Highly frangible 75gr 223 bullets?

[.22LRGUY]

Hey guys-either they don't exist, or my Google mojo is letting me down. lol Recently ran some factory 223 offerings through a new bolt action rifle, and confirmed that it shot 75gr. the best. (Hornady "Black", 75gr BTHP) I've never varmint hunted with this bullet type, but would be a bit concerned with over-penetration on something the size of a groundhog/coyote...limiting the types of shots I an take, where I take them, etc. I prefer highly frangible bullets, and have had the most success with Hornady V-Max, whether I load them or buy them as factory loaded ammo.

I've taken a quick look and it would seem that the ballistic tip bullets top-out at about 60gr. (Hornady)...but do any of you know whether or not a bullet of this style is available up around 70-75gr.? I've checked Hornady, Speer, Sierra (BKs) etc, no luck. I would have to think they exist, can anyone point me in the right direction, or confirm they can't be had? If you've loaded varmint ammo using bullets in the weight range, I'd be very curious about what you used, and the terminal effect.

Also wondering if the Hunting sub-forum would be the best place to ask this, but at least this forum is full of reloaders.

thanks!

 

[fwm]

If I read the Hornady website correctly the 75gr HPBT is highly frangible. I believe it is the same bullet loaded in the TAP Precision ammo attached is a link of the product description. You should be good to go.

ht tps://www.hornadyle.com/rifle-ammunition/75-gr-bthp-tap#!/

 

[.22LRGUY]

Thanks for chiming in! It was the Hornady "Black" 75gr BTHP factory ammo I was running (cloverleaf @ 100 yards) and if I've got my facts straight, the link for the bullet itself is below as well. 12" of penetration isn't bad really, may have to start with this bullet. Not sure if I could get 60gr. V-Max shooting well with handloads, the factory 55gr. Hornady Varmint (V-Max) factory ammo really did not do well at all.

ht tps://www.hornady.com/bullets/rifle/22-cal-224-75-gr-bthp-600#!/

ht tps://www.hornady.com/ammunition/rifle/223-remington-75-gr-bthp-match-black#!/

 

[blargon]

My .22-250 loves the 75gr hpbt. Have only taken 1 coyote with that load, and am still working on a .223 load with it.

 

[Hitzy]

Any cup/core bullet will come apart fast, don't sweat it.

 

[Ganderite]

I have the Hornady test data from when that 75 gr bullet was developed. It mushrooms quite well.

 

[Meroh]

I may be in a rut, but Sierra HPBT Match King has always been my go-to varmint rifle over the years; ran them in .22-250, .223, and now 6.5 x 55. Speer was my second choice. In .22 you have lots of choice from sierra in weights from 52 right up to 95 gr. Nothing fancy, but inherently accurate, and to quote John Candy "they blowed up reel-good!". https://www.sierrabullets.com/product-tag/matchking/?filter_diameter=0-224&query_type_diameter=or