Bullets - Target Shooting vs Hunting with .22lr

[Spazz.]

I'm interested to know about the .22lr shooters out there. Do you use separate bullets for groups as opposed to hunting? I'm wanting to shoot groups with my .22, but I'm also wanting to hunt (Squirrels, mainly. Probably the occasional starling too).

If you use your rig for both paper and fur, do you use different bullets and keep 2 (or more) sets of dope? I'm new to this rifle business (always hunted with shotguns), and I don't know a whole heck of a lot about .22 bullet performance. I know that for varmints, you usually can't beat a .17hmr - you get a nice pulpy mess where the head was.

I don't want to start a "match bullets for hunting" thread, I just want to know what bullets you use, if any, for hunting; and if they're different than the ones you use to punch holes in paper.

Also, is there any difference in the inherent accuracy of hollow points vs round nose? What about coated or plated bullets for .22lr? Do you notice any difference in accuracy when you use the copper-coated as opposed to plain lead? I need some educating, so thanks in advance if you're willing to explain some stuff to me.

 

[Shiraz]

Re: Bullets - Target Shooting vs Hunting with .22lr

My $.02, find out which kind of ammo is the most accurate in your rifle and use that for everything, fur, feather, paper. That way you only need one set of dope tables.

I've never noticed a diff between hollow points and solids on game.

Also if the critter is too big for .22 it does not matter what you shoot it with, it's gonna crawl off anyway(like big rockchucks)

 

[poles93]

Re: Bullets - Target Shooting vs Hunting with .22lr

For groups my 77/22 likes RWS Match and for hunting I use Remington Yellow Jackets. They do a number on Squirels and rabbits.

 

[TOP PREDATOR]

Re: Bullets - Target Shooting vs Hunting with .22lr

just my experience,

i go with expanding heads on game (hollowpoints, polymere, etc.)

i go with whatever shoots the best out my savage mkii on paper.
i don't use the mkii for hunting its a strictly home to car to range and back rifle.

the only hollowpoint that stays subsonic that shoots very well out of it for me to use for game are remington subsonics out to about 65 yards, then the groups get too open for me. that would be my hunting/paper round out to 50 yards.

i have a side job "taking care" of injured / sick wildlife and in urban areas the yellow jackets take down deer at 60 yards with proper placement in the head.

i generally do my coyote, varmint, small game hunting with the .22 mag marlin, using 30gr hornady vmax, which also works extremely well on paper. i only use the cci fmj 40 gr ammo for turkeys for extra penetration through the tough feathers to the vitals and to reduce edible meat damage if the shot is alittle off. i then use a different dope table, as i have to. but i have one table for quick reference taped on the side of the scope out to 200 yards.

i have the combo for mil ranging at different magnifications, target sizes, what distance, and what turret setting for both 30 gr v-max and 40 gr. fmj, all at a glance. just have to rezero at 50 yards once, write down what adjustments you made from one weight to another, then loosen turrets and put baxck to zero. returning to the other ammo is the reverse order.

if i have the time before taking a shot, i'll refer to the data book as it has more specifics and seperate tables for each weight.

but like SHIRAZ said, it comes down to what shoots out of your rifle well, and what is capable of producing an ethical harvest.

 

[AUJohn]

Re: Bullets - Target Shooting vs Hunting with .22lr

If you can find a hunting load accurate enough for head/chest shots out to you max hunting range then use them. Accuracy FIRST.

 

[SquirrelAssassin]

Re: Bullets - Target Shooting vs Hunting with .22lr

You need to practice with the same ammo as you would use when you are hunting. Every brand of ammo shoots a little bit different. Like TOP PREDATOR said, hollow points work very well for hunting. My .22 shoots CCI's better though. Just don't use the CCI Stingers on Squirrels. Nasty mess.

 

[Spazz.]

Re: Bullets - Target Shooting vs Hunting with .22lr

I didn't know how much expansion/penetration a hollow point would have on something as small as a squirrel. With hunting, I'm used to beading it, pulling the trigger, and watching it fall dead out of the tree. I just get tired of an occasional stinky squirrel from a stray pellet hitting something wrong inside; and I want better control over what gets hit.

Y'all are very helpful, thanks a lot. Top Predator, I've got a box of Remington Subsonic HP sitting at home, but I haven't had a chance to see how they shoot. It's been cold, wet, and windy here. I'm totally new to the rifle scene, and I'm trying to learn all-new equipment, how to set it up, how to use it, how to get accurate dope, what power my scope ranges on, <span style="font-style: italic">and</span> what ammo shoots accurately out of my setup; all while learning how all that responds to temperature and wind speed. I love it.

The general preferred ammunition for targets and varmints, though, seems to be subsonic something-or-other. Right? Is that mainly because outside of about 60-90 yards, the higher velocity stuff makes the subsonic transition and becomes less stable and therefore less accurate?

 

[SquirrelAssassin]

Re: Bullets - Target Shooting vs Hunting with .22lr

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Spazz</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I didn't know how much expansion/penetration a hollow point would have on something as small as a squirrel. With hunting, I'm used to beading it, pulling the trigger, and watching it fall dead out of the tree. I just get tired of an occasional stinky squirrel from a stray pellet hitting something wrong inside; and I want better control over what gets hit.</div></div>

I was the same way. Using my .410 was a pain in the teeth after you cook the squirrel and find a pellet in its leg.

 

[hilbillee]

Re: Bullets - Target Shooting vs Hunting with .22lr

All my 22's shoot the Wolf match extra & the Sk standard plus extreme,y well. They also shoot the CCI subsonic @ standard velocity. I don't know why but they don't digest the Remington subsonic very well though.