[shenck]

I just bought an Encore in .223, and would like to load it with non expanding bullets. All I can find is violently expanding varmint bullets. I would like a bullet that punches a 22 cal hole straight through. The reason for this is when I shoot one in the yard it makes a very nasty mess. The ones I shoot in the fields are ok to make a mess. I know someone is going to suggest that I use a 22lr, but I can take 200 yard shots and still be on my lawn.By the way this is the first 22 centerfire that I have loaded for, so I am new to the 22 cal bullet selection.

[edelbrock]

Try a FMJ. Or you can go for the SS-109 steel penetrators. I guarantee those won't expand on a groundhog.

[627PCFan]

You could use 60 grain Nosler Partions, but your with you choosing FMJ or Partions you need to watch ricochets.:what:

[jinxer3006]

Just a word of caution--the rapidly expanding varmint bullets will help prevent ricochets versus a FMJ or other slower expanding bullet. May or may not be a big concern in your situation, but it's something to consider...

[jinxer3006]

I guess JR and I were typing at the same time....

[627PCFan]

jinx:D

[jim147]

If you haven't noticed reloading choices are a little slim right now.
If you can use FMJ safely and legally in your state you might look for them. If you only have soft points or HP You might try slowing it down as much as you can and still keep decent groups. (.222 or Hornet speeds.)
Any mess in my yard in the 50 to 500 yard range is cleaned up by the dogs or the critters pretty quickly.

jim

[shenck]

thanks for the advice. I didn't think about ricochet.

[mgkdrgn]

I'd like to suggest 22 -Magnum-.

THAT will put a chuck down first time, every time, and give you a very satisfying "THWACK" audio confirmation of a hit in return.

(pssssttt.... and if you are interested, I've got a known "chuck killer" here that I'd be willing to part with. Mossberg 640KB Chuckster)

[upjeeper]

.17 hmr?

[rcmodel]

Shoot them in the head with the .223?

rc

[matrem]

One good rain and the "mess" is gone.
Why not use what you're comfortable with?

[Eb1]

Sierra MatchKings
Hornady Match HPBT
Surplus FMJ (not near as accurate as the other two)
Noslers?
Berger?

There are many choices.

[AirplaneDoc]

Anybody else notice the population of groundhogs is increasing dramatically in the lastt few years. I had never seen 1 10 years ago (not counting puxatawney phill) Last year I only got 20 already up to 4 this year. I use a 22lr and go for headshots makes less noise. Wish I could use .223 but neighbors would complain.

I would think a fmj would make less mess and slow them down as much as much as you can and still accomplish all the necessary things ie grouping, action etc.
.

[33rowdy]

I'm on my #10 groundhog. I've been on them for 2 months now when I get time. The next one on my list is at my grama's. They are digging a few holes under her shed. She lives in the village limits. I told the local cop that he is going down!

[rogn]

One of the rapid expansion bullets like a Hornady sx or other brand similar will result in an entrance wound, which is hard to find, but no exit wound. Chuck will feel like plastic bag full of wet sponge. Shot alot of them back in teenage years, and this approach leaves no mess and they just dont run. The "Chuck line" is still about 15 miles noth of me but htere getting closer every year.

[NCsmitty]

shenck, no offense, but you have a pussycat in the 223. You haven't seen messy until you whack'em with a large fast caliber using a varmint bullet, like a 270 Win. or 25-06.

There's two ways to approach this and the first is to use a very light bullet like a frangible 50gr, that will usually stay in the animal and make an instant kill.
If your barrel twist will handle it, a heavier jacketed bullet less prone to violent expansion such as the Winchester 64gr might be the ticket. I'm opposed to using FMJ bullets on game.
You'll probably get complete penetration with the heavier bullet, so care must be taken as to what lies beyond your target.

NCsmitty

[freakshow10mm]

A .22 will kill a groundhog at 200y no problem.

[ranger335v]

I sorta lost interest in blowing g'hogs up when I finally ate one. Great meat, very similar to high quality pork, now I know why they are called g'hogs!

I try to make head shots.

[tkcomer]

If you look around, you can find 223 loads loaded with pistol powders for very low velocity loads. A lot of people use these subsonic loads when they have mufflers on their guns. If you have a groundhog problem, you need to get some coyotes. They cleaned up the groundhogs around here years ago.

[editingfx]

When I was a kid we shot a few with a 44 Mag.... no hog left...

[Ratshooter]

One poster suggested 13grs of Blue Dot with a 40gr bullet for a 22 hornet duplication load. I haven't tried it yet. I plan to try it in my new NEF 223 that I haven't fired yet.