Hi Ben,
Thank you for the info. I am not sure I understand what the graph is saying? Can you explain it to me? Also, does the graph show bullet drop differences at 200 and 300 yards?
The way I shoot at long distances I need all the help I can get. :-) I shot my first groundhog monday at 300 yards and I missed him a few times before I got him. Got no excuses...was using a Harris Bi-Pod and my .17 Fireball. Gonna have to get my but to the range and practice, practice, practice, at 300 yards.
In truth I don't shoot beyond 50 yards at night with the fireball. However, if I get a bolt .223 it will probably become my groundhog gun and be used at night in areas where I only target coyotes. I will probably shoot out to 100 at a coyote at night but 300+ at coyotes in the day and groundhogs.
Still confused on what bullet I should use. I spoke with Hornady and they told me not to use their 75 grain bthp match on critters cause they don't test the bullet for expansion. However, endless searching has resulted in a fairly consistent very positve report from every post I have read on guys across the country who have used the bullets on coyotes and deer. Hornady recommended I use their 70 grain gmx for a heavy game bullet.
I do not want to use the .223 for fox with a reduced load because I don't think a reduced load is optimal for a gun and would worry about shooting a coyote with it. I'll continue to use the .17 Fireball for a combo gun for fox and coyote.
Open to whatever you or anyone else has for bullet suggestions or food for thought.
If you have a ballistic program and can run the info. on my .17 Rem Fireball for the below I'd appreciate it.
H322 17.80 grs
Remington 7 1/2 Small Rifle Primers
Remington Brass
25 Grain Berger Target Match Bullet
Velocity approximately 3,500 fps
24" barrel