Looking for the best bullet for vermin to shoot of my AR. Easy button is a 55 grain BT or Vmax. But I want something that will blow to heck when it strikes something as small as a raccoon. Rifle is a Colt M4 LE/military 5.56 1:7”. Wondering how light I can go with that twist that will shoot accurately and won’t come apart. It’s my truck gun when out in the woods and I run into raccoons a lot when checking bear bait so I want something handy to take them out and know that the bullet isn’t going anywhere after hitting the coon.
AR varmint bullet
- Thread starter Brinky72
- Start date
- Nov 4, 2004
- 25,342
- 8,903
I used to run the 50 gr BT in a 22-250. Shot quite a few coyotes and it wasn't too bad on the pelts. Through the slats resulted in an exit hike the size of a quarter. Rarely got an exit on shoulder shots. On woodchucks, it raised holy havoc.
JD338
JD338
xphunter
Handloader
- Sep 15, 2005
- 1,239
- 2,223
How light do you want to go?
I use 50 grains with a 7 Twist and kills pd's great
I use 50 grains with a 7 Twist and kills pd's great
xphunter
Handloader
- Sep 15, 2005
- 1,239
- 2,223
Divernhunter
Handloader
- Apr 1, 2009
- 812
- 171
for years- until Calif required non-lead ammo- I use 55gr SX Hornady bullets. I still use them when out of state. Mag primer and 27grs of Win 748 has been super accurate and explosive. Not I use 36 gr VG Barnes bullets. They work but I do not get the 3 pieces of the squirrel flying in all directions. This is in a 223/5.56 rifle or pistol
300WSM
Handloader
- Dec 24, 2011
- 962
- 577
Many choices out there to accomplish your mission but what I use in that platform covers everything.
Defense, varmint, target...
Hornady # 2263B
It's a 55gr BTHP bullet
The only issue is Hornady will only sell that bullet by the quantity of 6000.
The problem is Hornady uses them in their boxed ammo and they need them unless someone wants to pony up and buy 6000.
I've bitched a lot to Hornady about that and think I'm making some head way. A little bit anyways..
In the mean time if you go to https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/
they bought them by the 6000 and repackaged them in boxes of 250.
They are around $50 for 250
55 gr BTHP
That's my #1 go to do-all everything 5.56 bullet.
Defense, varmint, target...
Hornady # 2263B
It's a 55gr BTHP bullet
The only issue is Hornady will only sell that bullet by the quantity of 6000.
The problem is Hornady uses them in their boxed ammo and they need them unless someone wants to pony up and buy 6000.
I've bitched a lot to Hornady about that and think I'm making some head way. A little bit anyways..
In the mean time if you go to https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/
they bought them by the 6000 and repackaged them in boxes of 250.
They are around $50 for 250
55 gr BTHP
That's my #1 go to do-all everything 5.56 bullet.
Varmint
Beginner
- Feb 9, 2023
- 15
- 32
The hornady sxsp’s or the Sierra blitz is what you need 
hunter24605
Handloader
- Apr 30, 2016
- 2,548
- 4,256
The most destructive I've shot was the Barnes varmint grenade, but kind of spendy. The blitzking is a pink mist maker and pretty easy on the wallet. I've heard many say the Hornady SP is a violent projectile. Recently I got some hornady 55 gr HP's from blue collar that are very accurate and rumored to be be quite excellent varmint bullets. blue collar reloading
300WSM
Handloader
- Dec 24, 2011
- 962
- 577
That's the exact bullet I recommend above.
They're the perfect do-all 5.56 bullet IMO
Cheap enough to blast or rap the gong...
HP with speed is highly volatile...
Cannelure if needed
It just irritates me Hornady sells them only by the 6000's unless reboxed by a vendor.
Ridge_Runner
Handloader
- Sep 29, 2006
- 1,388
- 739
The. sxsp's will not make the 100 yard mark in a 9 twist barrel at max 223 velocities. Ask me how I know!The hornady sxsp’s or the Sierra blitz is what you need
300WSM
Handloader
- Dec 24, 2011
- 962
- 577
300WSM
Handloader
- Dec 24, 2011
- 962
- 577
Maybe Vermin is a better word
- Thread starter
- #17
Thanks for the info. I’m thinking the blitz king might be the ticket or something like it. I’m looking for something that will flatten a coon and not go much farther. I was just concerned that something that frangible wouldn’t hold up spun that fast in a 1:7” twist. I’ve got plenty 62 gr bonded and 75 grain BTHP stuff to cover the other stuff.
- Thread starter
- #20
