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I have spent a while now developing a good load for my .222 and at last I think I am there using Hornady 52g A-Max heads powered by 18.5 grains of Hodgdons H4198 and ballancing it up to the best OAL for my rifle. I went out the other evening to try the ammunition at "longer than my normal ranges" and came across a rabbit sat eating about 220 yards away from me on a bank. this seemed to be the perfect opportunity to try the rifle and ammunition at a reasonable range! From the prone position and with the rifle on the bipod I aimed directly at the rabbit (No holdover at all!) and gently squeezed of the shot. The rabbit dropped on the spot so I went to retrieve it. On arrival I was extremely surprised at exactly how much damage the 52g A-Max had done! The bullet had literally emptied the rabbit of most of it's entrails leaving bits of it's liver etc spread about 2 feet behind where it dropped and had continued into the banking behind it never to be found again. Now that I have gained so much confidence in the rounds that I have developed for my .222 I am planning on getting out with the video camera one evening and trying some longer range head shot rabbits. Please note carefully that this is vermin control and not shooting for the pot so meat damage does not come into it! The first photo is not meant to be "glorifying death" in any way, it is simply to show the sheer devestation and trauma that a Hornady 52g A-Max can cause! The first photo shows the devestation/destruction that the 52g A-Max has caused. The second photo was taken from where the rabbit died facing down to where the shot was taken from which is marked with a black spot - Members who I have taken on this permission will recognise the fields and be able to confirm that the distance was at least 220 yards!