Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Hornady 60 gr SP and HP

I'm curious about the performance of the 22 cal hornady 60 gr SP and HP at 223 and 22-250 velocities. I know some guys use them for deer but I wondered which was the tougher of the two and how they compared to the performance of the 63 grain sierra smp and also the 55 grain hornady sp w/c.

My thoughts are a general purpose predator and deer bullet for my 22s and I wonder how the 60 grain hornadys stack up.

Thanks for the input

I have used the 55 gr. sp w/c and the 60 grain sp......both to good effect.

Cant speak for the others but the 63 gr. Sierra SMP is a Campfire Favorite.


Scenarshooter here killed more game with a .220 Swift and the 55 Grain Hornady than most of us will ever see.


I lean towards the 55s simply because they work well, and can be had at great prices in bulk.

Thanks Ingwe,

I have used both the 55 hornady and the 63 smp in the past and really like them both. Personally I like the 63 better for game but maybe that is just because I have more experience with it.

I was thinking that the 60 grain hornadys would be a good compromise between the two, or maybe even stay together better than the 63 smp. Also the price is really good.

I didn't know Pat used the 55 a bunch, I always see his 308 and 6.5 posts but it is obvious he puts his stuff to the test and knows what he is talking about.

Thanks for the input

The Hornady 60SP is what we have used on deer from a 223. It will break a shoulder and still penetrate a bit if that is what you need. It usually exits on broadside shots.

I have used the 60gr SP on two deer and a BUNCH of hogs out of a .223.

Both deer were does, the hogs have all varied from small to about 200 lbs. Except for a couple of large hogs at short range I have always gotten an exit. Have yet to lose an animal.

I really like the 60gr. I load it in front of TAC and get tiny, tiny groups.

Bill

thanks guys, those are the kind of reports I want to hear.
Keep 'em coming

I like both bullets and have used them a good bit in my 223 and 22-250 on deer. The 60 gr. HP was originally brought out as a bullet to be used on deer, this being mentioned in the early Hornady manuals. I can't say though that it actually is a tougher bullet than the soft nose version. I did kill a nice ten point with the HP a couple of years ago. He was hit halfway back in the ribs and the bullet ended up under the hide after penetrating the shoulder blade. Range was 80 yards and starting velocity 3300 fps.

I have a preference for the 60 grain SP Hornady....no down side to it.. especially how accurate it is.. does very well out of a 22.250 also...even at longer ranges...

in the HP world, I just have a preference for Sierra's 60 grain HP... can't say any other reason besides it was the first of the two HPs in 60 grains I have used... its very accurate for sure and flat shooting...

but I still am a lover of the 63 SMP Sierra and the often overlooked 70 grain Sierra SMP...even more... for deer sized game..

70g Sierra SMP???

I have used both the HP and the SP in Hornady 60 gr in a 22-250 for prairie dogs. Both worked fine for me.

duh, 70 grain SPEER SMP....

my bad....

the 60 gr hornady sp is an excellent pill--one of my very favorites for deer, whether launched in a swift, 22-250, .223, or .222 rem. i also use the 55 hornady sp.

the 60 gr hornady hp is a very tough bullet--just like the 53 gr hornady hp. i consider the 53 hornady hp the very best coyote pill i've ever used, and the 60 gr hp is also excellent medicine for swatting those wiley yipper dogs.

hornady originally offered the 60 gr hornady hp as a game bullet. in my opinion, it is not a good pill for game--in effect, acting "somewhat similar" to a fmj pill--definitely not what you want for deer...

if you're looking to kill deer and yotes with the same pill--i'd go the 55 or 60 gr hornady sp.

Dude270: I've used the Hornady 60 gr. Spire Point in my .220 Swift to shoot 3-4 whitetails that probably dressed out about 110-125# at shots from around 50-125 yds. Good penetration to off side: all one shot kills. Don't know what muzzle velocity but right up to snuff. I'd use them again with no hesitation.

See how the 60s shoot in your rifle before committing to them as a general purpose bullet. My .223, an early Model 7, has never liked that weight and only gives 2" groups. It's good enough accuracy for deer and my son used it to kill his first with a 60 gr. Partition. But, for general purpose, I had to go down to 50 grains to get good accuracy.

Jan 2 2010 fawn for the freezer taken with the Horn 60 grn HP. Killed it dead quickly.

60 gr. Horn kill....223

The 60 Partition does not shoot as accurately in a 12 twist as the Hornady and Sierra 60 grainers. Give those brands a go in your Seven and you'll find a world of difference.

Thanks for the tip. I wondered if the 18" barrel might not give enough velocity to fully stabilize 60 gr. It loves the Hornady 50 gr. SP.

Yes, it seems that Nosler could quite easily make a 55 grain Partition and solve the problems, but they don't seem to want to do that over the years.