Thread: Bullet Choice on Hares

I've been shooting them with subs as well, shot placement definitely important. But also checking the numbers, the powerpoint has the same energy at 100m as the subsonic does at the muzzle. I've picked up some Aguila Intercepter 22lr to try for shots over 100m, 40gr bullet at 1400+ fps, zero for the subsonic is 60m and using the Interceptor, zero is 100m without touching the scope. My first holdover mark takes that to 120m, so will be trying it for the longer shots... that's if I don't take my 222 instead next time..

p.s. if you want a few packets of the old Aussie made Rabbit ammo to try (similar to PowerPoint?) I've got a few packets I could sell you - seems to shoot to same POI as the Powerpoint (Aussie one). $16 per packet...

Have you ever looked at box of .22lr and compared the hollow points??? Some full of wax,some half full some empty... All the nail does is clean it out and open it a bit more( or a lot of your so inclined) I don't use .22lr at hundy yards,infact I usually stick to under fifty,always have done so....the .12ga removes all doubt about hare dieing quickly under fourty yards and .223 or 22-250 over fifty out to maybe 300. My .22s get neglected as centre fire is just more fun but anytime I do use 22 stuff dies just fine. Try ten and make up your own mind,costs you nothing.

Can't say I've ever had an issue with hares or rabbit, other than bullets that didn't expand.
If you were gut shooting them, then you can expect issues.

I've had issues with different hollow points not expanding, basically a solid which unless you head shot them won't kill instantly.
The 38gr Eley Subs have been the best killing 22 bullet I've found recently, the 42gr Winchester was terrible for a while.

Or of course a bigger round, 17hmr, 22wmr, 223 etc, but unless you are shooting them 150yards away I don't think it's necessary.

Originally Posted by Rn-85

I like the idea of opening up the front of the projectile, but doesnt that reduct the weight of it?

With the moving to centrefire, nothing can be too dead, but it does up the cost of some fun spotlighting.



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There is a machinist in Auckland that has made a die that expands the hollow point on.22s. It doesn't remove material so weight is the same.

I have one, works good.

Originally Posted by akaroa1

I have a video somewhere of a hare I shot with my 9.3x62 and 300 grain Swift A frames
Seemed sufficient for the job at 50m

Farken 'el...

I hear and have it on good authority that .338LM works suitably well on hares too, suitably effective.

Solids are far superior to hollow point .22 ammo for hares. Hares are tough wee animals, and the expansion of HP's does severe wound damage without penetrating to the vitals resulting in slow painful deaths. Subsonic solids are the easiest to find (.22 target ammo) and work well giving quick humane kills. High speed solids give better range but are harder to find. Give them a try and see for yourselves.

I'm looking for a chance to try these on them next time. 55g RN .224 bullet, nose flattened with a small hollow point (using a small centre drill in the lathe), travelling at 1020 fps. Quieter than my 900 fps springer air rifle in a side by side comparison (son was shooting the air rifle), with the DPT suppressor on the rifle. Though now tempted to make some faster ones too, but pretty sure wouldn't want to exceed maybe 1800 fps.

Bullets are H&N 55gr RN, copper then polymer coated. The primer is the most expensive part of the cartridge, works out about 40c per shot.

Originally Posted by gundoc

Solids are far superior to hollow point .22 ammo for hares. Hares are tough wee animals, and the expansion of HP's does severe wound damage without penetrating to the vitals resulting in slow painful deaths. Subsonic solids are the easiest to find (.22 target ammo) and work well giving quick humane kills. High speed solids give better range but are harder to find. Give them a try and see for yourselves.

I've got some of these to try for the longer range shots next time I'm out with the 22lr. Sounds like they might be the go following your advice, if they are accurate enough. (I'll be trying them at the 100m range first) https://broncos.co.nz/ammunition/rim...rounds-1470fps

Cci Stingers were always my go to, as long as they grouped ok.

Nice choice of whisky there!: @bjp

Originally Posted by bjp

I'm looking for a chance to try these on them next time. 55g RN .224 bullet, nose flattened with a small hollow point (using a small centre drill in the lathe), travelling at 1020 fps. Quieter than my 900 fps springer air rifle in a side by side comparison (son was shooting the air rifle), with the DPT suppressor on the rifle. Though now tempted to make some faster ones too, but pretty sure wouldn't want to exceed maybe 1800 fps.

Bullets are H&N 55gr RN, copper then polymer coated. The primer is the most expensive part of the cartridge, works out about 40c per shot.

Attachment 266944

Guy I know used to do something similar with 180gr round nose .308 pills, the exposed lead on the round nose used to pretty much go straight through without expanding but open them up with a small center drill and the cavity and 45deg front end meant the things pealed open like nothing else. They were awesome sub pills, came out around 172gr or so I think after the front end was opened up to the jacket? Superseded now by better designed sub pills that don't require as much rework...

Originally Posted by No.3

Guy I know used to do something similar with 180gr round nose .308 pills, the exposed lead on the round nose used to pretty much go straight through without expanding but open them up with a small center drill and the cavity and 45deg front end meant the things pealed open like nothing else. They were awesome sub pills, came out around 172gr or so I think after the front end was opened up to the jacket? Superseded now by better designed sub pills that don't require as much rework...

Thanks, good to know I might be on the right track... I'll let you know how they get on, might be awhile before I get the chance to use them though

It is not .22 but I use a 17HMR on them and they never hop away......

The Browning 22 ammo went good in my jw15, 40 grain bullets at about 1400 fps. Kills hares no problem out to at least 100 yards.

I found a 3"12guage 34gm load at approx 15m range is a very effect ,if somewhat messy stopper .dont blame me I was stalking this guys cuzzy when he comes screaming in at high speed -hits anchors ,sits and looks ........rest was very bloody messy!tThe old yellow packet winchester in my original stirling .22 was bloody deadly onrabbits possums and hares!
in fact I can vividly remeber 3x possums who ended up with massive blowout holes in ribcages from this ammo.no possum guts&blood is not good firearm lube or bloody skin conditioner ,nor did my dog ewnjoy his "bath"