![Heavy Bullets in the .223 Remington](https://magarticles.magzter.com/articles/7146/659233/60b7799a055d8/Heavy-Bullets-in-the-223-Remington.jpg)
For many years, shooting an older Savage Model 110 bolt action chambered in .223 Remington with classic 1:12 rifling, I shot little else but 40-grain polymer-tipped bullets. I found the sharp-tipped 40 grainers ideal for the slower rifling twist and capable of easily picking off tiny ground squirrels and prairie dogs out to 300/350 yards. To make longer shots, I reached for my .22-250 Remington and shot 50-grain poly tipped bullets. For a time I questioned why anyone would shoot traditional 50/55-grain bullets from any .223 while targeting burrowing rodents, handicapping efforts with slower velocities.
Years later I acquired a Remington Model 700 VTR-SS – used for testing here. The distinctive 22-inch triangular barrel with integral muzzle-brake slots and a 1:9 twist cooled quickly given any amount of wind, and provided commendable accuracy. The VTR shot my standard 40grain .223 Remington loads quite well, but there came the day when I experienced a particularly breezy day during a rockchuck shoot in southern Idaho. The wind initiated some pretty serious drift frustrations while shooting standard weight varmint bullets.
This story is from the Varmint Rifles & Cartridges - Spring 2021 edition of Rifle.
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This story is from the Varmint Rifles & Cartridges - Spring 2021 edition of Rifle.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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CIMARRON .32-20 Short Rifle & Carbine
In the heyday of Winchester Repeating Arms Company lever guns, it offered muskets, standard rifles, short rifles and saddle ring carbines.
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Remington's Model 722 and .222 Cartridge
It's easy enough to define what a varmint is, those pesky critters that tear up pastures, flower beds and all kinds of expensive crops people need for various reasons - most importantly, to make a living and/or something with which to feed themselves.
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Coyote Bullets
What is Best for You?
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Remington's 5mm Rimfire Magnum
Shooting a Classic
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Winchester's New Wildcat
The Ultralight Rimfire Varmint Rifle
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.223 Remington from .30-30 Winchester?
Multitasking for Varmints
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LOADS FOR A .22 TCM
The .22 TCM first appeared commercially in 2012, chambered in a Rock Island Armory 1911-style handgun.
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Everybody Loves Velocity
The 4,500-fps WSSM Project
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A BOLT-ACTION FRANCHI 224 VALKYRIE
Testing New Loads
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.22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire
Shooting Revolvers