I realize that this is a match bullet used for long range target shooting. However, I was wondering if any has any experience with this round for small game or varmint hunting in .223 Rem. If so, how is the expansion and killing power? Thanks.
Hornady 75 gr BTHP .223 for Hunting
- Thread starter Craiger12
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rcmodel
Member in memoriam
It's not designed to expand at high velocity, so it probaly doesn't at long range low velocity.
The 75 grain A-Max is, and it has a higher BC number (.435) then the 75 grain match HP (.395).
I'd try that,
rc
The 75 grain A-Max is, and it has a higher BC number (.435) then the 75 grain match HP (.395).
I'd try that,
rc
Bartholomew Roberts
Member
It is not designed to expand; but it does yaw and fragment pretty dramatically if it has enough room and velocity to do so. However, that probably wouldn't be too much use in say groundhog sized animals. The bullet will exit before any of that happens. On larger animals, it can be effective as long as it has enough velocity (usually under 100yds-150yds depending on the barrel).
Some people around here use them for pigs; but from what I understand all the tiny fragments tend to make them unpopular for any type of hunting where the person may be interested in the meat.
Unfortunately, I don't reload at this point and the 75gr A-Max is not offered as a factory load. However, I do plan to start reloading. Is it true that the A-Max is designed to fragment? I thought it was just another match bullet designed for it's high ballistic properties.
Bartholomew Roberts
Member
I don't know about the A-Max. My comments about fragmentation were regarding the 75gr Open-tip Match round from Hornady. I don't believe it was desgined to fragment, it just turns out that it does pretty consistently as long as the velocity is good. I think that is just a side effect of the longer bullet, greater consistency in bullet construction and thin-jacket common to many match bullets.
redbullitt
Member
You mention varmint and small game; I feel like that bullet would do just fine for that. Larger animals? Not so much.
I will say that partitions have worked well on game up to deer size if you keep the range close.
I will say that partitions have worked well on game up to deer size if you keep the range close.
I really don't have a direct answer to your question, but there are loads used by the military for use in 5.56/.223 rifles intended to extend the range of accurate fire of the caliber. If I remember correctly, those bullets use a 77gr Sierra Match King bullet and their primary purpose is to kill things. I think the military designation was MK262 and apparently, they work.
As for their effectiveness on small game, what kind of game are you talking about? When I was a kid, I killed tons of rabbits, squirrels and other stuff using a solid .22 round. Whether it expanded or fragmented or not didn't seem to matter much to the game.
I would think that using a match bullet would allow you to make your shot placement more effective. I know that I'd rather get hit in the foot by an explosive tipped bullet than in the head with hard ball.
As for their effectiveness on small game, what kind of game are you talking about? When I was a kid, I killed tons of rabbits, squirrels and other stuff using a solid .22 round. Whether it expanded or fragmented or not didn't seem to matter much to the game.
I would think that using a match bullet would allow you to make your shot placement more effective. I know that I'd rather get hit in the foot by an explosive tipped bullet than in the head with hard ball.
Art Eatman
Moderator In Memoriam
Match bullets are generally regarded as not reliable in hunting. They may or may not expand as desired for a clean, ethical kill.
For critters of coyote size or smaller, you don't need anything more than a 55-grain bullet. They're plenty good to 300 yards on prairie dogs, I've found. Some folks go even farther out than that.
Jack th' rabbit and Ol' Wily don't like such bullets even one little bit.
For critters of coyote size or smaller, you don't need anything more than a 55-grain bullet. They're plenty good to 300 yards on prairie dogs, I've found. Some folks go even farther out than that.
Jack th' rabbit and Ol' Wily don't like such bullets even one little bit.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
The longest one-shot coyote kill I ever made with a 22-250 was with a 63 grain Sierra semi-pointed SP bullet.
517 yards to be exact.
That bullet has the same BC number as a ping-pong ball with a wad of chewing gum stuck on it.
And no, it didn't expand at all as near as I could tell.
Just going to slow to expand that far out.
rc
517 yards to be exact.
That bullet has the same BC number as a ping-pong ball with a wad of chewing gum stuck on it.
And no, it didn't expand at all as near as I could tell.
Just going to slow to expand that far out.
rc
35 Whelen
Member
Exactly. Why gamble on a bullet designed for target shooting when there are so many .224" hunting bullets out there? A few that come to mind are: Winchesters 64 gr. Power Point, the Barnes TSX in various weights and the 60 gr. Nosler Partition.
35W
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