornet velocities, although you are shooting for an even slower speed.

Another suggestion would be to step down to the 35 grain V-Max which is intended for the .22 Hornet. I have some Blue Dot loads that I use in the Hornet with these bullets at 2250 fps and it is not only quite accurate but also exhibits devastating expansion. This load literally separated a cottontail rabbit into two distinct "halves", something you would only expect with much higher velocities.

The 35gr. Hornady V-Max would be perfect for your intended use. I shoot it in my Hornet and have found it much more explosive than any of the 40 grainers. More accurate too, at least out of my rifle.

Thanks for your replies. Since I am kind of a bargain hunter, I may order up some Hornady 50 gr SPSX bullets, since they are back in stock at Powder Valley for a little over $11 a box. They have shot well in my rifles at standard .223 velocities and I think they should also perform adequately in reduced loads. I do appreciate the suggestion of the 35 gr V-Max, too. I will keep my eye out for some on sale, as they should be perfect for my application. Thanks again.

I and my wife both use the Hornady V-Max bullet in the .223, 40grn and 50 grn bullet. Actually I use V-Max in the 22-250 and the .204 caliber also.
I find them to be accurate in our rifles and very explosive on varmints.

The 34 gr. HP Varmint Nite Mare from Mid South has proven accurate from 2700 to 4150 fps. roger

The 50 grain SPSX is my favorite bullet for a 1-12 .223. Any Hornet bullet would also be ideal for what your doing. Pat Moore