I’m setting up my .223 Rem (1-8 twist) for my youngest daughter to learn & play with. Wanted to stock up on a few bullets that could transition her into medium game. I know how well the 55gr Horn SP works but noticed that Speer makes a 70gr SP that I know nothing about. Wanted to get opinions & experiences.
Also, any other bullets I should be looking at for the same purpose would be welcomed.
Parameters: Deer under 200 maybe pigs but lots of targets and rocks.
For general big game use inside 200 yards, I would go with the 70g Speer.
The first .22 Centerfire deer I ever killed was 40 years ago with the 70g Speer 22-250 handload from a then new Browning B-78 in 22-250 with a 1-14" twist. It was big whitetail doe quartering away at a trot. At the shot she ran a few steps wobbled and tipped over. The range was about 150 yards and it raked trough the last rib and wound up in the offside shoulder.
The big issue back then was most .22 centerfires(including the .223 rifles) has barrels twisted no faster than 1-12" . 70g bullets were long for caliber so Speer designed their bullet with a short rounded nose tor stabilization .As I recall, I was using H380 and got consistent 1" three shot groups at 100 yards from that load. I only used it that few times more on game but none required more than one shot . From then on all my .22 centerfire deer were dropped with whatever varmint load was in my .22-250 at the time and about a dozen other deer fell to various 50 - 55g Varmint or Match bullets placed very precisely in the neck or lungs with shots no longer than 200 yards. The Sierra and Hornady 52/53g Match HP bullets are tough enough they seem to do very consistent work with lung shots on deer. IMHO, when you use a rifle that small on deer bullet placement (neck or broadside lung shots) is key.
I just bought a Winchester XPR .223 bolt gun with a 1-8 twist. I have been mulling over what larger bullets to use for long range and bigger game. The 70 to 80g match type bullets are at the top of the list BUT if I was shooting 200 yards and under and wanted the most forgiving bullet in terms of placement (especially on hogs) I do think I would go with that 70g Speer hands down . In the new faster twist barrels they will be as good as ever. They are still made still available and pretty inexpensive at around $15 per 100 -
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1010619848?pid=126472
