Hornaday 55gr SP & SPSX...whats the difference..?

22MagMan

New member
I need to order some 55gr SP .223 bullets and Midway has them (Hornaday)on sale at $6.99/100..Not a bad price. I was wondering what the difference is between Hornadays 55gr SP and their SPSX ? Which would be best for coyotes (short range...50-150 yds)which is all I really hunt. I am using my NEF Handi rifle. I just got through loading some Hornaday V Max/Nosler Ballistic tip/Sierra's Blitzking all in 55 gr. I am waiting for a warm day to get out to the range to check them out. Any input on the two 55 gr soft point bullets would be appreciated. Thanks...Bill W....
 
The SPSX is super explosive, and both would work for coyote. I use the SPSX, and I have great success with it in my .222 and .223 rifles on predators.
 
there is a note in the box stating the max velocity for the spsx's, I'm thinking it was 3400 fps. anyhow I had them come apart about 80 yds out at max 223 velocity.
RR
 
I've had the same experience as Ridge Runner. My rifles won't shoot the SX. They blow up before hitting the target. You will have to try them to know if they work in your rifle. Some rifles shoot them fine. I hear they work real well if your gun can shoot them.
 
Exactly, the SX's are designed to expand at lower velocities like a short barreled handgun. Or you could use them in reduced loads too, but in a fast twist AR with 20 - 24 inch barrels or 22-250'S and such. I doubt that you will be happy with them. They kinda turn to mist right after leaving the barrel.
 
My Savage model 11 with a 1 in 9 twist shoot the 50 grain SXSP's very accurately, 1/2" groups, upto 3250 fps. After that the thin jacket shreds and they don't hit paper. I use them because where I live there is a build up of what I call rural sprawl and I want a bullet that once it hits fur or dirt it won't go any further in one piece. They do kill coyotes well, though. I popped a dog this morning at 130 yards wtih a full frontal chest shot and lights were out before her nose touched the ground. The autopsy showed 7 destroyed ribs, one lung torn in two, the other lung peppered well with rib bone embedded and the aorta torn off the top of the heart. It did the job just fine. Also, they are priced well.
 
Thank you all for your input...I ordered 2 boxes ($6.99 ea) of the SPSX's and 2 boxes of Sierra's 55gr. Gameking spitzer's. I currently load Hornadays 55gr.VMax with 26.5gr of H-335. Very accurate. I assume that this load is about 3200fps. Based on what you guys have said about the lower velocities, the SPSX's should work well for me. Nice work on that coyote Chris...I was out this am before dawn and saw nothing. We got a little snow last night and I thought it would be a good time to go out. Not many coyotes in our area, you just have to sit, call and wait for them to come thru.

THEY GOT SADDAM....GREAT NEWS...
 
22MAGMAN, I really like the 55 SPSX, and I load them to around 3600 in my 22-250, never had one blow up. But now I have a new excuse for missing those easy shots.
 
I have shot several hundred SPSX bullets from a .223 at prairie dogs. The Soft Point Super eXplosive means just that. The thing explodes inside the varmint, and explodes the varmint. There is no exit wound.

It explodes the prairie dog but I doubt it would explode a coyote. Make a hell of a mess though!
 
The SXSP is my favorite coyote bullet. Hardly ever have one come out when shot out of the 223. I stumbled onto these a couple of years ago and was shocked at how well they worked. That's all I shoot out of the AR now. They're cheap too!
 
Thats great..the last two posts sound promising. I will have to load some up and give it a try.
Also...I found no note inside the boxes of the Hornadays 55gr SPSX's of any kind about shooting velosities with these bullets. I will be going out this early evening to see if I can call in Mr. Coyote....I have a 55gr. VMax just for him.....Thanks fellas....
 
Back
Top