Most fragile varmint for .223

[lhsako]

Loaded to the same velocity, which bullets have you tested with the milk jug test? Of those which expanded the most, slipped the core and essentially went to fragments?

 

[Mark M.]

Barnes varmint grenades, but just ok accuracy

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Does Hornady still make those Super Explosive soft points?

 

[CJ6]

Ya just have to watch how fast you push them.

 

[JSH]

SXSP, maybe a different name now. Crowd them too hard and they don’t make it very far.

 

[Uncle Bruce]

Ya just have to watch how fast you push them.

They are fantastic in the 222 ..224 sx. For super explosive.

 

[AckleymanII]

The Sierra Blitz kings are more explosive than the Nosler ballistic tips and Hornady V max in all weights I have tested. 22 cal in 40g,50g,and 55g. 6mm in 55g and 70g. The sierra line uses a "match" grade of jacket controlled for concentricity, worth the extra money.

I prefer the Nosler ballistic tips for coyotes for the penetration and solid base that they have.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

The Speer TNT is a quick to expand,fragment bullet.

 

[nockhunter]

I have shot woodchucks in upstate NY with the Hornady 50g sx, and 50g Speer TNT in my .222 rem. The SX were more explosive but the TNT's were more accurate in my rifle. Both are pretty explosive. At .223 velocities should be more destructive. What are you trying to accomplish? I have never shot them through water filled milk jugs.

Mike

 

[Gary in MD]

Most fragile at 223 velocities is going to be the old style Sierra Blitz (lead tipped) and the old Hornady SX.
Pushed too fast (22-250 speeds) and they will come apart 50 yards down range. I can remember seeing the “greyish haze” shooting them in the 1980s. But man, if they made it to a ground hog started at 3600+, they were like a bomb going off!

 

[V509]

Hornady SPSX bullets
Flat base bullets that almost always go into little groups

 

[K22]

While I have never conducted "milk jug tests", I have taken a lot of eastern ground hogs with the 223 Rem (bolt rifles).

The most effective bullets in my experience are the Nosler 50 and 55 BT's if you define effectiveness as accuracy and terminal performance. Second was the 55 Vmax and closely behind the old (lead tip) Sierra Blitz 50 grain. All in 12" twist rifles.

The least effective, at least for me, were the Speer TNT. They tended to ricochet and not penetrate. I accurately had one blow up on the shoulder of a rather large ground hog at about 200 yards. The ricochet issue may be due to the highly rocky soil in northern Berks County where I hunt.

 

[DiRTY DOG]

35gr Hornady NTX.

 

[urbanrifleman]

The most explosive that I have seen is the 62 eldvt.

 

[AckleymanII]

62 eldvt is the new kid on the block, after this p. dog season, we may get some reports.

I sold my bullet making dies years ago because of the Accuracy of the 70g Speer TNT in my 6 ppc, I quit shooting registered BR. We shot the TNT to 3850 out of 12t zero freebore 243 AI's with zero problems

 

[LVLAaron]

Anyone have experience with these? They're one of the best shooting bullets I've ever used.

 

[Stormbringer]

Anyone have experience with these? They're one of the best shooting bullets I've ever used.


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I've shot thousands of these out of a 223. Very accurate at 3700-3800 (depending on rifle and barrel length with Benchmark).

They perform admirably on Marmots and PDogs. Pretty good on Coyotes, fox, badgers, crows, etc.

Most frangible though are the Speer 52 Varmints. Hard to get but the Calhoon Double Hollow-Points are the all time best.

 

[LVLAaron]

I run them with benchmark, too. They’re crazy accurate in all of my ARs.

 

[Bill K]

Speer TNT 52 grn and Nosler 50 grn Lead Free, both explode on impact and entry into chest cavity of any varmint. And give a very accurate group, when you worked up a load for YOUR rifle.

 

[WV Hitman]

Aaron, All these rockchucks were taken this year with my .223 Contender handgun and Nos. 40 gr. BTs.
Looks pretty explosive to me (150-250 yds.) . Super accurate in my .223 & .22-250 XPR handgun. Effects in the .22-250 a little more impressive than the .223.
This is the only bullet I've used in the last 5 years in ID & WV (groundhogs). No need for anything heavier.