Nosler .224/50 Gr. BT’s and coyotes?

coyotehunter_1

Anyone using Nosler 50 Gr. Ballistic Tips for coyote?
I prefer using 55 grain projectiles but I have not found a brand my 22-250 really likes. It shoots the 50 grain BTâ€™s (3750 fps MV) quite well. The rifle is new so I have no field experience with this rifle/bullet combo. It's intended purpose is mainly for med-long range ground hogs but then again it may be put to use on open ground coyotes. Iâ€™m concerned the BTâ€™s may be a little too explosive (surface splash) for good penetration, on coyotes, if hit in a big bone area like the shoulder.

Your comments and experiences are appreciated,

Chet

Flint54

Nosler makes a very fine bullet, but any brand of that weight shot at 3750 fps will make a mess if you hit bone. I have used them on yotes but at @ 3300 - 3400 fps and they anchored yotes and bobcats with no off side damage other than sometimes the thick base would exit and there would be a very small puncture. If you have a crono down load them to @ 3350 fps and give them a try, faster may not always be better in some venues. Cool

Handloader

Most of my calling is done with this bullet in a 223Rem and I have found the results to be excellent. When using the 220 Swift, the same bullet produces too many wounds, so I went with the 55gr BTs and solved that problem.

Coyote_Hunter_

coyotehunter_1 â€“

Havenâ€™t used the 50â€™s, but have used the 40g BTâ€™s to very good effect. They are explosive, but Iâ€™ve never had a problem with â€œsurface splashâ€ except on the far side! Other times they make a tiny entrance hole and the coyote simply drops, no exit wound whatsoever.

Currently I use 52g Match BTHPâ€™s from Speer and Hornady, but have a load worked up for the 50g V-MAX and will switch as soon as I run out of BTHPâ€™s. Might be a while, as Iâ€™ve started using my .257 Roberts and 75g V-MAX for â€˜yotes. The 75â€™s work like the 40â€™s â€“ perfectly.

crittergitter · Rookie Member Joined: Feb 19, 2006 Posts: 9

Coyotehunter 1, perhaps the Sierra 55 grain BTHP might work well for you. It shoots excellent out of my 220 swift and does a good job on yotes without much pelt damage. I am using, IMR 4064 powder, seems to be a good combo. Just a suggestion.... I did try the 50 grain ballistic silvertip (nosler/win. combined technology) and it did well, but I preferred the overall performance and accuracy of the 55 grain Sierra BTHP. Havent loaded any of the regular Nosler BT, but I have heared they are pretty similar to the silvertip. Just my 2 cents, good luck.

Vince

Keep this topic going guys please.

I have a mate for whom I reload .223 and he can't make up his mind on what bullet to use. I reckon the 55gr is the way to go in his Howa. I like the idea of the 55 grain Sierra BTHP because that should handle most game we are likely to hunt here in Australia, and they are nice and accurate.

Cheers, Vince

coyotehunter_1

Thanks everyone for the replies!

For Vince....

Quote::

Keep this topic going guys please.

Vince,
Both the 55 gr. Sierra spitzers and BTHP's have worked well in my 223 (1 in 12" twist). I feel the 1 in 14" twist of my 22-250 may be the reason 55 grain bullets have not been as accurate as the 50's.

Chet

Crackshot

Coyote_hunter_:
How is that 257 working out for you? I have a Savage 112 BVSS in 25/06 and it just blows things to smitherins, I sell my skins and have had to take a beating on damaged skins because of the 25/06.

Coyote_Hunter_

Crackshot wrote:

Coyote_hunter_:
How is that 257 working out for you? I have a Savage 112 BVSS in 25/06 and it just blows things to smitherins, I sell my skins and have had to take a beating on damaged skins because of the 25/06.

Its working great and has become my favorite rifle for coyotes. Took one at 479 lasered yards a few weeks back. Got one Easter morning at 320 yards, couldn't find the entrance or an exit. 75g V-MAX at 3609fps. Damage results vary from dog to dog but I don't sell the skins so it isn't a concern. If I was selling the skins I'd probably go back to the .22-250 and use a 55g FMJ. Or switch to a Barnes solid.

Vince

coyotehunter_1 wrote:

Thanks everyone for the replies!

For Vince....

Quote::

Keep this topic going guys please.

Vince,
Both the 55 gr. Sierra spitzers and BTHP's have worked well in my 223 (1 in 12" twist). I feel the 1 in 14" twist of my 22-250 may be the reason 55 grain bullets have not been as accurate as the 50's.

Chet

G'Day Chet,

I think you may have hit the nail squarely on the head with your 22-250.

We have used everything from 50's to 62's in the .223 and it definitely prefers the 55's. The mate has taken fallow deer, kangaroos, rabbits, feral cats foxes and crows with the 55's and I think that we will stick to them, although we aren't using the BT, only Spire Point flat bases. They aren't exiting the roos and they are a very soft skinned animal.

Cheers, Vince

1895ss

Crackshot wrote:

Coyote_hunter_:
How is that 257 working out for you? I have a Savage 112 BVSS in 25/06 and it just blows things to smitherins, I sell my skins and have had to take a beating on damaged skins because of the 25/06.

I have had some loads in my 22-250 over the years that ripped things apart more then necessary but was always able to sew things together when the pelt was fresh and before stretching, that I still got top dollar. Smile

Crackshot

Your hide buyer must be more forgiving than mine. he can be a real pain in the butt.