What's the use of 220 grain polymer coated bullets?

[billj888]

I loaded and fired 4 of these heavy bullets in .30-06 and none even hit the cardboard backing of my target at a gun range. My first 2 shots were bullseyes with 110 gr bullets. And this was at 50 yards, not the usual 100 yards at which I shoot the 06. No idea where the bullets went.

 

[ms6852]

Without knowing much of what you loaded , there is not much comparison between a 110 gr bullet shot at 50 traveling over 3000 fps and a 220 grain bullet traveling around 2400fps shot at 100 yards. I don't know if you have a scope and all is guessing, but at 100 yards if you have a scope it seems that you have not zeroed that scope for that distance.

 

[N555]

Probably a huge point of aim shift going from 110gr to 220gr.
What's the use? They're cheap!
But I think they're normally used in 300blackout.

 

[Havok7416]

220 grain bullets are a staple projectile for subsonic Blackout. While the .30-06 will certainly handle a 220gr, I can't say I've ever seen much data for it.

 

[stoney1666]

shot some out of my x39 AR for fun and they were 8-9" low at 100, 10.3 gr of 1680, would not cycle.

 

[.38 Special]

A 220 softnose is a tremendous bullet in the '06, with nearly unbelievable terminal effect. They are out of fashion these days because they are not good for imaginary 800 yard shots.

A cast 220 is good for practice, for the handful of hunters who both use a 220 SP, and who actually practice.

They don't, however, hit anywhere near the same place as 110s.

It is certainly possible that a particular gun won't shoot them well, but the shooter wouldn't know until he actually got them on paper - and sighting-in at 25 yards is a fine way to avoid wasting powder and bullets.

 

[ms6852]

Good for bear about as light as I would like to go, and great for moose too.

 

[jmorris]

You could turn money into noise with them.

If you buy a 300 blk, you could make even less noise with them...probably what they were intended for.

If they are not gas checked, you are probably pushing them too hard in a 30-06.

Whats your load data?

 

[chevrofreak]

300BLK subsonic. They are far less expensive than jacketed bullets.

 

[chevrofreak]

shot some out of my x39 AR for fun and they were 8-9" low at 100, 10.3 gr of 1680, would not cycle.

Try 12.5gr. That's what will cycle my AK with a suppressor.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

What’s the question?

220gr .309/.308” are popular for 30 caliber silhouette in T/C Contenders, close range “Brush Busting” with pump action carbines like the Remington 760, and single shot rifles. Long or short action doesn’t really matter much in the pump action but I don’t recall anything over a 200gr working in the self loading carbines.

Anyway they’re good for a lot of things but maybe not bullseye targets.

 

[EricBu]

I loaded and fired 4 of these heavy bullets in .30-06 and none even hit the cardboard backing of my target at a gun range. My first 2 shots were bullseyes with 110 gr bullets. And this was at 50 yards, not the usual 100 yards at which I shoot the 06. No idea where the bullets went.

Well, the 220 coated bullets are predominantly used in 300 BLK. While 220s will certainly work in an 06, it isn't that common, and your gun might not even like them much for whatever reason (twist for example). You're chasing waterfalls comparing these two, 110 is at the one extreme end for light, and the other is at the extreme end for heavy. I cannot think of many scenarios where you will get both on the paper without making sight/scope adjustments. Most common 06 bullets are in the 150ish to 175ish range, and that's where the bulk of the easily found load data will be based around.

 

[joelp34252]

I also tried 220 gr cast bullets with a gas check in my 06. Also failed to hit a 50 yd target. I loaded them with jacketed bullet loads, and they could not handle the pressure. Take a look down your barrel and see if it looks like solder in there. I don't think those bullets are made for 30-06 velocities.

 

[billj888]

I also tried 220 gr cast bullets with a gas check in my 06. Also failed to hit a 50 yd target. I loaded them with jacketed bullet loads, and they could not handle the pressure. Take a look down your barrel and see if it looks like solder in there. I don't think those bullets are made for 30-06 velocities.

I think that sums it up Joe. The polymer coated bullets act much like cast bullets and the velocity was just too high even though the rounds were loaded on the light side. In an '06 they were still likely doing over 2000 fps. The box they're sold in at Sportsman's Warehouse gives no information at all so I turned to the internet.

 

[Varminterror]

While the .30-06 will certainly handle a 220gr, I can't say I've ever seen much data for it.

Hodgdon, Lyman, Hornady, Nosler, Berger, Lee, and Sierra (at least) all have load data for 220 grain 30-06 in their respective load books.