Talking with a couple guys this week got me wondering about 22LR bullet designs and doing a little research (with little to be found). Basically in a nut shell we were talking about why we dont see new designs being released for the 22LR. Over the past few years we have seen success with the 17HMR and 22WMR as far as more "modern" bullets. Obviously this wouldnt interest everyone shooting a 22LR. Sure I love buying cheap ammo like thousands of other guys and gals to plink with. But I for one would definitely be interested in some tipped, BT or more aerodynamic bullets. I was curious your guys opinions on this. Why it would or wouldnt work? Why we havent seen it? If we will in your opinion? based on your experience what you would like to see released? What is a realistic possibilty to possibly fill this void in the market? obviously ammo manufactures know what they are doing and there is some great 22LR ammo readily avilable. So I am sure I am not the first to mull this idea over. I did do some comparisons on 40 GR .224 bullets. This is the difference in advertised BC as it transitions from the round nose style bullet (similar to many 22LR bullets) to the type of bullet most of us like to use for accuracy.
- Sierra Varminter Bullets 2(224 Diameter) 40 Grain Jacketed Soft Point (this design is similar to some 22LR bullets - BC .116
- Sierra Varminter Bullets 22 Caliber (224 Diameter) 40 Grain Hollow Point (same bullet as above but with more aerodynamic HP) - BC .155
- Nosler Varmageddon Bullets 22 Caliber (224 Diameter) 40 Grain Tipped Flat Base (modern design with polymer tip) - BC .211
- Nosler Ballistic Tip Varmint Bullets 22 Caliber (224 Diameter) 40 Grain Spitzer Boat Tail (polymer tip with BT) BC .221
- Hornady Z-Max Bullets 22 Caliber (224 Diameter) 50 Grain Boat Tail (A little heavier but still something many 22LR shooters would be interested in) BC .242
-Hornady A-Max Bullets 22 Caliber (224 Diameter) 52 Grain Boat Tail BC .247
I am not assuming all of the above designs would work in a 22LR just using them as figures to illistrate how BC goes up (as most of us know) with little changes. All of the figures I got were advertised BCs from Midway. So what are your thoughts?
- Sierra Varminter Bullets 2(224 Diameter) 40 Grain Jacketed Soft Point (this design is similar to some 22LR bullets - BC .116
- Sierra Varminter Bullets 22 Caliber (224 Diameter) 40 Grain Hollow Point (same bullet as above but with more aerodynamic HP) - BC .155
- Nosler Varmageddon Bullets 22 Caliber (224 Diameter) 40 Grain Tipped Flat Base (modern design with polymer tip) - BC .211
- Nosler Ballistic Tip Varmint Bullets 22 Caliber (224 Diameter) 40 Grain Spitzer Boat Tail (polymer tip with BT) BC .221
- Hornady Z-Max Bullets 22 Caliber (224 Diameter) 50 Grain Boat Tail (A little heavier but still something many 22LR shooters would be interested in) BC .242
-Hornady A-Max Bullets 22 Caliber (224 Diameter) 52 Grain Boat Tail BC .247
I am not assuming all of the above designs would work in a 22LR just using them as figures to illistrate how BC goes up (as most of us know) with little changes. All of the figures I got were advertised BCs from Midway. So what are your thoughts?