Most explosive Varmint bullet

[MClark]

Yeah it goes by "discontinued"

That is always the story, the good stuff gets dropped.

 

[nvbroncrider]

I think the OP needs to give some more info (he hasn't responded since he posted) but what varmints and max range would be nice. I know many bullets suggested for prairie dogs I wouldn't even consider for groundhogs where I hunt and I'm sure that prairie dog hunters think groundhog bullets are too much for the smaller varmints.

Many seem to clump the two together but from what I've read (I've never hunted prairie dogs) I do not like a groundhog to craw away and they seem much tougher than a P-dog and I want the groundhogs to be dead right there, there's no pleasure from me from a wounded groundhog getting in their hole and they are not weak so I want some DRT power.

Mostly Prairie dogs and jackrabbits an occasional coyote and badger. I too like DRT. I got a 1-14" 22BR and a 1-14" 22-250 factory Ruger Varmint/Target unreal accurate best $600 I ever spent. Then I just picked up a Savage striker the other day in 22-250 14" barrel need to keep the velocity up above 3500.

I generally keep things under 200 yards as I have a bunch of irrigation equipment around but have hit coyotes out to 550 DRT with the 22-250. Got 4 in 45mins one day from 75 out to 550 without moving an inch the one at 325 tipped over backwards from the 55BT.

Just looking for ideas on what you have had sucess with if my BR doesn't like the 55BT or if there's something out there that may be a better mousetrap. Bottom like 1/4 MOA ain't good enough on the accuracy side either.



Jake

 

[nvbroncrider]

I have a 300 RUM specially built for that it is a Bartlein 30" 17 Twist. "it's a blast"

Here it is with 308 by it's side both have 110gr Vmax's



Dean

I've been known to use a 9.3X62 on jackrabbits with a 250AB. Or a 35 Rem with 158 JHP @ 2200 for in close talk about a mess!!

 

[scope eye]

Back to they original question my vote defiantly gets the Zmax's, here are some 58gr loaded in some 6mm Mach IV, which is a 7 Rem Mag necked down to 6mm and then fire formed. There is nothing like loading 80+ gr of powder and then topping it off with a bullet of significant lesser weight. 105gr and 107gr are also entertaining in this chambering.



Dean

 

[DCRYDER]

I haven't had very much luck with polymer tipped boat tail bullets in a 14" twist. They're pretty long and i think they're getting on the edge of being unstable.

For accuracy and explosiveness I'd got with the Sierra 50gr Blitzking or the same in a VMAX. The 55gr VMAX is flat based so it should do fine too.

 

[XBBR Shooter]

I think the OP needs to give some more info (he hasn't responded since he posted) but what varmints and max range would be nice. I know many bullets suggested for prairie dogs I wouldn't even consider for groundhogs where I hunt and I'm sure that prairie dog hunters think groundhog bullets are too much for the smaller varmints.

Many seem to clump the two together but from what I've read (I've never hunted prairie dogs) I do not like a groundhog to craw away and they seem much tougher than a P-dog and I want the groundhogs to be dead right there, there's no pleasure from me from a wounded groundhog getting in their hole and they are not weak so I want some DRT power.

Well said, and an often overlooked point.

PD's are easy to kill - they are so fragile that most any hit with anything will drop them.

On the other hand, woodchucks (and rockchucks), are, pound for pound, the toughest animals to kill, bar none.

I (and many other 'chuck shooters) have seen a 'chuck with heavy lower hind quarters damage - nearly cut in half, and crawl 30 yards back to it's hole.

It takes a fast, fragile bullet in the upper torso, to drop them fast DRT. My preferred shot is the chuck standing up, facing me, and hitting it in the upper body (solar plexus).

 

[XBBR Shooter]

Back to the original question my vote defiantly gets the Zmax's, here are some 58gr loaded in some 6mm Mach IV, which is a 7 Rem Mag necked down to 6mm and then fire formed. There is nothing like loading 80+ gr of powder and then topping it off with a bullet of significant lesser weight. 105gr and 107gr are also entertaining in this chambering.



Dean

I'll bet the barrel makers have you on their Christmas card list

P.S... the Z-Max was discontinued about 2 years ago... but it is exactly the same bullet as the V-Max, just a different colour dye in the plastic.

 

[scope eye]

I use to buy them in 500ct boxes and I am down to my last few 100's, I still see them in mom & pop shops occasionally.
Thank God for Barrel Setbacks.LOL

Dean

 

[SS427]

Hornady suspended certain Z-max bullet weights, but some of them are still available. Cabelas and Powder Valley has them in stock right now, and some that are not in stock at Cabelas are back orderable.

 

[scope eye]

Good to know thanks.

Dean

 

[scope eye]

I also like them in 22 cal because they work great in anything, from a 223ai through a 22-06ai and everything in between.



Dean

 

[XBBR Shooter]

@scope eye - make it 40* just to make him even more mad What velocities are you getting with that and accuracy. I love a big hitter for groundhogs, I wished they'd make more long range varmint bullets with a polymer tip and a BC above .4, I can't ever get the 87's to shoot.

I'm still on the hunt for the perfect groundhog bullet but which one is still up in the air. I always go back to Ballistic tips and vmax's in all the popular calibers, the 87's would have to get the nod for destruction but they always leave me wanting more in accuracy.

I built my current 6mm (244 Rem) w/10"T, for the 87 V-Max, but accuracy was only so-so... so I went to where I should have gone in the firstest place - the 70 SBK and the 75 V-Max. Both are outstanding.

 

[XBBR Shooter]

Hornady SX is the most explosive 22 bullet I've used but those pills probably won't survive at 22-250 velocity.

When shooting prairie dogs with a 22-250 I found V-Max bullets to be noticably more explosive than Noslers. Never could shoot a "double" with the Hornadys.

Mine didn't... My 222 Remington Magnum blew up 55 SX's at ~3,500 fps. They have VERY thin jackets.

 

[snert]

I think the OP needs to give some more info (he hasn't responded since he posted) but what varmints and max range would be nice. I know many bullets suggested for prairie dogs I wouldn't even consider for groundhogs where I hunt and I'm sure that prairie dog hunters think groundhog bullets are too much for the smaller varmints.

Many seem to clump the two together but from what I've read (I've never hunted prairie dogs) I do not like a groundhog to craw away and they seem much tougher than a P-dog and I want the groundhogs to be dead right there, there's no pleasure from me from a wounded groundhog getting in their hole and they are not weak so I want some DRT power.

Yep, you are right. A PD is a water balloon. A GH is a bear in rodent disguise. It takes velocity and a seriously frangible round to dump them "right there". Ask me how I know after my night with the K-Hornet at ranges it should not be used on chucks! One after another took solid hits, flopped into the grass, only to wiggle away into a hole while I high fived my spotter. We discovered that later when we found trail after trail. Next time it will be 222 or better!

 

[nvbroncrider]

Yep, you are right. A PD is a water balloon. A GH is a bear in rodent disguise. It takes velocity and a seriously frangible round to dump them "right there". Ask me how I know after my night with the K-Hornet at ranges it should not be used on chucks! One after another took solid hits, flopped into the grass, only to wiggle away into a hole while I high fived my spotter. We discovered that later when we found trail after trail. Next time it will be 222 or better!

Never been around a GH the way you make them sound is almost like a badger but smaller less fierce and missing the bad attitude. I'm only popping water balloons for the most part. Interesting how you have described them.

Guys I really do appreciate the input you have given me. I think I may try a box of a couple bullets and see how they treat me.

 

[Gary in MD]

Groundhogs are tough, but any good varmint bullet should work. I have killed them with all of the plastic tipped bullets over the years and they work great but don't do any more damage at the target than the good old soft points from Sierra and Hornady. The plastic tipped bullets with boat tails hold up just a little better at long range. I killed a few with the Sierra 55 grain spbt this past weekend, shot out of my Swift at about 3870 fps. They are cheaper and will still "Bust em" !!

Gary

 

[snert]

View attachment 983563
Groundhogs are tough, but any good varmint bullet should work. I have killed them with all of the plastic tipped bullets over the years and they work great but don't do any more damage at the target than the good old soft points from Sierra and Hornady. The plastic tipped bullets with boat tails hold up just a little better at long range. I killed a few with the Sierra 55 grain spbt this past weekend, shot out of my Swift at about 3870 fps. They are cheaper and will still "Bust em" !!

Gary

perfect example of frangible and velocity right there!!! Nice hog-pile!!

 

[Dan Hall]

Speer TNT...... I've done a lot of testing on the subject and with all things being equal there is no comparison. BIG hollow point with a very thin jacket. Try them. You WILL like the results.

 

[sstkmkrr]

Gary, how long is that barrel! Looks like 32" from here.

Steve Murphy

 

[Hntndad]

The Berger MEF is mentioned, I could not find it on the Berger website. Does it go by another name?

Mark

They are now called Berger "varmint". Formerly MEF