Home Forums Reloading Varmint Rifles Dogtown Bullets

The latest Midway sales circular has .22 cal jsp Dogtown bullets for less than $60.00 per 500, not including shipping. Its my understanding that Nosler is the manufacturer. Has any here had experience in loading and shooting these bullets? Are they accurate? How do they perform on varmints? Any other comments?

Thnks in advace for any comments.

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I can't say anything good about the 50 grain Dogtowns, they were pitiful in six different rifles we tried them in, you could often get three bullets into one hole, but the next two went to Hell in a jet airplane. No, it wasn't technique, or me. It was across the board, in six different rifles, with proven powders/primers.

I didn't try any of the 55s, though, maybe they are better. Doesn't matter to me, I won't buy them again. The .20 caliber bullets are somewhat better, some diligence DID finally come up with a useable load for them.

Ratsmacker:

Thanks for the reply. When something seems to be too good to be true...etc.

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I bought mine for $37.95/500, even at that price, they weren't a bargain. I think I'd look at Midsouth's Varmint Nightmare bullets, made by Hornady, and save some coin. I seldom have a complaint with Hornady's bullets.

Midsouth also sells the same bullets as Midway, called Varmint Nightmare Extremes, same bullet, less pricey........

Midsouth has two types, and apparently three different sources. The 55gr Varmint Nightmare w/cannelure appears to be a Hornady bullet (ogive shape), whereas the Varmint Extreme line (no cannelure) are a Sierra profile.
Then the .20 and .17's are reported to be by Nosler (not sure who knows this for sure).
I have used the 50 and 55 gr Extreme with great success, and the price is hard to beat. I also have bought the .17 and .20 pills, and just started loading them. The 17's shot well out of my 17AH.
Midsouth's normal price usually beats Midway's "sale" price by a significant margin.

Greg

Mulerider, I have a buddy in Oregon who's wife works for Nosler, and I found out that Nosler makes all the Midsouth's Extremes and Midway's Dogtown bullets. They are the same bullets, according to Rick's wife.
I've had pretty fair luck with Benchmark and the .20 34HPs, they won't hang with the poly-tipped bullets in .204, but they do plenty well enough for 300 yard PD shooting, and cost a lot less. I was really disappointed in the Dogtown 50s, but the 34s have been pretty fair. I don't have a centerfire .17, so I haven't tried the newest bullets.

As per usual everybody's experiance is different. Just bought some of the dogtown bullets and yes they are the same as Mid South's 50 gr extreme bullets which I bought and tried earlier this year. Both shot very well for me. Their design leaves something to be desired for balistic coefficent so I leaned on them pretty hard to make up for it a little with speed. With a healty dose of BenchMark and shot in a very accurate Rem 700 five 5 shot groups ran the gamut from 3/8's in. to 5/8's in. groups with no abnomal flyers that weren't called by me. In a Howa varmint charged with TAC powder groups ran up to an inch but I expected that in that rifle. Enough of them hung in the 5/8's range that I will use that combo for rock chucks and other moderate sized vermin. If the price remains low I will probably buy them again when the nearly 4000 I have are gone.

Good info here, anyone want to input some splat factor impressions?

HM

I have read somewhat the same info, but am most skeptical on the 55gr w/cannelure. Its secant ogive (spire point)sure looks like Hornady lineage, and when compared to some Hornady's I have, it was a dead match.
I'm just glad they are all (typically) available, at good prices.

Greg

I wasn't talking about the cannelured Varmint Nightmares, they are definitely Hornady's bullets, the non-cannelured VN Extremes are the Nosler brand bullets.

Ratsmacker: I read too fast, you did mention only the Nightmare "Extremes". Good to know...I hope Nosler stays as a supplier.

My father-in-law shot a groundhog his .223 AR-15 M4 carbine using the 55 gr Dogtowns with some RL-15 loaded behind them. The results were impressive as it gutted the groundhog and left entrails four ft. away. They work well but aren't a VMAX.

I have been looking into too both types of "bargain" bullets. I have a .204 that seems to have a lot of potential. The first load I tired (34g Vmax, starting load of H335, OAL right out of the book) will put 5 rounds in 1/2" at 100y. Or at least it did it 3 or 4 times. It is very clear that I am the weak link in the rifle-ammo-shooter tripod.

I need a lot of trigger time and until I can make up my mind on a .22 I want a way to get more trigger time in but for less then the V-maxs cost me.

If they are the close to the same that would be great.

so out the different types which would yall recommend for a .223 thanks

They worked pretty good for me after I sorted them by weight. Ya, that was fun, but there was a pretty extream spread in 500 bullets.

I've used all of Mid South's 22 caliber bullets and their 17 caliber when available..

all have been very accurate in both my 223s and 22.250s..
you might have to adjust your charge from your other favorite bullet..but they are a bargain in ratio to the other non bulk bullets..

the price of bullets shouldn't be this high as the price of the metals dropped dramatically... however all the bullet making companies are cleaning up right now, big time!