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PA_Bob Offline OP
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Looking to develop a groundhog load for my 8 twist AR (5.56 NATO). I've broken it in with 77 gr match ammo, and like the concept of heavier bullets, but don't want crawl-offs. Any recommendations for a heavier frangible for this duty? Any suggestions for over 60 gr bullets, even HP match bullets that will 'splode inside a PA whistle pig?

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Any reason you want heavier bullets? If range and BC aren’t an issue you’ll get more explosive results with lighter bullets traveling faster. The 8 twist is a non issue, I’ve never seen one that wouldn’t shoot light bullets due to twist.

Any of the 40-55gr Varmageddon, Vmax, Ballistic tip, poly tipped varmint bullets with give dramatic results at close to medium ranges.

If you’re stretching the range the 77TMKs have been impressive in their terminal performance for me. They do not behave like varmint bullets however as they tend to expand and penetrate deeply as opposed to coming completely apart.

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If range is not too long the 60gr V-Max is amazing!!
If you are stretching it long the 75gr A-Max comes apart at any distance

I don’t think Hornady any longer makes the A-Max don’t know if the ELD-M acts the same??

Last edited by boatanchor; 02/11/20.
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Range is 75-200 yds. I've got representative varmint bullets from 36 (Barnes VG) to 70 gr (Speer semi-spizter) and match bullets in 69 and 77 gr varieties. I can certainly experiment with 55, 60/62 and the 70 gr varmint bullets and go from there.

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60 gr. NBT


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I always liked 50gr. VMaxes and Blitzkings when prairie dogging, they worked well enough for me. I think the 55 VMax would work equally well.


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since your max range is 200 yards I'd focus on 50 to 60 grain poly tip varmint bullets. 50 grain vmax and Nosler BT would be my choice .

you will see much more damage at those ranges with light varmint bullets

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53GR V-MAX Unless you want to skin-em for the hide.


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I shoot the 75 eldm from Hornady out of my 8 twist 22-250 it very very explosive on our western version, Rockchucks out to 500 yards.

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That sounds great, probably 2-300 fps faster than my 16 inch barrel. I've got beef cattle grazing another 3-400 yds away so there is the ricochet issue as well. I've considered my .243 and 22-250 for this job but that is really the safety aspect of it. There is a 30+ pounder about 125 yds from my back stoop, looks like a Basset Hound lumbering around in the pasture...probably old enough to drive.

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Originally Posted by PA_Bob
Looking to develop a groundhog load for my 8 twist AR (5.56 NATO). I've broken it in with 77 gr match ammo, and like the concept of heavier bullets, but don't want crawl-offs. Any recommendations for a heavier frangible for this duty? Any suggestions for over 60 gr bullets, even HP match bullets that will 'splode inside a PA whistle pig?


I was getting under half inch 5 shot groups with the 60 grain VMAX and Benchmark from a stock Ruger MPR. My current MPR shoots almost that well with Nosler's factory 60 grain Ballistic Tip load. IMHO those beat any of the heavier bullets constructed for target use or hunting game.

I would also consider the 53 grain VMAX or the 55 grain TNT ... I have pushed the TNTs hard out of my Ruger's 1-8" twist w/o any bullet failures.

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I load 62 Barnes for mine. Kills hell out of 200 lb pigs. They should kill a ground hog.

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73 gr ELDM. Made to fit AR length mags.


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For 'sploding chucks, the 60 VMax will work great.

If you get that big one, take a picture. Biggest I've ever seen was 22 pounds.

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For 75-200 yard groundhogs, may I suggest the 40 grain Berger HP? Super accurate in both my 9" twist AR and 12" twist Browning Low Wall .223 and the couple 'hogs that encountered it last year were dealt horrific injuries. That close of a distance I feel doesn't warrant the expenditure of heavy long high BC bullets to be effective. Frangibility is more important, IMO, and that deep hollow cavity in the 40 grain Berger at 3400-3500 fps MV delivers that.


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40 grain ballistic tip or 53 grain sierra matchking.

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My Black Hole barrel loves 53 V-Maxes. I wish it loved 73 ELDM's, but it don't......

I've not shot anything with the 53's, but I've heard they're pretty "soft". They do have a high BC for their weight, which ain't a bad thing.

65 grain Sierra Gamekings shot well for me also and might fit more into your weight requirement.


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