FMJ for Prairie dogs

[Ironworker]

When that entity in the Oval office wanted to take certain 223 ammo from us I rush to store to buy some American eagle FMJ . Well thinking of pulling the bullets and replacing them with 55gr V-Max ,but its also a hassle . So are the doggies going to run back in their holes after impact ,even under 200 yds ?

 

[22DASHER]

I loaded up a couple hundred fireforming loads a few years ago with 55 grain FMJ's to shoot prairie dogs. And also a couple hundred with 55 grain Ballistic tips. Thank goodness I loaded up the Noslers because after shooting a couple dozen dogs with the FMJ's I put them right back in the vehicle. Pulled those bullets when I got home. Horrible performance.

 

[abishai]

I would say dont do it because of ricochet hazard alone

 

[Ironworker]

I'm pulling the bullets and replacing them with same weight V-Maxs . 25.5grs of some type of Ball powder is in them.

 

[Scotsman1]

Ironworker, I ve shot Thousands of them over the years with the Varmint Grenade to FMJ.
Bottom line is, when 55grs flying at 3000fps hits a 2 Lb rat, It turns them to a pink mist.
Changing bullets isn't going to assure a greater kill.
There's no such thing as making em' "MORE DEAD".
Just shoot the little bastards, and laugh.

 

[waterfwlr]

You absolutely would get more crawl offs. The ricochets could be dangerous. Shooting fmj would take a lot of the fun out of it IMO.

 

[people]

You absolutely would get more crawl offs. The ricochets could be dangerous. Shooting fmj would take a lot of the fun out of it IMO.

All ricochets are dangerous. All bullets can bounce if shot at a very shallow angle.

 

[waterfwlr]

You absolutely would get more crawl offs. The ricochets could be dangerous. Shooting fmj would take a lot of the fun out of it IMO.

All ricochets are dangerous. All bullets can bounce if shot at a very shallow angle.

Of course. But much more with a FMJ.

 

[people]

Of course. But much more with a FMJ.

One would think that. I was shooting 22cal TNT and when my Grandfather came over he asked if I was shooting solids. That is what he calls FMJ bullets. I held a mag with TNT in it and said no spear TNT. He told me everyone I had shot bounced.

 

[5spd]

I'm pulling the bullets and replacing them with same weight V-Maxs . 25.5grs of some type of Ball powder is in them.

Glad to see you are pulling & replacing them.
On all the ranches I shoot p-dogs on NOT 1 rancher wants you using FMJ anything.
They have enough issues without a bullet that keeps on going and into one of their stock.
I also will not take anyone out that plans to use FMJ.
The shooting range yes, hunting/varmints...nope.
Those TNT bullets also bounce as stated above as well as those low angle shots even with vmax style bullets.

 

[LCazador]

Many states ban FMJ's for hunting. Not a good idea to use FMJ's.

 

[sdbob]

Just remember that some of the cheap FMJ's are steel jackets and can start fires. If a magnet will stick be careful where you shoot it. We have had some fires started in the Black Hills by target shooters already this spring!

 

[CSM19Z5M]

You can shoot them but why? Make sure the shot kills the little buggers on impact by using varmint bullets. I have used just about every type of bullet over the years and the VMAX and some others are far and away the best for immediate kill. But more importantly, and regardless of where you hunt, almost all bullets will ricochet at small angles of impact and that's a no-no. A lot of us hunt PD's in alfalfa country and a ricochet will puncture an irrigation pivot or wound livestock very easily. If you want to punch paper with the FMJ go ahead. But use the right bullet for varmint hunting and be responsible.