Thread: Most destructive 223 varmint projectile ?

Originally Posted by StrikerNZ

The FMJs will mostly kill, but you'll tear your hair out trying to figure them out. Based on my experience, FMJ is not a good option for any live game, even rabbits. I shot over 500 rabbits in around a month last year with PMC brand 55gr FMJs. (Just what I was given to use, but I told him after not to order any more)

Maybe 20% of hits were convincing messy 'dropped jam jar' type hits. Usually these were ones that contacted the spine on entry - shooting downwards onto the rabbit from a hillside, or hitting it in the back as it faced away.

Another 20% would just drop dead when hit. Fine, no issues there. These were more often 'end-on' chest shots.

Now for the less than ideal -

While a roughish guess, I would say that around 40%, when hit, simply run off with almost no indication of actually having been hit. I had a guy watching through binos when we picked off 80 in an afternoon and he reported that the vast majority of these rabbits that ran off had been solid chest or shoulder shots. (Obviously just not breaking legs) These rabbits would easily run 100m plus, over the ridges and out of sight. I'm sure they died, but how quickly I don't know. Many of these I would have said the shot felt right and should have been a hit, but watching the rabbit run away I was prepared to accept failure until he told me he'd seen the hit perfectly in the chest.

Over time I could start to pick if the hit had been good or not, just by watching the rabbit run away and following a mental checklist. A lot of guesswork though.
- Did the shot feel good.
- Did the hit sound right.
- Does the rabbit look like it wants to pause, but keep running ("ouch, keep moving")

The final 20%, when hit, often with a leg hanging off or an obvious bleed, would not die quickly. Many requiring at least one follow up shot if practical. I remember one that I shot from 200m in a wee clay pan, clean chest shot dropped it on the spot and I could see the entry wound on the shoulder through the scope. 10 minutes later when walking by I stepped closer for a look, only to have it try to push itself away with its back legs while squealing.

Please use something more suitable than FMJ for rabbits..

FMJs will see you using more ammo for the same task.
FMJs will see you frustrated because you can't hit anything, when really you're connecting.

What twist rate were you using?