.224 Bullet Comparison

I thought it would be interesting to do a visual comparison of the .224 bullets I have sitting on my shelf. They range from 45gr to 75gr, and include varmint and medium game hunting bullets.

From left to right:

• 45gr Barnes TXS #22441
• 50gr Nosler Ballistic Tip Varmint #39522
• 55gr Sierra GameKing #1365
• 55gr Nosler Ballistic Silvertip #51031
• 55gr Berger FB Varmint #22311
• 55gr Dogtown (Midway) FBHP #48122
• 60gr Nosler Partition #16316
• 62gr Swift Scirocco II #???
• 64gr Nosler Bonded Performance #38135
• 75gr Swift Scirocco II #???

NWcityguy2 said:

Thanks. The 55gr Gameking, is that meant for varmints or small deer?

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I haven't had a chance to do any calling yet, but I was planning on using either the GameKings or the 45gr TSX's on predators (fox, lynx, coyote, wolf) out of my .222. I am hoping they won't damage the hides too bad. I also think (given proper shot placement) they would probably work on the small Sitka Blacktail deer we have up here, but I have a pretty good selection of better choices for that duty in my stash.


EDIT: Just a note - I wanted a predator "thumper", so I tried to get the 60gr Partitions to shoot from the .222, but they just won't stabilize from the 1:14 twist barrel. So I picked up the GK's as a possible substitute.

bdgackle said:

Funny, though, that pile of boxes is suspiciously similar to an empty spot on the shelf at Cabela's.
...
I just assumed that the industry ... quit making them. Was I wrong?

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Well, it's not like I ran down to the LGS and bought these all yesterday. (Although I did pass on 55gr soft point Dogtowns, 60gr Hornady V-Max, and 55gr BlitzKings all within the last week... ) I guess ya just gotta turn over a few rocks every once in a while to build up an assortment like this.

Like the big rock I turned over this morning... Picked up 8# of TAC and 8# of A2230, along with a box each of small pistol, small rifle, and large pistol primers, all at normal retail prices. Right place, right time, with enough available cash to close the deal...

Patience is a virtue.

Both, I guess? I have three rifles that use .224 bullets (Savage .222, Mini-14, and Remington R-15), and I've worked up some loads in each rifle with certain uses in mind. But mostly I've been systematically wasting them through a Mini-14 that refuses to play nice.