70 GRN Speer is cup n core and works well. The lighter monos going fast do too. Very very well in fact, just stay under 150 yards,they don't shed weight so penertrate well.

For roedeer I use Sierra's 63 grs SMP with very good results, but you have to check if your barrel likes them. I have 3 rifles in .222 and only the Sabatti will stabilize this 63 grs SMP. The funny thing is that this Sabatti also performs with a 45 grs bullet.
The others (a Baikal and a costum-made) like the 55 grs bullets but not this 63 grs SMP.

My bakail happy with sierra 63 GRN.its what I shot the big old stag with last winter lol

So you see one just have to try it out...
and when down under the 63 grn works well in a Baikal, I might have to try it out holding my Baikal upside-down

and the strange thing: doesn't Sierra name this bullet a "varmint-bullet"?
So when I had believed all what's been writen by others, I even wouldn't have tried that 63 grn SMP...
that's the nice thing about reloaders: they are never completely done and ready to retire!

Speer call the 70 GRN a varmint bullet too. Heck Hornady eldx etc were target bullets when first came out....that sure didn't last long. They are first pick over here for the long range crowd.

I really like the Sierra Gameking 65gr boat tail for a .223 cal bullet. Super accurate out of my heavy barrel AR15 (.39" is my best group). Plenty of oomph for smaller big game animals (pronghorn antelope, deer).


-DallanC

DallanC wrote:

I really like the Sierra Gameking 65gr boat tail for a .223 cal bullet. Super accurate out of my heavy barrel AR15 (.39" is my best group). Plenty of oomph for smaller big game animals (pronghorn antelope, deer). -DallanC

Your deer would be the same size as those here. 65 grain Game King? Huh ok I'll expand my parameters a bit

or how "humour" can turn into serious business by "nuts"...
I bet nobody is going to search info on .224 bullets in this thread afterwards

getting older the muscles turn stiffer but the minds still can jump in a way young people can hardly follow...

I hit wallaby at close to 300 yards the other day with old Hornady 70 GRN flat base soft point...box says .227. So I guess they were either ither or between 222 or 22hp savage. They work in my 1:10 twist if that shot was anything to go by...might have to shoot paper to find out. Hit another at similar range with the Speer 70 GRN... No luck with my usual 50 GRN loads out past 250 yards..pretty big ask of them out that far across a deep gully.