I've been shooting 75gr. Amax in my favorite gopher rig (223AI - 8 twist) but I haven't been all that impressed with the terminal performance on gophers. I just order 1000 69gr., SMK's but after reading Cummins4x4's thread on the SMK's failures in the field (http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=484884) I'm starting to reconsider these bullets. Anyone having good success (terminal performance) in the gopher field with 69gr - 80gr bullets.
69gr & heavier .224 bullets (terminal performance on gophers)
- Thread starter Cinch
- Start date
Why would you expect good terminal performance with a bullet made for accuracy, and with no regard for its expansion capabilities. Why not use a bullet made for rapid expansion on small targets, such as 45 or 50 grain blitz (or Hornady SX), or others?
I have used the Nosler 69 grain match bullet with great results. Seems to expand with a bit of control so it tends to drive a big hole through them instead of vaporizing them. I have noticed that they handle the wind considerably better than the light bullets that I used to use.
I thought it was supposed to be hot and dry.
Years ago I had a fast twist 22-250 barrel and shot heavy bullets out of it. It was really meant for longer range accuracy and worked well for that.
But no matter what bullet I used for groundhogs they never performed as well as a lighter varmit bullet (i.e. ~40grn-50grn Hornady V-max type thing) in a normal twist.
Great setup for hitting them at range...so-so terminal performance. It'd kill them dead...but it'd more drill a clean hole through them than deliver sudden shock impact trauma (or whatever the PC term is for "blow them up").
Since a lot of groundhog shots are in rocky fields or rock fences, etc...I want the round to vaporize as much as possible on contact with the ground if I miss or it passes through.
Watch the background if your round is going to zip right through...
But no matter what bullet I used for groundhogs they never performed as well as a lighter varmit bullet (i.e. ~40grn-50grn Hornady V-max type thing) in a normal twist.
Great setup for hitting them at range...so-so terminal performance. It'd kill them dead...but it'd more drill a clean hole through them than deliver sudden shock impact trauma (or whatever the PC term is for "blow them up").
Since a lot of groundhog shots are in rocky fields or rock fences, etc...I want the round to vaporize as much as possible on contact with the ground if I miss or it passes through.
Watch the background if your round is going to zip right through...
- Location
- Peace River, Alberta
The right bullet for the right application
Try using bullets made for shooting things like gophers.
Greg
Try using bullets made for shooting things like gophers.
Greg
- Location
- big sky country
Hornady 55gr SP SX are devastating and accurate. Worth a try.
Lots of good info! Has anyone tried the Berger 70gr., 75gr., or 80gr. VLD's on gophers? I'm looking for a high BC for long range shooting (continuous winds on the SK prairies), which unfortunately eliminates the typically lite weight (<65gr.) but highly frangible bullets such as the NBT, Vmax, BK, or V-Grenades.
It should be noted that the Amax does kill gophers quite effectively, however, not with the same affect as a highly frangible varmint bullet. I found this rather surprising as my experience with the 75gr. Amax on jack rabbits, coyote, fox, badger, and skunks has been nothing less then spectacular.
It should be noted that the Amax does kill gophers quite effectively, however, not with the same affect as a highly frangible varmint bullet. I found this rather surprising as my experience with the 75gr. Amax on jack rabbits, coyote, fox, badger, and skunks has been nothing less then spectacular.
