Best "Super-tip" varmit bullet

[Nevada Ed]

My supply is getting low and asking what you like to use.

I have used the Hornady V-Max, Sierra BlitzKing, Nosler Ballistic tip but not as yet the Winchester Combined tech.
in my 22-250,270 and 30-06 over the years.

Might give the Winchester a go if it has worked out for any of you...........depends also on if they are available.
Thanks for any help.

 

[H Richard]

I'm sold on the Nosler Ballistic Tip. Primarily because of the accuracy. They weren't intended as "match" bullets but they turned out that way! I use the 55 gr. in my 22-250 with Varget, and routinely get sub 1/2" groups and some sub 1/4" groups. I can attest to "decisive" impact on Prairie Dogs.

 

[venomballistics]

Ive played with them but abandoned em all.
the name of the game is high volume with precision. A basic hollow point seems the way as the lower price point better facilitates volume.

 

[gaijin]

I'm sold on the Nosler Ballistic Tip. Primarily because of the accuracy. They weren't intended as "match" bullets but they turned out that way! I use the 55 gr. in my 22-250 with Varget, and routinely get sub 1/2" groups and some sub 1/4" groups. I can attest to "decisive" impact on Prairie Dogs.

What he said...

 

[S&WProtected]

Another vote for Nosler ballistic tips, I have used them for 223, 30-06, and 300 Win Mag and they have been exceptionally accurate in every rifle I have shot them in. If I were to choose another bullet it would be the Sierra Game King I used to shoot these and they are also very accurate.

 

[rck281]

I have used the Winchester Combined Technology bullets. Essentially, they are Nosler Ballistic Tip bullets with the Winchester "moly" coating. You may have to slightly increase your powder charge to get the same velocity as with regular Ballistic Tip bullets. This is a common with any moly coated bullets.

 

[Homie]

FWIW-In my experience with the tipped bullets (since they were introduced), especially the .17s, .20s and.22s, Hornady's are not in the same class as the others mentioned accuracy wise. They also vary a bunch from lot to lot.
My group of PD/ground squirrel shooters goes with the Noslers first, Sierras second. The C/Ts were difficult to find even before the current drought.

 

[AveragEd]

You owe it to yourself to give Berger bullets a try. In rifles from .223REM to .300REM SAUM, they usually are my most accurate bullet followed by the Nosler Varmint Ballistic Tip and SIerra MatchKing in varmint rifles. The standard Nosler Ballistic Tip works well in the larger calibers when Bergers don't or when they won't fit into the magazine.

That brings me the one drawback to Bergers - they are long bullets and may not fit into your rifle's magazine if seated out close to the rifling, which is where they typically deliver the best accuracy. But in the case of a varmint rifle, I hardly ever put a round in the magazine anyway so it's a non-issue.

Ed

 

[shovelwrench]

I did use the Nosler ballistic tips, accuracy was good, but had expansion issues in my 22-250. Went to Barnes Varmint Grenades, great accuracy, and man do they open up.....

 

[Dashriprock]

Nosler BTs in my .220 Swift and .243 Win. Tried the Combined Tech, but accuracy was not as good.

 

[Rule3]

The "Best" is the one that you hit the varmints with.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I have a number of 22 caliber centerfire rifles I load for. I use 50 grain poly tipped bullets in all of them except 22 Hornet. The 4 major suppliers bullets are all of high quality, and I ended up with all 4 brands in use. My 22 BR custom and a 10' Contender in 221 Fireball like the Combined Technology "Ballistic Silvertip" best (the black coating on 22 and 243 bullets is not a "Moly" coating). My Cooper 21in 223 Rem likes the Sierra Blitzking best with groups of 1/4" at 200 yards but also likes Hornady V-Max a close second. My Ruger No. 1 in 218 likes the V-Max best and has done .55" offhand at 100 yards and sub 1/4" 100 yard groups off a rest. My Weatherby Vanguard VGX in 22-250 loved the Nosler bullets, 100 yard one hole groups (but i sold this gun in order to keep the 22 BR). I've found that the "Accuracy" load in either the Sierra or Lyman 45th edition are the load that works best. Then I load 5 of the load that works best with each of the poly tipped bullets and one will shoot better than the others (If there is a tie for 1st I go with the one that I have the most of). The 22 Hornet likes the 40 grain Nosler BT at 2900 fps and the Hornady 35 grain semi spitzer V-Max at 3100 fps (2 different rifles like both loads). I also have a Savage 1:8 twist 223 varmint that loves A-Max 75 grainers and Bergger 80 VLD out to 1000 yards ( in other hands than mine has done 5" at 1000) and refuses to miss groundhogs as far as you can find them. Some rifles like bullets touching the lands (Cooper for one) and some want a bunch of space off the lands. I use whatever is the biggest pile on the shelf to do load development then do the preference test. My Sako 6 PPC really likes the 55 grain Blitzking Moly (I got a box of 500 on a close out sale)) and a number of target hollow points but I haven't tried any of the other poly tipped bullets in it to be honest. I know it is easy for me to say "Buy a box of each" but maybe you can get some from your friends or buy some of the sample packs. I hope this give you some helping ideas. Ivan

 

[David Sinko]

I load the Hornady Z-Max in the 7.62x39. It vaporizes chipmunks and I'm betting it will perform very well for its marketed purpose.

Dave Sinko

 

[ILLWIND]

I have Nosler 50gr BT's and my AR's love them. AA2015 of H335 are my preferred powders. I also shoot Hornady 55gr SoftPoints (Cheap) with nearly as good accuracy.