Speer TNT bullets

[long40shot]

It looks like the 52s I've been talking about aren't TNTs. My bad. I still like them though.

 

[Mike in Oregon]

It looks like the 52s I've been talking about aren't TNTs. My bad. I still like them though.

I didn't want to say anything.

So, which one does a better job on critters?

 

[ELR LVR]

I've had success with TNTs but a 22-250 might drive 'em too fast as they have a rep for being soft. YMMV.

They go fine in a 22 BR (22-250 Equiv) - but my BR's are 13 and 14 twist
50gr TNT's are my go to bullet to begin load testing before testing other bullets
they think they're a benchrest bullet for some reason

 

[long40shot]

I didn't want to say anything.

So, which one does a better job on critters?

The 52grn flat base varmints are the only ones I've ran. Whenever I get around to trying some of the 39grn 204 bullets, I'll report back.

Matt

 

[Rickhem]

I've been shooting the Speer TNTs for a long time, in a variety of calibers.
For my 1980s vintage Rem 700V, with a 12 twist heavy barrel, this bullet shoots knots, all holes overlapping. I actually stopped saving the targets, they're that consistent for me. I've used it for 100 yard reduced Service Rifle matches in both 1-7 and 1-8 barrels, with great results every time. My Service Rifle load was 25.0 Varget, and the Rem 700V likes 26.1 of Varget.

The 125 TNT was great for 200 yard Garand matches, and shot sub MOA from my Rem 700 hunting rifle. The 70 grain 6mm bullet worked in a .243 (10 twist) that I had, as well as in an 8 twist 6mmBR, and a 7.5 twist Howa Mini in 6mmARC. My 6.8SPC II shoots the 90 grain TNT into sub MOA groups with monotonous regularity.

Overall, this is a fantastic line of projectiles, and while I've never shot anything but paper and steel with them, they perform well beyond the price point.

 

[JohnD]

Since we're on the subject of TNT's, what seating depth do they like? In close or backed off somewhat. Now I know every rifle is different but I'm not quite getting the accuracy I like or what I see in some of these pics. Shooting 39 gr. in .20 Prac. and 50 gr. in .222 and .223.

Thanks, John.

 

[ricco1949]

39's and 50's both into the lands .005-.010 in 20 VT and 222.

 

[ELR LVR]

Since we're on the subject of TNT's, what seating depth do they like? In close or backed off somewhat. Now I know every rifle is different but I'm not quite getting the accuracy I like or what I see in some of these pics. Shooting 39 gr. in .20 Prac. and 50 gr. in .222 and .223.

Thanks, John.

.005" to .030" off the lands has been a pretty good norm for those bullets
depending on your rifle
if youre not getting the accuracy you like, it could simply be the powder
Typical .222 / 50 tnt load

 

[L.Sherm]

Since we're on the subject of TNT's, what seating depth do they like? In close or backed off somewhat. Now I know every rifle is different but I'm not quite getting the accuracy I like or what I see in some of these pics. Shooting 39 gr. in .20 Prac. and 50 gr. in .222 and .223.

Thanks, John.

Every single rifle and bullet i try starts at +.010 past touch then works backwards. 003 at a time. Its never failed me so far.

 

[358WCF]

You wont know if your rifle likes them unless you try some.

Not a 22, but my finicky 25-06 loves the 87gr TNTs creeping up on 3700fps.

Tried the smaller caliber ones years back & Sierra or Hornady always shot smaller. I've used the 50gr Sierra Medium Velocity Blitz #1340 & Horny's 50SX #2240 in all of my 14 twist 22-250s & Swifts at near full tilt... 3800 to near 4000 fps. The 22-250 Ackley saw c. 4200 once or twice. All were absolutely devastating on fat old PA groundhogs to over 400 yds. They all hit the target without 'sploding in mid air too. Maybe I'm just lucky?

 

[Rickhem]

My loads for the 50 grain .223 bullet use a service rifle magazine length OAL. For me, that ends up being somewhere in the 2.250" to 2.255" area. This OAL is also what shoots so well in the 700V for me too. Powder charge varies, but the seating die is at the same setting. I also stick with mag length for the 90 grain in the 6.8 loading. I figured that the TNT isn't a bullet that I'll single load, so mag length for those loads is it.

Loading the 125 TNT for my dad's 30-06, and in my Garand and my .308, sees the bullet loaded to what is listed in the manuals. It's a big jump for those loads, but that bullet doesn't seem to mind.

I have played around with seating depth on the 6mmBR, and the 6mmARC, and generally load those 70 grain TNTs to jump .005" to .010", but that is a completely different measurement than OAL, and you measure from the ogive. Again, it didn't really seem to make much difference at 100 yards, but I really haven't invested a lot of effort on that kind of thing with the TNTs.

 

[bullseyeshtr]

I've shot the 39 tnt out of my 20tac. Tiny groups and hammers coyotes hard. Have yet to have one exit on yote. Shot them as slow as 3800 old load new load is 3950 and same accuracy.

 

[Jrjones]

I shot a handful of winter coyotes one year w that 52gr hp in a 222. Worked really good on em. Real good. Got one January yote tanned! One hole in. No hole out. Sure do look funny w that big hole In the end of em. I bought a thousand pack after that winter.

 

[Hipshoot]

I believe that Speer only makes the TNT bullet in .22 cal. in 50 & 55 gr. weights.

 

[ricco1949]

AnI believe that Speer only makes the TNT bullet in .22 cal. in 50 & 55 gr. weights...

And a bevy of other calibers and weights.

 

[snert]

I shoot them in a 222 for PD and groundhogs. Great bullet in a 14 twist. Inexpensive...I bought 1000 for under $100 a few years ago...of course higher now but still affordable. I really like these bullets for varmints. We also like the old Sierra 50/55 grain psp. They wake up the old slower twist rifles.
And they perform on small game/varmints.

 

[sofarfrome]

It's been a long time but I shot them out of a customized 722, 222, outstanding accuracy and terminal performance. I also shot them from a custom 22BR. They ran about 3700fps out of that rifle. Devastating on woodchucks. Never had a problem with bullets not reaching the target, and on point.

 

[Ackman]

They're also very good in 6mm. Speer says 3400fps max with the 70TNT. Really? I fireformed about 1000 243AI cases with 70TNT's going 3700. The bullets worked fine, but the pd's and 'chucks didn't like them very much. Barrel 13" twist.

 

[SecretCode]

125's in 300 blk took down a sprinting whitetail doe out of cover at the hand of my wife last year. They work well at slower blackout velocities.

I also bought 39 gr in the .20 cal flavor for my .204. Tried 8208 and some other powders at first really never getting below .8" groups. Then some Benchmark was paired up and the starts aligned.

My group came in second to the The Great Bill K in 204ruger.com's rat shoot.