Speer Boolit Statement- Curious Minds Wants to Know...

[Silvercrow1]

Learning more and more about reloading and developing some really decent loads for my .223 Rem. and .308 Win.

I recently bought a partial box of .224 Speer 55 Gr. Hollow Point "TNT's for my .223. Speer states on the bottom front of the box "Designed for 22-250 Rem. and 220 Swift Cartridges". Why they say this? I know they will work in my .223; but why optimized for 22-250 and 220 Swift. Do they expand in these calibers better? I imagine any optimization is internal but being relatively new, I just don't know. Thanks for any insight....

Brian

[scope eye]

They don't have a lot of "bearing surface" and need more velocity to compensate. that is going by they old school thought, when most 223 came with 12 twists.

Dean

[Luke45]

normal speer .223 cal TNT bullets have a velocity limit of 3400. if you load them higher, speer says thay may come apart in air. If the box says made for 22-250 and 220 swift, im assuming it means its a special TNT that was made to have a higher threshold velocity. so a TNT made for a 22-250 may not be quite as explosive in a 223, just get the standard TNT bullets that have 3400 fps limit, it should say right on the box.

[the Ranger]

thicker jacket probably, may not open up as real well at lower speeds. I'd save them for paper punchin' loads. should shoot just fine.

[Luke45]

thicker jacket probably, may not open up as real well at lower speeds. I'd save them for paper punchin' loads. should shoot just fine.
+1 to this

[ShowMeShooter]

what is the twist rate of your barrel?
this is a consideration too.
on the TnT with the 3400 fps limit they also say on the box for twist rate 1:10 or slower.

[Silvercrow1]

INTERESTING! Thanks fellas! My .223 is an early 90s model. Believe it or not, it is a 1:14 twist! For a long time I thought it was a 1:12 which I guess was pretty standard at one time. But a local reputable smith told me it was a 1:14. Skeptical, I had just purchased a good cleaning rod. He told me what to do...and sure enough...

Having said that, with 50 and 55 Gn. bullets it is VERY accurate. I have not tried heavier bullets but was told that I'd need a 1:10 or better (faster) to stabilize the 60+ Gn. bullets.

I will keep those TNTs for paper punching. DRAT! Was hoping to blow up some little defenseless critters this spring with 'em! Oh well; I got a good stock of .224 V-max in 50 and 55 Grain bullets.

Brian

[ShowMeShooter]

I have a .223 1:12 twist that just loves the 50gn TNT. I have shot gobs of critters with them. Coyotes hate em, fur buyers love them. tiny little hole in with no exit. I can't remember ever having an exit hole, even on 2 bobcats.

[Jetpig]

They have the need for speed!

[Silvercrow1]

I have a .223 1:12 twist that just loves the 50gn TNT. I have shot gobs of critters with them. Coyotes hate em, fur buyers love them. tiny little hole in with no exit. I can't remember ever having an exit hole, even on 2 bobcats.

GOOD TO KNOW! I'm planning on doing some predator hunting as the weather gets better. I only have 49 of these bullets- bought a partial. IF I get a good quick load development on 'em, I may pick off a groundhog just to see how they preform. Thanks for the info!

Brian

[ShowMeShooter]

no problem