I seem to recall one or more threads a few years back indicating that the 70 grain GMX bullet was prone to shedding petals against some types of target(auto windshield glass, game animals IIRC), problem which did not/does not supposedly afflict the 55gr version. Have done several searches, but can’t find said thread/s. Am curious about anyone’s recent (say last two years) experience with the 70 gr GMX and whether that bullet is or isn’t displaying that tendency.
Dang, I was hoping this thread would take off, I’ve been intrigued by this load for a while. I bought some, but haven’t fired any at all.
I shot a couple of (Whitetail) does at the ranch a month+ ago with BH 5.56 70 gr. GMX.
The apparent terminal performance was impressive; neither went more than 20 yds after the shot. I did not bother retrieving the bullet, so can’t comment on “petals shearing off”.
Thanks. Like Brett, I’m following this thread closely.
I have 300rds of the BH 5.56 loading. Cost an arm and a leg. Haven’t shot anything with it though, so also following this thread closely.
I see ABNAK & gaijin bought BH, do you guys see it as a better choice than the Hornady TAP load?
I went with BHs simply due to it being a known quantity.
Have always had good luck with BHs.
I would give the Hornady a try too.
They produce some good ammo and components.
Yeah, pretty much the same reason as gaijin. BH is known for quality and I didn’t see the Hornady loading available at the time.
I have taken several FL hogs with 70gr GMX TAP from my 11.5" suppressed rig. Outstanding round. Not a significantly different result on sub-200lb FL hog from my Tikka T3 .308 firing Federal Trophy Bonded Tip 165gr. I’ve killed enough animals with it that I don’t give a flying F**k how many petals it sheds; it creates violent, deep wound channels and stops game extremely well.
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Buford, thanks much. The round’s use through a 16", 18", or 20" barrel is of most interest to me. Have you had an opportunity to use it through those length barrels and, if so, what results did you observe?
I took one hog with my 16" BRT Optimum intermediate-gas barrel’d upper (also suppressed). Same effect. Quarter sized entry wound (no neck), large hole in cartilage plate, larger hole in the bone behind cart plate, bone fragments and minced meat formed a large (for caliber) permanent wound cavity that…though it tapered…extends the length of the wound channel. Exit wound was larger than a silver dollar…with “guts” and bone fragments blown all over the saw palmettos behind the hog. But that’s the same description for every kill with this round. Only other round that performs (essentially identically) is the 62gr Federal TBBC in the XM556FBIT3 loading, from the same guns.
Cleaning the hogs revealed both rounds to have an essentially true wound track as far as I could recall the original trajectory of the bullet.
I’m significantly less concerned with recovering a bullet than I am the animal. I’ve so far recovered 100% of my animals (with either DRT results, or a “track” of less than 30 feet) and 0% of my bullets…and I’m totally happy with that.
Buford, have you used the 55gr GMX on hogs? Curious, if you have, if you noticed any difference in penetration between the 55gr & 70gr?
Great, detailed, useful info. Thanks very much.
Yes I have. Not much, honestly. Both exited. Possibly fewer bone fragments from the sholder blade.
I still prefer the 70gr but I have some of each. The 55gr GMX I used was 5.56 NATO pressure Superformance. Felt very similar to the 70gr TAP as both are true 5.56 NATO pressure loads and you can feel it.
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Happy to help.
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Thanks for the info. I have 70gr TAP, 55gr TAP IN .223, and some of the Superformance 55gr that I think is 5.56, and a hog hunt next month in SC. I just gotta decide which load to zero with before heading south.
If I go with the 70gr, I’ll post results, if I have any luck.
Post results with whatever you choose. The Superformance is offered in SAAMI pressure and NATO pressure, just FYI.
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If oldtexan would be OK that, I will, but I don’t want to derail his thread. Is that fine by you, tex?
Buford, what ranges have you been shooting hogs at w/ GMX bullets. I only bought 70gr because I thought it could be better at long ranges. 55gr ought to be decent inside 300yds, I’d think.
Man, the pressure is on. I better see lots of hogs, and damn sure I’d better not miss:o
Brett Kastl, thanks for asking. No problem here. I’d be interested in that info, too.
Thanks. Hopefully I’ll get a shot at a hog large enough to truly test the bullet, most are 125lbs or under, tough to recover a bullet after shooting one that size.