What bullet would a rancher like?

[Coyotefurharvester]

One of the ranches I shoot on. The son (adult) has an AR with a day/night scope, shooting probably anything that needs shooting with it. What bullet should I load for it, coyote, prairie dog, badger, sick cow, deer? antelope? 55gr sp ? No hogs.

 

[Pyscodog]

A 55 grain Sierra Blitz (not BlitzKing) would be a great all around bullet IMO.

 

[marchboom]

Do you mean ranchers along the southern TX border? Lots of predators in the area.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

No southern border issues, just ranch work. I'll check out the Sierra, I just received the 5th addition Sierra load book. It has AR loads in it, none of my other bullet manufacturer books have AR data. 10.00 from 3rd generation shooting supplies

 

[3Ackleys]

77 TMK is what you want.

 

[Knotwild]

I agree with 3Akleys. If his rifle will shoot them accurately. Or I have had good results with the open tipped match.

 

[RegionRat]

Depending on the twist....

Good strong backstop with no livestock or ricochet risks... 77 TMK

Livestock and lots of irrigation, buildings, ricochet risks.... something like a 40 - 53 VMax so that it comes apart.

Just depends on the job being done and if there is any real concern with terminal effects.

There is a new kid on the block called the Hornady 62 VT which I only just got my hands on but I haven't tested it yet, so I don't have any opinion on how it does at magazine length.

 

[JSH]

Hornady 2266. It flys well, won’t come undone with high rpms, and they are easy to find and reasonably priced.
Local guys were using them on deer with good success.
I won’t say 22 caliber is good deer medicine, but I have seen 100-150 yard with this bullet and properly placed work.

 

[K22]

As Regional Rat stated, depends on twist rate.

I would not use Sierra Blitz bullets as stated in post #2 since these have very thin jackets and were designed for the 222 and 223 with 12 and 14" twist and for light varmints. They tend to not penetrate very deep.

For more substantial critters, I would use the 55 Sierra BTHP if the twist will permit it. If a fast twist such as 8", I would select the 60 Vmax. I have no experience with twist rates above 8"

I personally would not use a 223 for deer or antelope. If I did, I would choose the 60 grain Nosler Partition bullet if the twist will permit it. The new Sierra 65 grain Game King might be a good choice too, but I've never shot this bullet.

 

[mmcu]

70 grain Speer SP.

 

[Andy Work]

There is a new kid on the block called the Hornady 62 VT which I only just got my hands on but I haven't tested it yet, so I don't have any opinion on how it does at magazine length.

I hadn't heard of that one yet. It sounds interesting.

22 Cal .224 62 gr ELD-VT™

 

[AWS]

55gr Horñady SP it is a very reasonably priced do-all bullet.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

Also considering the Sierra 1365, Sierra says it is a hard jacket, meant for high velocity .224, the 55 varminter is harder than a blitz. I have some 1365, and can order them(on hand), so I probably will load up a couple dozen and try them in my 2 AR's. At minimum I will be experimenting with bullets I don't normally shoot.

 

[SD guy]

A number of varmint bullets look, to serve all but a few of your task well. Expect a tough expanding bullet will be a good addition for the occasional larger critter, to be put down.

 

[SD guy]

Do you know the barrel rate of twist?

 

[Frankm]

+1 to Hornady 55 sp as all around, economic choice. Not too explosive but fairly tough in larger game. (Coyote, Badger or close range Deer)

Will handle high velocities also.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

Saw his rifle once, last time at the ranch. I was showing him my 20p with thermal scope on the death grip tripod. Told him he needed a tripod for night work. Guessing it's an 1/9 or 1/8 twist 20" barrel. If I stay in the 55 gr ish, non tipped, I can create a "general" load. He also talked about starting to reload, so I will try for an easy to replicate load.

 

[DHD]

Just to be different, a Sierra 65 grain GameKing. I bought many years back and they are accurate and effective. They aren't MatchKing accurate in my many rifles but still very good even to 300 yards. You can push them pretty fast too.

I read your post after I had posted. The bullet I mentioned does work in a 1-9 twist.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

https://www.powdervalley.com/product/hornady-224-22-55-gr-sp-w-c/
I really like these with a Lee factory crimp die as the last process.
edit: just saw that @JSH recommended the same bullet.

 

[long40shot]

The hornady 60grn SP is a great bullet.