.223 varmint bullet?

[AckleymanII]

The 50 and 55g Sierra lead tip blitz are unreal accurate out of my custom guns and will blow chucks up along with coyotes, p.dogs and ground squirrels.

You can spend a lot more money on poly tip bullets, but you will not be unhappy with the lead tip blitz bullets in accuracy or performance.

 

[fdshuster]

Recently bought a very nice older Rem 700, 26' varmint barrel, 22-250, naturally with the traditional 1-14 twist. Tried the 55 V-Max & they would not stabilize, while 53 & lighter are fine. Then began comparing O.A.L., the V-Max being .815' versus the 55 gr. Sierra HPBT Gameking #1390 at .715' a full 1/10 of an inch shorter. Group sizes are almost 1/2 the size of the V-Max, & the Sierra #1390 is doing a great job on our 12 to 14# Pa. G'Hogs. Might be able to get the V-Max to stabilize if I pushed them at a higher velocity, but with 34.5 of H4895 and .020' of jump the #1390s remain my first choice. Other great bullets out there, I know & not trying to take anything away from them.

 

[cliffy]

After recently having discovered .243 Winchester 70 grain Nosler Ballistic Tips, I've laid my .223 Remington aside temporarily. .243 Winchester 70 Grains-3350 FPS-3/4' 100 Yard Groups. Less a split lip, and a blemish across my upper lip, I'm learning to harness this new-found power. I'd say three-times more recoil results in fully two-times more devestation. Barrel-heating is now more a concern than ever before with .223 Remington fare. Love the increase in powder capacity, with Hodgdon H4350 powder instead of Alliant RL-10x. Both powders are the best in their fare, but WOW, H4350 is the champion of .243 fare, hands-down. Big bullet .243 Winnie-Pooh 100 grainers do perform best with Alliant RL-22 powder, but H4350 rules the 62 to 90 grainers with vast aplumb. My findings to date, Cliffy

 

[2506]

I will second the 50 gr Sierra Blitz bullets in the 223. I use to have a Savage 110 that was dead accurate with these and they really come apart on a groundhog. I kick myself for letting that rifle get away. I also switched to the 243 Win and used the old 75 gr Nosler solid base bullet then the when that stopped making that I used the 70 ballistic tip and man do they turn a groundhog inside out. If you want to vaporize groundhog size varmints use the Sierra 87 gr varminter SPT in a 25-06 at around 3500 fps. Red mist city.
I have been shooting groundhogs with my AR-15 223 with Sierra 69 gr Match Kings and have not had a single one take a step after taking a hit. It blows golf ball size exits.

 

[cliffy]

Experience will determine which bullet works best for you and your rifle. We can only offer experience, but what works for you will eventually supercede any 'given advice.' I could say, however, that I have my favorites, and the more I practice with chronograph, the more I slip into my 'standards of carnage.' cliffy

 

[j_22250]

you hit the nail on the head with that one cliffy. i was jst really surprised with the results i got with factory loaded sierra 55bthp,federal premium). i might as well have been shooting ball ammo outta my ranch rifle. a good hit should have dropped them dead. my 22mag. with cci tnt hp's has done a way better job in the past. i have yet to go back out again, but i have some nosler 55 ballistic tips loaded up for next time. i'm not looked for carnage jst to be able to ancore varmints quick. from my experience i also think soft points blow up pretty well. anyways, thanks for everyones response to the subject.

 

[cliffy]

A-Max's are designated target fare with thin-jacketed, very accurate TARGET fare. V-Max's are designated, explosive Varmint bullets for COYOTE hunting. Please, do not confuse the two very different bullets. Neither are suitable for deer hunting, see 60 grain Nosler Partition for .223 usage, or 100 grain Speer Grand Slam bullets in .243 Winchester for deer carnage. The right bullet makes quite a difference. Cliffy

 

[oregonshooter]

I have killed more then 50 coyotes with 40 grain ballistic tips in my 22 250 and they work just fine. Same thing with 50 grain V-max. I guess it comes down to where you hit them. I try and shoot behind the shoulder if they are horizontal/ broadside. if they are running away I shoot down the back. I have no had the troubles you guys have. If you can call it trouble. As long as the coyote dies the bullet has done it's job. if he doesn't die quickly enough.. Well, Maybe we didn't do our job? I don't head shoot coyotes unless that is the only shot presented. I try and hit them in the vitals and a 40Bt at 4000 Plus just makes a mess of a coyotes vitals. We all like them to drop in their tracks but getting a hole in them is first and formost when I am shooting at them.

I don't like the thought of the other yotes stripping there buddy alive but it doesn't keep me up at night either. I have seen too many lambs killed and left by them to have much compassion.

 

[ForneyRider]

I've seen my dad kill coyote, deer and hog over 200 yards with 50gr V-Max in .22-250 in Rem 700 VLS. The reloads were my guess to approximate the Hornady Varmint Express factory ammo. They measured 3913fps through chrony.

I've shot about 12 different bullets, mostly Sierra, with my .223 AR. Sierra Blitz King 55gr was part of a combo that was most accurate in 1:9twist. I've had great luck with Nosler BT's in accuracy, but haven't hunted with any of these yet. I killed a small deer(East Texas white tail button buck) with 50gr Federal Power Shok JHP. Knocked him flat with shot right behind shoulder. He never got up.

 

[cmillard]

ive had good luck with matchkings. although some may say not to use them on varmint--but ive had some pretty impressive results.

 

[KaiserNorton]

My favorites are the 50 gr Vmax and the 50 gr TNT. Both shoot very accurately out of my Kimber 223, virtually to the same point of aim. Both have performed flawlessly on the coyotes here in ND.

Kaiser Norton

 

[cliffy]

I Agree that these two bullets are proper fare for Coyotes. I'd also advise testing 55 grain fare: Berger Varmint and Nosler Ballistic Tip. If neither of these are readily available, Nosler C/T Silver Tips are . . . currently, same bullet with a little salad dressing added. Utilizing Alliant RL-10X powder never detracts from performance and generally ADDS gobs of flavoring! cliffy

 

[CanusLatransSnpr]

In my Savage model 12 22/250 with 9" twist I have had phenomenal accuracy out of both Sierra Blitz King 55s and Nosler BT 55s. Haven't had the oportunity to anchor any critters with these bullets yet. There are so many choices of bullets out there its not even funny! For guns with a slower twist I would consider the Berger 52s that are advertised as varmint/target! They are flat base bullets so the BC isn't quite as high as the previous two mentioned bullets but, I'd bet they would get the job done.

Years ago I shot a yote right in the boiler room with a 22 WMR with 30gr ballistic tips and the rascal ran off yelping. That cured me of rimfires on yotes. Its been nothing but centerfires ever since!

 

[cliffy]

Dear Canus, 55 grain premium fare varies little regarding results downrange: 55 Grain T-N-T, 55 grain BlitzKing, 55 grain Ballistic Tip, C/T Silver-Tips, all work for me through my mighty .223 Remington. A tough enough canine, I've never encountered to resist the persuasion of such rugged fare. Love 20x powered scopes, for decisive strikes in Michigan's Upper even at 100 yards. My scope does dial-down to 6X, but I'm on Coyotes so fast at 20X, who cares about 6X "whimp" power. Constant Practice makes the impossible, really real. Cliffy

 

[cliffy]

Mighty Soon, Wolves will be an Upper Peninsula Target, doubt not! These 150 pound Monster Beasts shall become a Number One Michigan Target, due to inbreeding with crazy Malamutes, and other vicious predators (BIG DOGS). Michigan desires re-establishing ELK herds, but wolves will quell that notion swiftly. SOON will be the time of the CANINE HUNTER again, so I chose .243 Winchester Loads to deal with this rapidly approaching situation. Cliffy

 

[JohnWayne]

That has nothing to do with .223 bullet selection. Everyone on this forum has read your riddles and rants about your .223, .243, and everything else that floats through your head that has nothing to do with the topic of the post where you put it. Get a my space page or try to stay on topic.

 

[cliffy]

If one were willing to take out a loan to purchase, Speer 55 grain Bear Claws are designed for deer hunting via .22 centerfire. For a few dollars less, one could buy Nosler 60 grain Partitions designed for deer-sized quarry. Still, even with the BEST bullets, I cannot honestly recommend a .22 centerfire for deer hunting. I'm sure someone, somewhere will kill a deer with a Magnum .177 pellet air rifle to prove me wrong. NOW, speaking of coyote-sized quarry, their pelts still have some monetary value. I read where pelt buyers don't like huge holes (.24 caliber hole through both sides) in them. I also read where pelt buyers seem to like 36 grain Varmint Grenade type hole: one in-none out. Oddly enough, those are one of the very bullets I use. If managing coyotes, pelts aside, on a ranch with a lot of livestock roaming around, 55 grain Speer TNT bullets tend to not ricocette badly. I, also, favor 50-55 grain Hornady V-MAX bullets. All the above named bullets will pierce through 3/16" thick mild steel plate at 100 yards, yes, even the 36 grain VG will with sufficient speed. Nosler 55 grain Ballistic Tips will better the aforementioned bullets regarding penetration, but are more stout constructionwise. Sierra 50-55 grain BlitzKings have never failed me either. When the ridiculous ban is removed regarding Gray Wolf Hybrids in Michigan, I shall switch to .243 Winchester with preselected custom wolf loads. A 70 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip will knock against a wolf hard enough to get its full attention and to collect its pelt. Cliffy

 

[cliffy]

Hi JohnWayne, I TRY to stay on topic, and I'll try even harder. I try not to rant, but I'm me. So, pertaining strictly to .223 Remington as varmint bullets go, my prior post seems quite appropriate, except for the deer hunting skew. Cliffy

 

[CanusLatransSnpr]

Thanks for the info on .224 bullets Cliff! I live down in the SW corner of Michigan and we have coyotes, how many depends on area. I've anchored coyotes with .223 Rem shooting 55gr FMJBT with no runners. I've yet to have the opportunity to do so with my .22/250 but, the day it happens will be a good one. I have confidence in myself and my equipment to do so out to 300 yds. Thats the farthest I've been able to shoot that beast so far. I really like the 55gr. Nosler BTs and the 55gr. Sierra BKs. Both are super accurate and readily available.

Mike

 

[JohnWayne]

How is the elk and wolfe population of Michigan related in any way to varmint bullet selection for a .223? Oh , and by the way, if you want one bullet that with put down anything when fired out of a .223 try a sierra 77 grain matchking. I have killed every thing from praire dogs, fox, woodchucks, deer, hogs, badgers, horses, cats, raccoons, coyotes, dogs, and one one occasion a bull that weighed well over a ton. Use an AR-15, Varget, and aim for the head. Less typing and more trigger time.