.224 bullet for Water Varmint

Dry Powder
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Posts: 12
(2/15/03 9:33:39 am)
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Could someone recommend a bullet for Varmint performance at close to the water level. This
is for Bank Beaver a genetic mutation that I have
a lot of problems in a property of mine in Canada.
Bank beaver can grow to over 60 lb..
I have a trappers permit but because of the steep banks
this critter is tough to trap humanely. Pelt Value is
very low so a clean Kill is the objective. You often have about a 1 1/2 inch target at 125 yards above water
so although I have used a 22 rim fire, at that range
they need a bigger target. I have tried full metal
jacket but my 1 in 14 twist shatters those 50 grain
pellets. Any ideas, good performance just below the water would be good.

warpig883
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Posts: 6270
(2/15/03 9:45:56 am)
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ezSupporter
Re: .224 bullet for Water Varmint
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People around here hunt beaver during the spring flooding like that. 22 mag is popular.

I don't think the 17 rimfire would cleanly kill a head shot large beaver at 125 yards, it would probably be crippled and dive.

17 Reminton or 222 maybe???? There would be pelt damage though.






Ignorance is a crime in 49 states. In the other one it is bliss.




Dry Powder
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Posts: 13
(2/15/03 9:55:30 am)
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Sorry, I had trouble logging in this morning and had to retype
the Question ... I forgot to point out that I want to use a
222 Remington (in Sako) with a 1 in 14 twist. In my experience we do a lot of competition work up here with 22's and we tend not to be fans of "22 Rimfire Magnums" for over 75 yards. My 222 is a tack driver and we have used it for benchrest in club events. I had tried speer 50 gr. FMJ.
and as I explained they come apart in the air.

WyomingSwede
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Posts: 719
(2/16/03 6:39:44 pm)
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I would think a FMJ would be the solution to your problems. Try a Hornady or Sierra. I dont think that you could get any surplus ammo in .222 rem. You got me stumped for sure.
Wyoming Swede

Dry Powder
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Posts: 16
(2/16/03 9:25:24 pm)
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Thanks Swede

I had trier Speer 55 grain FMJ #1045.

What FMJ had you had experience with I will try a box.



WyomingSwede
*TFF Senior Staff*
Posts: 720
(2/16/03 9:53:44 pm)
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I had used Sierra FMJ I think....what about using a 55 gr roundnose softpoint...shouldnt bounce as bad as the spitzers???

swede
Wyoming Swede

AmOtramp
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Posts: 6
(2/17/03 8:51:13 am)
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perhaps a slow traveling cast lead bullet would work.

Edited by: AmOtramp at: 2/17/03 8:52:13 am

Dry Powder
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Posts: 17
(2/17/03 10:01:48 am)
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I have a friend up here who feels my experience with FMJ
is not typical. I have never used cast bullets.
I think I will give FMJ's another chance in a Sierra. Wait to spring and I'll give you an update.



kdub01
*TFF Senior Staff*
Posts: 2096
(2/17/03 2:37:20 pm)
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I don't understand a full metal jacket shattering or coming apart in mid-air. They should hold together no matter what. The Speer FMJ has a somewhat more rounded nose - this may be what you want. The Triple Duce is a very good round, but not one to have such extreme velocities as to destabilize good .224 bullets.
"Keep Off The Ridgeline"


Dry Powder
Member
Posts: 18
(2/17/03 8:22:39 pm)
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My only experience with FMJ was as described

I Used ... Speer 55 grain FMJ #1045

and I used them in a 22 PPC USA Crono'd at about 3,450 FPS. The first experience was a very large group from one
round! I fired 2 more, same result. I see that Speer does not
offer this particular round any more but I still have 60
or so for sale cheap. The gun is 1 in 14 so not nasty or
anything.

Edited by: Dry Powder at: 2/18/03 1:14:02 pm