.223 and .243 varmit bullet tests

bpost

I was given permission by a local farmer to shoot crows and other varmits on his farm. Has anyone done testing on the explosive varmit bullets in .223 and .243 cal? Do they travel far after a hit on a crow or groundhog? If you miss and they hit the grass or wheat stubble do they still come apart?

Any information is appreciated.

jimbowby

[8D]--I can't understand the reason for the question or the question of the statement--[:(][:(][:(][:D]

I'm only wearing Black untill they make something darker

kingjoey

Due to the lighter weight of the .223 bullet you'd probably have a better chance of disintegrating a round impacting a crow than you would with a .243. I'd be much more worried about downrange impact with the .243 on a varmint that small. For crows I'd probably use a .223 or a 17HMR

Love them Beavers

Hunter375

A .223 loaded with 40-gr. V-max is a very effective varmint cartridge out to 400 yards, and the bullets will come apart on the slightest impact (say, a 2 lb bunny). As for the crows, chances are you will be shooting them on fence posts or power lines, so I would suggest a shotgun for that. Firing a rifle at a bird is never a good idea, as even a .22 LR can go well over 1 mile. Bottleneck rifle cartridges can travel 3-5 miles if fired at ~ a 35 degree angle.

Save the seals-club a liberal instead.

plains scout

If you are worried about down range, the safe and smart thing is NOT to shoot with a CF cartride. And, as said above, even a 22lr can go a mile.

NEVER shot at a bird on a power line with a rife or even a shot gun.

If you can get those crows on the ground and a you have a back stop of a hill, fire away.

I can not help you with the question about the bullet coming apart. I generally try to keep the bullet together as I am shooting heavier and thicker target species.





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JustC

The plain and dirty answer is they will not harm the surroundings,..you use a true light game pill,...it WILL explode on small game down to crow size. I hit a junior bean mucher whistle pig a few weeks back that maybe went 1lb,..and at 100yds (generous) there was a head and 1/2 neck left. The v-max was dust after impact with game. As long as you aren't using heavy pills for larger game,.the bullet will blow up on impact with just about anything. The plastic tips are your best bet if you have any liabilities regarding lost shots onto another property.[;)]

why chase the game when the bullet can get em from here?....
Got Balistics?

TRAP55

I always used the SPSX bullets in my .223, they vaporize on impact, and so do the ground squirrels!


"Aim small, Miss small"

D.S.COLE

The lightweight ballistic tips or spx or Vmax type will disintegrate on impact with most anything ,in either caliber. stay away from the heavier bullets and you wont have a problem with richochets as long as there is something for the bullet to impact with.

Snellstrom

The .243 using 55 or 60 grain bullets will dis-integrate and not travel far ( in small frags) after passing through a crow, If it hits the ground it will also come apart very safely. I can't attest to the .223 but I know my 22/250 with a 50 gr bullet and going 3800 to 3900 fps will "blow up" if it hits grass and other fine obstacles. Best way is to test it yourself by placing cardboard targets (6 or 8 in a row 10 to 20 feet apart ) and shoot through them and see what just passing through cardboard does to fragment a bullet. You might be surprised at how little of the bullet continues on, especially if you use a rapidly expanding light bullet, if you change the recipe and go with a heavier bullet you will get ricochet and or loose bullets flying about.

buckmaster17

I load my .223 with 36 grain Barnes Varmit Grenades they came out not too long ago. They are outstanding, I'm getting velocities up to 3850/FPS and when that buillets hits the ground hog or smaller varmits it totally blows them apart. If you knwo someone that reloads get them to reload you some ammo with these Varmit grenades and give them a try and yes they do stop at the animal and don't proceed to travel threw them and keep going they hit them and thats it.

tsr1965

The 40 grain V-max/Ballistic Tip in the 223 will be fine, as will the 55 grainers in the 243. I love the dust silohuete when you hook one up with a ground hog. It blows him back about 5 feet, and his outline is still there for a second from the dust...way cool.

Remington1981

quote:Originally posted by TRAP55
I always used the SPSX bullets in my .223, they vaporize on impact, and so do the ground squirrels!


"Aim small, Miss small"



I have to agree with Trapp on this one. I have loaded hunderds of the hornady SPSX bullets for my Bushmaster. If you have any doubt just shoot one at a empty milk jug. This will anwser your question for you.