50gr GMX

[Barlow]

I was looking thru my Natchez catalog and I see Hornady is making a 50 gr, .224 GMX bullet. Have any of the crew tried them on game yet, thinking deer? If so, what 's your opinion. Thanks, Barlow

 

[wboggs]

I am also interested in anyone who has tried this bullet. I have a .22-6mm that should give them over 4200fps. Would like to give them a try on a well placed shot on deer at fairly close range.

 

[searcher]

You might want to look at the 62 Barnes TSX - will give you something "extra" and can still shoot out of a 1-9". If your twist is slower than 1-9", the 50's are probably your only option and would only use them for very well positioned shots at close to moderate distances. I use them on coyotes when they are out past 300 yards (as oposed to varmint grenades at the closer ranges).

 

[wboggs]

Searcher Any experience with the Barnes on deer? My twist is 1-8 so that is not a problem. I would not shoot at a deer further than 200yds with a .224 cal.
Bill

 

[Barlow]

I am not sold on the 53gr TSX. It worked well on one buck and a pass thru with no expansion on the next one. Long story short, it got away. Cartridge 220 Swift. I have killed 40-50 deer with a Swift and 50 gr. 55 gr and Hornady 60 gr HP's and never lost one. I don't mean to start a flame, but the next deer I shoot with my Swift, I'll be using the 60 gr Hornady hp. Barlow

 

[wboggs]

How far were you shooting? A Swift definitely has the velocity for quick kills. Are you getting much penetration with the Hornady? Bullets in your Swift will perform about the same in my .22-6mm and I am searching for answers before working up a Load.
Bill

 

[Barlow]

The one that got away, 50 yards tops. You're luck with tsx's may be great, many guys swear by them. Barlow

 

[fredhorace77]

I am not sold on the 53gr TSX. It worked well on one buck and a pass thru with no expansion on the next one. Long story short, it got away. Cartridge 220 Swift. I have killed 40-50 deer with a Swift and 50 gr. 55 gr and Hornady 60 gr HP's and never lost one. I don't mean to start a flame, but the next deer I shoot with my Swift, I'll be using the 60 gr Hornady hp. Barlow

+1
ive had similar experience using that 53 tsx on hogs. it acted like a FMJ out of my 223 at 52 yards. i went back to the hp's also

 

[wboggs]

Fifty yards out of a Swift and he walks. Makes you wonder about the hydroshock theory some advocate.
Bill

 

[Barlow]

I think bullet expansion is needed to transfer shock, at least magnify it. But like P.O. Ackley said, any cartridge that is capable of outstanding success is also capable of outstanding failure". Myself and others than I have and do hunt with have used Swifts for many years on deer with great success. We do use many other cartridges too. The fact is anything can happen, and it's hard to put the cause in a perfect basket every time. I have made bad shots with the Swift on deer, guts, brisket etc, and if they don't lay where hit, they are too sick to travel far. So I attribute the shock effect to these hits, as well as when hit in the vitals they are most often drt. As with any cartridge bullets are everything. In my older age I like what Jim Carmichel said, "my favorite rifle is the one I'm carrying". Good luck to all hunting this fall. Barlow

 

[wboggs]

I have seen high speed photos of enormous shock wave cavities in gelatin. I agree with your general comments. I have shot a lot of deer through both lungs with proper bullets and they ran 50yds. or so. Most notable was a doe at 50yds using a .270 Wby. with 130 Nosler Parts. Showed no signs of the hit.
Thanks for your comments. Bill

 

[searcher]

I have no experience shooting deer with the 62 Barnes (or the 50 GMX), but have shot a lot of coyotes with them and a lot of big game with the larger TSX's in larger calibers. My rationale for thinking the 62's would be better is because of the experiences I have had with the coyotes. The good thing about these monolithic bullets is they open up reliably at short and long distances. If going warp speed and hit something close - it may blow the petals off but that has been, in my own experience, a rare deal. I have shot coyotes out a ways and actually not had the small monos exit. On a coyote, no big deal as the energy was entirely expended into the critter and I am not a fur hunter. On a deer - I ALWAYS want a pass-thru. I have seen a lot of pigs shot in the head with the small monos and NONE of them went anywhere. I'm sure it would be the same for any deer, regardless of body size. In my book penetration rules - and the monos do that well - and open up reliably. Just that the smaller ones may not make it through unless close and/or perfect conditions were in order. If you shoot 'em in the head - I think they all work. Bottom line - if they can at times be marginal on coyotes - they will be more so on deer.

 

[searcher]

Thought it interesting to add that Powder Valley has loaded 62 TSX ammo from Silver State Armory for $15.00 per box if somebody wanted to try a box. Cheaper than buying components! Find them in the Specials section.

 

[Juma]

We shoot a lot of stags with both 55gr and 62gr Barnes TSX. None walk.