“ When dealing with the large capacity cases (220 Swift, 22-250, 22CM, 22XC), I can certainly understand the why someone would use heavier bullets (+75gr), but when using them for varmints, it seems like a person could easily run into a problem where either the bullets won't hold together, you're not pushing them fast enough to warrant the use of such a big case, or you're having to push a bullet that's so tough that it pencils through on impact. “
“…they are limiting themselves to 64gr-75gr bullets right off the bat “.
“…who buys a rifle with a custom barrel and only develops 2 or 3 loads for it? “
Lefty -
Howdy !
None of the following is intended to sound coarse, harsh, abrupt; or smart _ _ _ at all;
and of course…. YRMV.
I have shot the .224” cal Hornady 55SX 550+ fps above the Mv limit Hornady has suggested for that bullet. The 55SX has a .009” thin jacket, and is a FB design with secant ogive; and an exposed lead nose on the core.
Using my “ .22-35 Remington “ wildcat as an example ( capacity 49.4gr H2O ), I had zero bullet blow ups on the way to the target. I was using a 24” SS 1-14 5-groove Hart, and retired the barrel when it started to keyhole bullets after reaching 3,400+ shot count.
Within those 3,400+ shots, I encountered none of the ballistics mischief you mentioned in your first remark. But hey, that’s just my experience. It’s a case capacity within the range of case’ “ capacities “ you noted.
Your ballistics topics and their contributing factors are multi-faceted. Let’s talk about the idea of biasing bullet wt to the fore. As regarding one potentially “ limiting “ themself to a certain weight span of bullets….It think it more likely one has a specific bullet already in mind that they want to try, and moreover… would really like to see group well; along w/ good terminal ballistics. If that bullet disappoints, they then try another bullet. Sure, they might give a variety of bullets a try over time; but one often starts out w/ a preferred bullet in mind. The case size is selected based on what terminal ballistics ( and even terminal effects ) are desired when using the chosen bullet. That is different thinking than… using a heavier bullet because the case has large capacity ( in that that calibre ) …. IMHO.
If one makes informed choices on bullet ( design, construction, weight ), and also on rifling twist and case size; there are not imposing any “ limits “on themselves as regards bullet choice with respect to weight. They will be shooting pretty much exactly what they want, certainly well within a bullet wt span of the size you mentioned. More to the point, IF there is some sort of bullet “ run off “ performed; the candidate bullets would probably be the same or very close to the same weight. ( IMHO ). With this approach, the “ limit “ is what range the shooter chooses to decline humane kills at, for example… a range at which one would be concerned about having a “ crawler “ if considering taking a shot at
groundhog. “ Know when to say when “.
In response to your question:
” …who buys a [ rifle with ] custom barrel and developers only 2 or 3 loads for it ? “.
Well, I’ll give you one answer…..me. When picking the bullet first, my intent is to use that one bullet / one load ( on groundhog ) at all ranges out to the range “ limit “ mentioned above. I myself use 450 ft lb as a guide for the minimum KE I want to put on
“ Soybeanus Digestus “ @ distance. With the case capacity I mentioned and shooting an example 55SX bullet; a 25” barrel along w/ proper powder / charge choices will easily give me a valid 500yd anti-groundhog rifle; as “ wind “ in NE Indiana isn’t as large a consideration as it is out West.
Best of luck in your endeavors !
With regards,
357Mag