50 gr. V-Max vs. 50 gr. TNT

[Loki_762]

Okay, so I have a respectable load for my .223 with a 50 grain V-max.  It comes moving out of my barrel around 3300 fps, and when I do my part, groups at half an inch.  I will be using this load this spring on ground squirrels and rockchucks, and I am sure it will be effective on both.  However, I have been doing some reading about the 50 grain TNT, and that sounds like an impressive little bullet as well.  So, being your typical reloader that is never satisfied with one good round, I am thinking about trying out some loads with the TNT.  Can anyone tell me about the explosive qualities of this bullet on the critters mentioned above?  I have no doubt it will dispatch a rockchuck nicely, and probably a coyote as well, but will it expand quickly enough on ground squirrels that are only around two inches thick through the middle?  It just seems like that is not a lot of space for adequate expansion to occur in, and I don't want to wound the animals and have them die slowly.  I want it to be as quick as possible.  So, how do these two bullets compare for making fast, humane, explosive kills?  
Thanks,
Loki

[Hildy]

The TNT is indeed a very explosive bullet and holds a good BC for being a hollowpoint. It may not be quite as prone to fragment as the ballistic tip type bullets but I know the groundhogs complain when hit with one.

My buddy uses them in his 243 at 3090fps. Not too fast but the groundhogs he whacks with them usually spew internals very far. His farthest shot was around 400 yards and he said the first hit wasn't good but the second cut the hog in two.

Not only this, but I have seen those bullets shoot accurate as heck too. He recently shot a 3 shot group at 200 yards that could be covered with a dime out of his 243.

Go head and give em a shot. From what I and others have seen, this bullet comes apart quite well.

[SAWgunner]

I prefer the V-Max's in my .220 Swift.  I find them to be more accurate than TNT's  and Barne's Burners.  I think you will be more happy with the V-Max's for long range work (thye are nasty short range, too.)


SAW