skydiver386
AH elite
- Joined
- Oct 18, 2023
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- South Africa, Ohio, Florida, Wyoming, Arizona
I didn't want to derail the thread on taking a 22mag or 22Hornet to Africa, but I wanted input on a few ideas for a Tiny Ten cartridge.
I've thought a long time about what would make the best Tiny Ten and night hunting cartridge. I have extensive experience with the 22mag as it was my first rifle. I never shot anything with that 22mag that I had to shoot twice! I always kept shots within 150 yards though.
The issue with both the 22mag and 22 Hornet is bullet selection and performance past 200 yards.
What we need is something that can kill, but not maim. A round that can be used for animals from 5-50 pounds, at close range to possibly 300 yards. A clean humane kill, with minimal pelt damage is the goal.
Thinking along those lines, the .257 Copperhead/Kimber, the 7mm TCU and the .300 Blackout might be the answer to our needs. However, each presents some problems.
Properly head stamped brass matching the stamp on the barrel when going through some African countries might be an issue, as the Copperhead and TCU have no current supplies of brass or ammo. Though all 3 are based on the 223/222mag case, only the 300BLK has brass and factory ammo available.
This cartridge makes the most sense as it is currently very popular, especially in suppressed firearms. Barrels, brass, loaded ammo, and reloading dies are easy to find. Data is also common in most modern loading manuals.
With 110 and 125 grain supersonic ammo, the 300BLK would be suitable for anything up to Impala. Velocities 2500fps and below would minimize pelt damage on Klipspringer and small Duikers. Factory loads with 150-220 grain bullets at subsonic speeds through a suppressor make for a superb night hunting combination.
Almost any .308dia bullet of any design including fmj, machined brass and copper solids, etc. could be used to minimize expansion or expand violently depending on the intended target animal.
I have personal experience with the 300Fireball, the predecessor to the 300BLK, in a 1/7 twist barrel shooting Sierra 240gr BTHP Match King bullets at 950fps through a suppressor. This was a ton of fun, and I believe once you shoot it, you'll want one.
"Once you hear the THWACK, you never go back" I say.
The downside to the 300BLK with subsonic bullets over 200 grains is the rainbow like trajectory. Shots with anything going 1100fps should be kept to 100 yards in my opinion, thus the consideration of the faster 25Copperhead and 7mmTCU.
I have a Tiny Ten hunt scheduled, and a T/F Contender carbine barrel would be an easy way to put this to the test.
Having only hunted Steinbok and Grey Duiker, my experience with the Tinies is minimal, so I'd enjoy input from others here.
I've thought a long time about what would make the best Tiny Ten and night hunting cartridge. I have extensive experience with the 22mag as it was my first rifle. I never shot anything with that 22mag that I had to shoot twice! I always kept shots within 150 yards though.
The issue with both the 22mag and 22 Hornet is bullet selection and performance past 200 yards.
What we need is something that can kill, but not maim. A round that can be used for animals from 5-50 pounds, at close range to possibly 300 yards. A clean humane kill, with minimal pelt damage is the goal.
Thinking along those lines, the .257 Copperhead/Kimber, the 7mm TCU and the .300 Blackout might be the answer to our needs. However, each presents some problems.
Properly head stamped brass matching the stamp on the barrel when going through some African countries might be an issue, as the Copperhead and TCU have no current supplies of brass or ammo. Though all 3 are based on the 223/222mag case, only the 300BLK has brass and factory ammo available.
This cartridge makes the most sense as it is currently very popular, especially in suppressed firearms. Barrels, brass, loaded ammo, and reloading dies are easy to find. Data is also common in most modern loading manuals.
With 110 and 125 grain supersonic ammo, the 300BLK would be suitable for anything up to Impala. Velocities 2500fps and below would minimize pelt damage on Klipspringer and small Duikers. Factory loads with 150-220 grain bullets at subsonic speeds through a suppressor make for a superb night hunting combination.
Almost any .308dia bullet of any design including fmj, machined brass and copper solids, etc. could be used to minimize expansion or expand violently depending on the intended target animal.
I have personal experience with the 300Fireball, the predecessor to the 300BLK, in a 1/7 twist barrel shooting Sierra 240gr BTHP Match King bullets at 950fps through a suppressor. This was a ton of fun, and I believe once you shoot it, you'll want one.
"Once you hear the THWACK, you never go back" I say.
The downside to the 300BLK with subsonic bullets over 200 grains is the rainbow like trajectory. Shots with anything going 1100fps should be kept to 100 yards in my opinion, thus the consideration of the faster 25Copperhead and 7mmTCU.
I have a Tiny Ten hunt scheduled, and a T/F Contender carbine barrel would be an easy way to put this to the test.
Having only hunted Steinbok and Grey Duiker, my experience with the Tinies is minimal, so I'd enjoy input from others here.
