Quote:
pcammo,
When bullets start blowing up it is a sure sign you are ready for a new barrel. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif
Jack
Sorry Jack, don't know if I agree with that one.
I'd say it would have a lot to do with the condition of the bore maybe, but not necessarily worn out. With thinner jacketed bullets like the varmint style, or highly frangible types, I've seen them come apart with newer barrels that were still a little rough and not broke in quite yet, but not with overly worn barrels. Many of the lands on newer barrels are sharp and less forgiving with thinly jacketed bullets.
Usually the lands on worn barrels are well worked and less likely to cut the jacket as sharply.
mi yote,
I switched from Sierra's to Hornady's a couple of years back. I had used Sierra's for a long, long time prior, but with the seemingly better accuracy I had with the Vmax's, and the better performance on game, I opted to start using them 90% of the time in handloads.
I use them in both the .223 and the .22-250. Right now both loads use the 55gr. Vmax, but I'm starting to load the 50gr.'s in .223 now.
With the .22-250, seemingly, anything over 100-150yds, at 3500fps., pass throughs are very rare. Last year I shot a fox in the mouth that was running directly at me at about 275 yds. The bullet entered the mouth near a back molar, and never exited the back of the fox's head.
A woodchuck that was shot in the head at 220yds, entering behind the left ear, never exited and turned the head to mush.
A coyote that I shot at 210yds, hit just above center behind the shoulder, dropped on the spot with no exit.
I'd say anything inside 100yds. with the .223, and especially the .22-250, could be iffy.
With a bullet like the Vmax's, their performance (good or bad) hinges on several components. Naturally muzzle speed, but also distance to target, time in target, the speed of the bullet on impact, etc.
You have two schools of thought......fast & explosive, or slower with less destruction. They both have their "pros & cons", I guess.
Most of the time, it appears, specific bullets that are pushed faster seem to erupt inside the animal and stay there, dropping the animal in it's tracks. A pass through with these usually results in a considerable amount of pelt damage. On the other hand, slowing the round down might not drop them "on the spot" so to speak, and a pass through might occur, but the overall damage would probably be much less.
I guess I'm a middle of the road person for the most part. Most of my .22-250 loads with 55gr. bullets run pretty much below maximum velocities where the best accuracy usually falls.
My .223 loads using 55gr. bullets average 3050-3200fps.
Just my 2....
Take care,
Bob
