22-250 bullet recommendations

Not sure about twist rates really, but for fur friendly the Sierra 52 gr. Matchking BTHP has been the best I have found. Tried the Sierra 55 gr. soft points and 55gr Nosler ballistic tips but both were very hard on the hides. The ballistic tip has been the most accurate out of both of my 250's, but I am a hide guy. I hunt with a guy that shoots the Hornaday match bullets and they seem to do as well as the Sierra's. One thing to remember the match bullets don't kill as good as the ballistic/vmax type with poor shot placement, but put them where they go and they will never take a step.
 
Also these match bullets are not recommended for hunting. But I believe that is meant for large game, a 52 bullet going 3600 + fps. on a coyote sized animal it has plenty of punch. Shot placement is a little more critical though.
 
U might as well take advantage of the 10 twist and try out something like a 68gr hirnady match, theres tons of videos and info out there showing it will open up and frag even at 223 velocities out past 400 yards IIRC
 
I dont buy into the match bullet for targets only bologna. It's a very thin jacketed bullet with a hollow point, its gonna open up and come apart at most any reasonable velocity. Obviously they wanna sell you as many products as possible so of course they list them as specialized to one task cause if they came out and said "the 55gr game king hp can take deer, predator and still shoots like a match bullet" it would be tough to sell any of their other stuff
 
The HP MATCH bullets are not designed to open up. The hollow tip means there is more weight toward base of bullet and because there is a hollow the bullet is longer for weight to achieve a better BC. They don’t open on coyotes, they punch thru like a FMJ.
 
I've shot a few coyotes with Hornady Steel Match 52gr. BTHP and haven't lost one using them. I just figured the bullet did open up but never did any further investigation on whether they did or not.

Shot a skunk with one not too long ago from about 60 yards and its head disintegrated. I just assumed there was rapid expansion there too. Shot a coyote running straight away once and barely clipped it. When I looked at the damage afterwards there was a trench dug beside its back bone that ran to about the middle of its back.
 
Originally Posted By: K9SNIPERThe HP MATCH bullets are not designed to open up. The hollow tip means there is more weight toward base of bullet and because there is a hollow the bullet is longer for weight to achieve a better BC. They don’t open on coyotes, they punch thru like a FMJ.

I wonder what happens to them when they get inside of a coyote and don't come out...?? I've never had a 52 grain BTHP act like a FMJ. Maybe I need to slow them down to the point that they barely achieve penetration.

Don't be fooled by the marketing that even Sierra posts about match bullets. I started using them years ago after a real live Sierra Technician told me just that during a phone call, and that the BTHP was a good fur saving bullet. He was right.

Reliably getting inside of a coyote is why they are more effective than the popular plastic tipped bullets at high velocities like you get with a 22-250. Acting like a FMJ bullet.....? Uhmmmm..... Not in my experience.
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Originally Posted By: Winny FanOriginally Posted By: K9SNIPERThe HP MATCH bullets are not designed to open up. The hollow tip means there is more weight toward base of bullet and because there is a hollow the bullet is longer for weight to achieve a better BC. They don’t open on coyotes, they punch thru like a FMJ.

I wonder what happens to them when they get inside of a coyote and don't come out...?? I've never had a 52 grain BTHP act like a FMJ. Maybe I need to slow them down to the point that they barely achieve penetration.

Don't be fooled by the marketing that even Sierra posts about match bullets. I started using them years ago after a real live Sierra Technician told me just that during a phone call, and that the BTHP was a good fur saving bullet. He was right.

Reliably getting inside of a coyote is why they are more effective than the popular plastic tipped bullets at high velocities like you get with a 22-250. Acting like a FMJ bullet.....? Uhmmmm..... Not in my experience.
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Agreed. I've shot quite a few different match bullets from 22-250, 243 win, 6.5 creedmoor(3calibers I shoot the most) and I have yet to see a match bullet act like a fmj, it is almost always the other way around! Maybe I'm just lucky because I own one of those magical creedmoors
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Its fairly well documented that the Sierra and Hornady 52 gr match bthps are 2 of the more popular coyote bullets ever and its certainly not because they are "penciling" through.
 
As far as the OP goes. My personal favorite is the 52 gr Amax/eldm although generally not fur friendly they are reliable drt killers. Before that I used the 52 sierra matchkings with excellent results as well.

One of my main contests partners is shooting the exact rifle you referenced and he has been working with the 53 varmeggeddon. So far its been a reliable killer although to be fair the only coyotes he has shot have been at fairly close ranges/close enough virtually any bullet should kill effectively. In the limited time I've been around this bullet I believe noslers published BC is drastically inflated. More testing would be requured to confirm or deny this.

I'm going to try the Gamekings that several have referenced as I found some factory seconds for really good prices. I'm a sucker for a sale is the only reason I'm going to make a change.

As far as factory ammo ive always had good luck with the Winchester white box 45 gr hps. Though to be fair I haven't shot enough to form a sound opinion.

There are so many 22 cal bullets available go do some real world testing and figure out what works for you!

 
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Shot hundreds of fox and a few coyotes in the 80s with 55 gr Sierra FMJ in a 250. Now I shoot coyotes off a bait site and calling with the 52 gr BTHP running around 3600 FPS. I find them very similar. Broadside thru the ribs with the 52s results in a quarter size exit hole that takes just a few stitches. Hit a hip or shoulder and they often don’t exit depending on angle. Just my experience.
 
Originally Posted By: K9SNIPERThe HP MATCH bullets are not designed to open up. The hollow tip means there is more weight toward base of bullet and because there is a hollow the bullet is longer for weight to achieve a better BC. They don’t open on coyotes, they punch thru like a FMJ.

Maybe they are not designed to open up but most anyone who's shot something other than paper with one will tell you that they do open up, quite well actually. They act nothing like a FMJ whatsoever.
Like I said before the 68 & 77 gr HP Match bullets will open up and frag out to several hundred yards at 223 speeds so in a 250 even more so. Google it some gel block test if you dont believe me l, it's been tested quite throughly.
 
Fox with a 22-250? Maybe at reduced velocities.

Beyond that, it must be the rarefied Minnysoda air that makes some special things happen.........
 
I never claimed I knew any better in the 80s. I will stand behind what I know now from much experience. I’m grey in the beard and been selling pelts a long time... Beat me up for comparing the 2 bullets and shooting fox with a 250 if ya want. I know what I know and just trying to help the OP. Seems most of us are in agreement on a good 250 bullet.
 
I don’t shoot Sierra Match Hollowpoints, but I have shot thousands of the Berger Match Target hollowpoints in 17 caliber (25 grain Match(Target) and in .22-250 both the 52 and 55 grain Match (Target) hollowpoints and I have never experienced FMJ performance. Most leave a small entrance and no exit.

The only experience I have had with FMJ were in .223 back in the late 80’s. Military stuff (55 grain) seemed like lots of runners and the ones I did recover had a .224 hole going in and danged near that coming out.
 
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Originally Posted By: K9SNIPERI never claimed I knew any better in the 80s. I will stand behind what I know now from much experience. I’m grey in the beard and been selling pelts a long time... Beat me up for comparing the 2 bullets and shooting fox with a 250 if ya want. I know what I know and just trying to help the OP. Seems most of us are in agreement on a good 250 bullet.

As I stated earlier, don't believe everything you read in the Sierra marketing efforts. This description of the Match Kings covers far more than just the 52 grain BTHP.

https://www.sierrabullets.com/resources/bullet-selection/

And also as I stated earlier, a real live Sierra person told me that the 52 grain BTHP was a good fur bullet. I still believer him.

If you feel that you're getting "beat up", maybe review what you post that others know from "much experience" is possibly caca de toro.
 
I know of several guys in the 1970 through 80's that shot the fmj in 22-250 in Mn. Mostly Red fox fewer coyote than. These guys were in the 50-100 per winter. However some of the worst damage I have ever seen were also by those bullets. Saw some shot running away, looked like you ran a can opener down the spine. By the mid 80's I had switched to the 17 Rem for fox. I am playing with Barts 52 ultra right now, will be tough for those bullets to beat the Nosler 55 bt.
 
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