Has anyone had any experience in deer hunting with the Nosler 55 grain Ballistic Tip,the Sierra 55 HP or the Hornady 68 grain BTHP.Please list any other bullets in .224 which have been used. I realize such questions bring on the "no less that 243" comments. Your help is ask only for .224 especially in 223 caliber. Thanks, Byron
any experience w/ these 224 bullets
- Thread starter Byron
- Start date
- Status
Zak Smith
Member
For deer and 223, you generally want one of the > 60gr controlled expansion bullets, like the 64gr PowerPoint.
griz
Member
The hollow points are match bullets and so not designed for game at all. The Ballistic tip is a varmint bullet and would open up too fast for good penetration.
Go with Zak's advice. Something like the Nosler partition, Barnes X, or Trophy Bonded bullets would be your best bet. Somebody, maybe Winchester, makes a 64 grain SP that might be adequate. And Swift is supposed to be coming out with a Scirroco (SP?) that may be worthwhile.
Go with Zak's advice. Something like the Nosler partition, Barnes X, or Trophy Bonded bullets would be your best bet. Somebody, maybe Winchester, makes a 64 grain SP that might be adequate. And Swift is supposed to be coming out with a Scirroco (SP?) that may be worthwhile.
Art Eatman
Moderator In Memoriam
One thing to remember about moving up to the 65/70 grains weight bullets is that twist becomes a factor insofar as bullet stability and accuracy.
However, a two-MOA group is plenty good within the essentially 100-yard limitation for centerfire .22s on deer.
Art
However, a two-MOA group is plenty good within the essentially 100-yard limitation for centerfire .22s on deer.
Art
Thanks for responding. I normally use a 30-30 or 243 but when living in GA,the 223 was used quite well.Many loaded their own in 223 with the most poplar being the 64 WW,Speer 70 semi point and Hornady 60 gr SP.I lived deep in the N GA mountains and the gun store I went to sold a lot of Federal 69 grain match. Old wounds from Vietnam are causing me to have to consider the 223. Thanks, Byron
rbernie
Contributing Member
Interestingly, these are the three that I generally load. I have also heard good things about the Sierra 65gr Gameking. I have a box of Barnes 53gr TSX's, but I've not had the temerity to use 'em on game yet.
All of these work acceptably well (five shot groups of 1.5" or better @ 100 yards) in my Vanguard with a 1:12 twist. Of the non-varmint bullets, the Sierra 65 GameKings seem to be the most accurate in this rifle.
45crittergitter
Member
Don't forget the 75 gr. Swift Scirocco and the 70 gr. Barnes TSX.
GooseGestapo
Member
- Joined
- Jan 6, 2003
- Messages
- 6,150
I've killed a lot of deer with the .22center fires. Not by original intent, as my early experiences with it were poor. However, by seeing the results of the people I had contact with on the job, I retried my efforts, and now prefer it to all other cartridges.
First, Forget the plastic point, or Hollow points, except maybe for those at or above 60gr. Then, only use those intended for game. The match bullets will likely not expand a longer distances, and may fragment at closer ranges and fail to penetrate adequately.
I've had outstanding success with the Sierra 40gr HP in the .22Hornet, but that is another story for another day. (It's designed for 4,000+fps from large C.F.'s, so performs quite well in the little Hornet). I must also digress to state that the sole deer shot with a 35gr V-max from the Hornet died in its tracks from a heart shot, but that too is a different matter.
I prefer the 65gr Sierra BTSP, the Hornady 60gr SP (probably the best of all I've tried- exceptionally accurate in ALL .223's I've used it in), and I've tried most all of the 55gr. you can imagine, Including the Nosler 55gr BT. I would just use the Bulk Remington, Winchester,or Hornady 55gr Soft Point, and be content, if using the .223.
For larger cased rounds, I would use only those 60gr or heavier. Keep in mind that the 1-14 twist barrels of some .22-250's and .220 Swifts may not stabilize the 65gr or heavier bullets, except for the Speer 70gr. I would recommend the 63gr Sierra Semi-Point over the Speer however. It has worked very well! Second choice would be the 60gr Hornady. It is probably the Best of all considerations for the .223. However, I now prefer the Sierra 65gr BTSP because of its down-range ballistics. My Rem m7 w/18.5" bbl shoots the Sierra VERY well, and gets essentially 3,000fps m.v. and bullet is fully stabilized in its 1-12twist bbl.
The 70gr Speer is not my favorite, but might be better where the deer run larger than 200lbs, but at distances greater than 200yds the Sierra 65gr BTSP will beat it hands down.
I got aceptable performance from the single deer I shot with the Hornady 60gr V-max, but I won't revisit it as it is; 1. More expensive than any other of the choices; 2. Is so long it takes up a LOT of case space, and the powder reduction hurts more than the plastic tip helps. 3. Was not as accurate as any of the other 60-65gr bullets I've used.
Conclusion: Use any Soft Point 55gr or Heavier unless you are using one of the Ultra velocity rifles (.22-250, .220 Swift, or .223 WSSM). With these, you'll need 60gr or heavier. Avoid the hollow points, they aren't better nor are they needed.
I haven't used any .22cf larger than the .223, so my experiences are slanted towards it.
I haven't used any of the Bear Claws, Partitions, or Solids such as the Barne's, as their expense defeats the purpose of using a .22cf. If I'm going to pay $0.40 or more for a bullet, I'm going to use something bigger, to shoot something bigger, than a mere Whitetail deer!
First, Forget the plastic point, or Hollow points, except maybe for those at or above 60gr. Then, only use those intended for game. The match bullets will likely not expand a longer distances, and may fragment at closer ranges and fail to penetrate adequately.
I've had outstanding success with the Sierra 40gr HP in the .22Hornet, but that is another story for another day. (It's designed for 4,000+fps from large C.F.'s, so performs quite well in the little Hornet). I must also digress to state that the sole deer shot with a 35gr V-max from the Hornet died in its tracks from a heart shot, but that too is a different matter.
I prefer the 65gr Sierra BTSP, the Hornady 60gr SP (probably the best of all I've tried- exceptionally accurate in ALL .223's I've used it in), and I've tried most all of the 55gr. you can imagine, Including the Nosler 55gr BT. I would just use the Bulk Remington, Winchester,or Hornady 55gr Soft Point, and be content, if using the .223.
For larger cased rounds, I would use only those 60gr or heavier. Keep in mind that the 1-14 twist barrels of some .22-250's and .220 Swifts may not stabilize the 65gr or heavier bullets, except for the Speer 70gr. I would recommend the 63gr Sierra Semi-Point over the Speer however. It has worked very well! Second choice would be the 60gr Hornady. It is probably the Best of all considerations for the .223. However, I now prefer the Sierra 65gr BTSP because of its down-range ballistics. My Rem m7 w/18.5" bbl shoots the Sierra VERY well, and gets essentially 3,000fps m.v. and bullet is fully stabilized in its 1-12twist bbl.
The 70gr Speer is not my favorite, but might be better where the deer run larger than 200lbs, but at distances greater than 200yds the Sierra 65gr BTSP will beat it hands down.
I got aceptable performance from the single deer I shot with the Hornady 60gr V-max, but I won't revisit it as it is; 1. More expensive than any other of the choices; 2. Is so long it takes up a LOT of case space, and the powder reduction hurts more than the plastic tip helps. 3. Was not as accurate as any of the other 60-65gr bullets I've used.
Conclusion: Use any Soft Point 55gr or Heavier unless you are using one of the Ultra velocity rifles (.22-250, .220 Swift, or .223 WSSM). With these, you'll need 60gr or heavier. Avoid the hollow points, they aren't better nor are they needed.
I haven't used any .22cf larger than the .223, so my experiences are slanted towards it.
I haven't used any of the Bear Claws, Partitions, or Solids such as the Barne's, as their expense defeats the purpose of using a .22cf. If I'm going to pay $0.40 or more for a bullet, I'm going to use something bigger, to shoot something bigger, than a mere Whitetail deer!
the 224 are very picky about barrel twist, find the barrel twist of your rifle, and go from there.... you want a slow expander, for penetration....not a blow up round... you can reduce vps, and still do a good job.... to me, the round sound light, in the 50-80gr. class... I would be looking 95gr-105 gr...for deer size game...unless your deer are small....but by reading the posts, sounds like the smaller rounds work. In the west, you use 95gr for varmits.
rbernie
Contributing Member
I've never seen a 95gr .224 bullet - who makes 'em?
deciple-of-keith
Member
Call me a stick in the mud but I cant see the sense of using any heavier than 55-60gn pills in the 223 my personal favorate would have to be speer in the 52gn hollow point .It hits like a sledge hammer on Roos at 200 yrds. & I dont get many complaints on goats either .As for Deer I think realisticly .A .243+ is the way to go I prefer a .25 cal but that is a personal choice as .it is a documented fact a lot of NZ deer cullers in the meat shooting days only used.222 from Hog to Sambar.Remembering this was their stock & trade & they were firing a lot of rounds .& Like me did not get excited about seeing game ! I have taken Blokes out that get excited about seeing the first Roo for the night & can not get a quick shot off & garenty a head shot .Whereas it's another day in the office for me > As the Old saying goes Bullet placement is what matters ! But use enough Gun
Art Eatman
Moderator In Memoriam
I gotta admit to a general dislike of using anything smaller than a .243 for deer hunting. My concern is, like deciple-of-keith, shot placement. I guess it's a case of playing the odds: Yeah, a bad hit from a .30-'06 will let a deer get away and die unfound, but the odds are a lot less than if some "pipsqueak" had been used.
My first ever deer was killed with a .222, but she was a very patient and suicidal volunteer. She just stood there looking at me from some 20 yards away, and I centered the white spot. DRT.
Later years, I got into walking-hunting in open country, and no way would I use what I consider marginal cartridges.
I guess I'd put it that you only take the shot if you're absolutely certain of your hit...
FWIW,
Art
My first ever deer was killed with a .222, but she was a very patient and suicidal volunteer. She just stood there looking at me from some 20 yards away, and I centered the white spot. DRT.
Later years, I got into walking-hunting in open country, and no way would I use what I consider marginal cartridges.
I guess I'd put it that you only take the shot if you're absolutely certain of your hit...
FWIW,
Art
GooseGestapo
Member
- Joined
- Jan 6, 2003
- Messages
- 6,150
d-o-k;
You make a valid observation regarding the 52gr H.P., and I'll concede that at 200yds, it probably had lost enough velocity and if fired from a 1-12" or slower twist barrel, would perform sufficiently.
However, many of the .223's hitting the market in the U.S. are carrying 1-9" or even faster twist barrels. This combined with the high likelyhood of shots being at closer than 220yds range, bullet blow-up is much more likely.
My first experience with the .22cf's on deer was poor as a result of this.
I had a just purchased Ruger mini-14, and the only expanding bullet ammo the dealer had and had expended a few rounds sighting in the rifle. Ruger mini-14 of the early '80's carried a 1-10" twist. The ammo was the Remington 50gr PSP-H.P., a plated varmint bullet known to give outstanding accuracy and performance on "varmints".
I shot an approx 125lb Whitetail deer 5 times at a range of approx. 110yds. None of the shoulder/ribcage shots penetrated more than 5". I had to get permission of the adjacent landowner to pursue the deer which had run onto his property. Approx. and hour later, I dispatched the deer with a single shot from my 4"bbl M-65 I was issued by my employer at that time. (Used Rem. 158gr JSP .357mag ammo). I would not recommend or use a .22cf for deer for several years after that, until I had an occasion to work a depredation "culling" detail with a co-worker. He used a departmental issued Rem. m-722 in .222, and Winchester 50gr Pt.SP ammo.
Wow! was my observation after he dropped 22 of 22 deer we shot that night, at ranges from 27feet to 275yds. The prisoners at the local penitentary ate well for the next month !!!!
Bullet construction and placement is critical with ALL bore diameters. I've lost deer well hit with .30/06, .30/30, and .35Rem with bullets that didn't perform properly. Some were personally cast bullets, some were commercially obtained soft points.
"Close", only counts with Horseshoes and Handgrenades!
And the handgrenade still has to go "BANG" to work!
Yes, my .257Roberts makes a heavier "whop" on the deer I've shot with it. But I can't say the extra power is really necessary on the smaller deer we have in my "neck of the woods". A 250lb Alberta, Canada whitetail might take a wee bit more gun to take down reliably. Friends report that a .270 works just as well on them as it does on ours, however.
You make a valid observation regarding the 52gr H.P., and I'll concede that at 200yds, it probably had lost enough velocity and if fired from a 1-12" or slower twist barrel, would perform sufficiently.
However, many of the .223's hitting the market in the U.S. are carrying 1-9" or even faster twist barrels. This combined with the high likelyhood of shots being at closer than 220yds range, bullet blow-up is much more likely.
My first experience with the .22cf's on deer was poor as a result of this.
I had a just purchased Ruger mini-14, and the only expanding bullet ammo the dealer had and had expended a few rounds sighting in the rifle. Ruger mini-14 of the early '80's carried a 1-10" twist. The ammo was the Remington 50gr PSP-H.P., a plated varmint bullet known to give outstanding accuracy and performance on "varmints".
I shot an approx 125lb Whitetail deer 5 times at a range of approx. 110yds. None of the shoulder/ribcage shots penetrated more than 5". I had to get permission of the adjacent landowner to pursue the deer which had run onto his property. Approx. and hour later, I dispatched the deer with a single shot from my 4"bbl M-65 I was issued by my employer at that time. (Used Rem. 158gr JSP .357mag ammo). I would not recommend or use a .22cf for deer for several years after that, until I had an occasion to work a depredation "culling" detail with a co-worker. He used a departmental issued Rem. m-722 in .222, and Winchester 50gr Pt.SP ammo.
Wow! was my observation after he dropped 22 of 22 deer we shot that night, at ranges from 27feet to 275yds. The prisoners at the local penitentary ate well for the next month !!!!
Bullet construction and placement is critical with ALL bore diameters. I've lost deer well hit with .30/06, .30/30, and .35Rem with bullets that didn't perform properly. Some were personally cast bullets, some were commercially obtained soft points.
"Close", only counts with Horseshoes and Handgrenades!
And the handgrenade still has to go "BANG" to work!
Yes, my .257Roberts makes a heavier "whop" on the deer I've shot with it. But I can't say the extra power is really necessary on the smaller deer we have in my "neck of the woods". A 250lb Alberta, Canada whitetail might take a wee bit more gun to take down reliably. Friends report that a .270 works just as well on them as it does on ours, however.
Michael Courtney
Member
Hornady 55 grain SP
I've shot a few deer with the Hornady 55 grain SP from a .223, and I've never had a problem. This wouldn't be my first choice for hunting big bucks, but it is a good choice for doe hunting and culling operations that target deer under 150 lbs.
Michael Courtney
I've shot a few deer with the Hornady 55 grain SP from a .223, and I've never had a problem. This wouldn't be my first choice for hunting big bucks, but it is a good choice for doe hunting and culling operations that target deer under 150 lbs.
Michael Courtney
Michael Courtney
Member
My experience was aiming for the center of the chest.
Michael
Michael
- Status
Similar threads
