Published: 2024 | Last updated: June 2026
Introduction
Speer introduced the TNT (a name, not an acronym for the explosive) from its Lewiston, Idaho facility in the 1990s, positioning it as a purpose-built varmint fragmentation bullet with a distinctive design approach that genuinely differentiates it from the polymer-tipped competitors covered elsewhere in this site’s varmint bullet series. The TNT has no polymer tip – it uses a traditional jacketed hollow-point design with a small, precision-formed meplat, a long ogive, a thin copper jacket, and what Speer specifically calls “internal fluting” to promote complete and rapid bullet disruption on impact.
That internal fluting claim is worth verifying directly given how this series has previously had to distinguish genuine engineering features from marketing language. Multiple independent sources, including Speer’s own product page, retailer technical descriptions, and field review accounts, consistently use identical language: “thin precision jacket with internal fluting and dead-soft lead core” to ensure complete bullet disruption. This is a real, documented construction feature – internal grooves or cuts inside the jacket that weaken specific points and direct fragmentation in a controlled pattern – not simply a vague marketing claim.
This site’s varmint bullet coverage now encompasses six bullets across two construction categories: polymer-tipped lead-core designs (V-MAX, BlitzKing, Varmageddon) and the TNT as the primary untipped hollow-point alternative, alongside the lead-free NTX and zinc-core Winchester Varmint X Lead-Free covered in their own articles. For trajectory context on the cartridges most commonly paired with this bullet, see the 223 Remington ballistics guide, 22-250 Remington ballistics guide, and 204 Ruger ballistics guide. Understanding where the TNT fits within this field matters: without a polymer tip, the TNT relies on the hollow-point cavity and internal fluting alone to initiate fragmentation, making it somewhat more velocity-dependent than the tipped designs and giving it a different ballistic profile from the nose forward that typically produces lower BCs at the same weight and caliber than a comparable tipped bullet.
A data quality note before examining the specifications: the original article’s comparison BC ranges for all three competitor bullets are inconsistent with this site’s own dedicated coverage of those products. The original cites V-MAX at 0.100-0.400 (this site’s V-MAX article documents 0.200-0.365 from the actual table values), BlitzKing at 0.120-0.390 (this site’s BlitzKing article documents 0.145-0.270), and Varmageddon at 0.150-0.410 (this site’s Varmageddon article documents 0.140-0.265). All three comparison figures appear inflated relative to the source-primary figures, consistent with the cross-source discrepancy pattern this series has now documented repeatedly across multiple comparison articles.
A second data note: the original article’s stated caliber range of “.224 to .308 inches” is correct per independent sourcing – Speer genuinely does produce TNT bullets in .308 caliber (125-grain at BC 0.341, per Speer’s own website). However, the original article’s ballistics table tops out at .284-inch (7mm) and includes no .308-inch entry. Additionally, independent sourcing confirms a .204-inch and a .277-inch offering not present in the original table. These appear to be omissions in the source material rather than fabricated calibers, and this rewrite notes them explicitly.
Disclaimer: Reloading is an inherently dangerous activity. Always consult current published load data from reputable sources (Speer, Hodgdon, Hornady) before loading any cartridge. Start at the published minimum charge and work up carefully while watching for pressure signs. Never exceed maximum published loads. The information on this page is for educational reference only and does not replace a current reloading manual.
Technical Characteristics
Thin copper jacket with internal fluting: This is the TNT’s defining construction feature, verified as a genuine engineering design across multiple independent sources. The thin jacket promotes rapid initial deformation on impact, while the internal fluting – grooves or cuts inside the jacket material – creates specific structural weak points that direct and control how fragmentation propagates through the bullet body, promoting complete disruption rather than partial jacket separation. The “dead-soft lead core” Speer’s own documentation consistently describes compounds this by ensuring the core itself readily deforms and separates at impact rather than resisting fragmentation.
Jacketed hollow-point, small meplat: Unlike the V-MAX, BlitzKing, and Varmageddon, the TNT uses no polymer tip. The small, precision-formed hollow-point cavity must initiate expansion without tip assistance, which generally requires somewhat higher impact velocity than a tip-assisted design. The original article’s stated 2,000 fps activation threshold is higher than the 1,600 fps cited for the V-MAX and BlitzKing, and consistent with the higher threshold documented for the untipped Barnes VARMIN-A-TOR covered elsewhere on this site. This threshold is plausible and appropriate for an untipped hollow-point design.
Long ogive profile: Speer’s own technical documentation specifically describes a “long ogive” as part of the TNT’s design, providing the aerodynamic efficiency needed to achieve the bullet’s stated BCs despite the absence of a tip. The long ogive and small hollow-point combination – rather than the oversized polymer tip used by competitors – is the TNT’s approach to BC efficiency, and it explains why the TNT’s meplat consistency depends entirely on manufacturing precision rather than a separately molded tip component.
Flat-base profile: Unlike some competitors in this category that offer boat-tail variants for modestly improved BC, the TNT uses a flat base. This is a simpler, less expensive construction approach but produces somewhat lower BC than a boat-tail design of otherwise identical geometry, a tradeoff appropriate for a budget-positioned varmint bullet.
No polymer tip – a meaningful practical difference: At high volume, prairie dog sessions, polymer tips can be damaged when bullets are stacked loose in a range bag, a coat pocket, or a box that sees rough handling in the field. The TNT’s hollow-point design, with no delicate tip to protect, is somewhat more tolerant of rough handling than tipped competitors, though the small hollow-point cavity itself is not immune to deformation under extreme pressure.
Ballistics and Performance
G1 BCs from 0.091 to 0.384 per this source’s table span a wide range, with the notably low 0.091 at the 30-grain .224-inch entry reflecting the extreme light weight and correspondingly poor aerodynamic efficiency of that specific offering. The upper end of the table (0.384 at the 110-grain .284-inch) is a genuinely strong figure for a hollow-point without a tip at this weight, and independent sourcing from Speer’s website confirms BCs in the 0.300-0.341 range for the .308-inch and .277-inch variants not present in the original table.
The 30-grain .224-inch at BC 0.091 and SD 0.085 is an extremely light offering for maximum velocity in 223 Remington or similar cartridges, producing dramatic near-field fragmentation on small varmints at the cost of very rapid velocity decay downrange. The low BC means this variant is best suited to the shortest varmint distances.
The 50-grain .224-inch at BC 0.228 and SD 0.142 is the TNT’s most widely used offering in 223 Remington and 22-250 Remington. At BC 0.228, this figure is broadly comparable to the V-MAX’s 0.242 at the same weight and caliber, and the BC difference between an untipped hollow-point and a polymer-tipped design at this weight class is modest enough that practical shooting differences at typical varmint ranges (inside 300 yards) are minimal.
The 55-grain .224-inch at BC 0.233 and SD 0.157 extends the .224-inch range for 223 Remington applications, with a BC slightly higher than the 50-grain entry, consistent with expected scaling behavior.
The 87-grain .257-inch at BC 0.315 and SD 0.188 is an unusual weight and caliber combination for a dedicated varmint bullet, covering fox and coyote work in 25-06 Remington and 250 Savage and similar .257-inch cartridges.
The 90-grain .264-inch at BC 0.281 and SD 0.184 addresses 6.5 Creedmoor and similar cartridges for fox and coyote varmint hunting. The BC 0.281 here is modestly lower than the Speer website’s documented figure for the comparable V-MAX in this caliber, consistent with the untipped hollow-point’s expected BC disadvantage.
The 110-grain .284-inch (7mm) at BC 0.384 and SD 0.195 is the heaviest offering in this table, covering 7mm cartridges for large predator and varmint work at moderate range.
As noted in the introduction, Speer’s current product page confirms additional TNT variants in .204-inch (39-grain, BC 0.202), .277-inch (90-grain, BC 0.303), and .308-inch (125-grain, BC 0.341) not present in the original article’s table, expanding the documented lineup beyond what the original source presents.
Accuracy of 0.5-1.0 MOA is somewhat wider than the 0.5-0.9 MOA this site has documented for several tipped competitors, which may reflect the untipped hollow-point’s inherently less consistent meplat-to-meplat BC compared to tip-capped competitors, though at typical varmint ranges this difference is unlikely to be practically significant.
Expert Ballistics Table – Speer TNT Variants
Data from Speer specifications. BCs are G1. Additional .204-inch, .277-inch, and .308-inch variants confirmed via independent sourcing but absent from original article table – verify full current lineup at speer.com.
| Diameter (inches) | Weight (grains) | BC (G1) | Sectional Density | Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| .204 | 39 | 0.202 | (verify) | Prairie dogs in 204 Ruger (per independent sourcing) |
| .224 | 30 | 0.091 | 0.085 | Close-range varmints in 223 Remington |
| .224 | 50 | 0.228 | 0.142 | Coyotes, foxes in 223 Remington |
| .224 | 55 | 0.233 | 0.157 | Coyotes, foxes in 22-250 Remington |
| .257 | 87 | 0.315 | 0.188 | Foxes, coyotes in 25-06 Remington |
| .264 | 90 | 0.281 | 0.184 | Coyotes in 6.5 Creedmoor |
| .277 | 90 | 0.303 | (verify) | Predators in 270 Winchester (per independent sourcing) |
| .284 | 110 | 0.384 | 0.195 | Large predators in 7mm Remington Magnum |
| .308 | 125 | 0.341 | 0.188 | Varmint/predator in 308 Winchester (per independent sourcing) |
Comparison Bullets
The original article’s comparison set – Hornady V-MAX, Sierra BlitzKing, and Nosler Varmageddon – is appropriate and covers the primary tipped polymer competitors the TNT faces, all now covered in their own dedicated articles on this site.
As discussed in the introduction, the comparison BC ranges the original article cites for all three competitors differ from the figures this site’s own coverage of those bullets documents. This is the same cross-source discrepancy pattern flagged across this series, now appearing for the third consecutive varmint bullet article. The specific direction of the discrepancy here (all three competitor BC ranges are overstated in the original) makes the TNT’s own BC performance appear relatively weaker than the direct figure comparisons in this article’s own table would suggest when measured against the accurate competitor figures.
The Barnes VARMIN-A-TOR is worth adding to this comparison despite not appearing in the original article’s set, because like the TNT it is an untipped hollow-point varmint bullet – making it the TNT’s closest architectural relative in this site’s coverage, more so than the three polymer-tipped designs the original article compares it against. This site’s VARMIN-A-TOR coverage documents BC 0.128-0.279, somewhat trailing the TNT’s table-documented range, with a higher 2,000 fps activation threshold shared by both untipped designs.
Comparison Table – Varmint Fragmentation Bullets
| Bullet | Diameter Range | Weight Range | BC Range (from each bullet’s own primary source) | Tip | Activation Velocity | Lead-Free |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speer TNT | .204-.308 | 30-125 gr | 0.091-0.384 | None (hollow point) | 2,000 fps | No |
| Hornady V-MAX | .172-.308 | 20-110 gr | 0.200-0.365 (table values) | Polymer (color-coded) | 1,600 fps | No |
| Sierra BlitzKing | .204-.308 | 32-90 gr | 0.145-0.270 | Polymer | 1,600 fps | No |
| Nosler Varmageddon | .172-.308 | 32-90 gr | 0.140-0.265 | Polymer or flat base | 1,800 fps | No |
| Barnes VARMIN-A-TOR | .204-.257 | 32-85 gr | 0.128-0.279 | None (open hollow point) | 2,000 fps | No |
The TNT is the broadest-caliber-range bullet in this comparison table when counting the independently confirmed variants the original article omits, spanning .204-inch through .308-inch. Its 2,000 fps activation threshold aligns it with the VARMIN-A-TOR rather than the tipped designs, and its untipped hollow-point construction is the clearest point of differentiation from the three polymer-tipped competitors the original article specifically compares it against.
Applications and Practical Aspects
Close-range ground squirrels and prairie dogs (30 grains, .224-inch): At BC 0.091, this is the TNT’s most extreme fragmentation-focused offering, losing velocity very rapidly but producing devastating results on small varmints at close range. Hodgdon H4895, IMR 4895, and Alliant Reloder 10x are appropriate choices for fast-burning powder slots at this very light weight. The 22 Hornet is a further cartridge some varmint hunters use with light .224-inch bullets for suburban or close-range applications where lower velocity and noise are practical considerations.
Prairie dogs and ground squirrels (50-55 grains, .224-inch): The TNT’s primary application in 223 Remington and 22-250 Remington, covering the same general use cases as the V-MAX and BlitzKing in these calibers. Hodgdon Varget and Hodgdon CFE 223 are standard choices. For comparison of these two cartridges for varmint applications, see the 243 Winchester vs 22-250 Remington comparison.
Coyotes and foxes (87-90 grains, .257-.264-inch): 25-06 Remington and 6.5 Creedmoor at these weights extend the TNT’s range for larger predators. Hodgdon H4350 and Alliant Reloder 16 are documented choices for 6.5mm loads. The 6.5 Grendel is an additional 6.5mm option some AR-platform varmint hunters use with this weight class.
Large predators (110-125 grains, .284-.308-inch): 7mm Remington Magnum and 308 Winchester at these weights cover coyote and larger predator work where more downrange energy is needed. Alliant Reloder 22 is a documented choice for 7mm magnum loads. The 7mm-08 Remington is an additional platform some predator hunters use at this weight class in a lighter-recoiling package.
Pelt-conscious varmint hunting: Independent field reporting, including an account published on Speer’s own website, specifically describes the TNT as less damaging to pelts than more explosive competing designs, with the small hollow-point producing more controlled fragmentation than some tipped competitors at comparable velocities. This makes the TNT worth considering for hunters who plan to sell or preserve coyote or fox pelts, where pelt damage from excessive fragmentation reduces value.
Not appropriate for lead-restricted jurisdictions: Like every lead-core varmint bullet in this category, the TNT is not legal for hunting in California’s condor zones and similar restricted areas. The Hornady NTX and Winchester Varmint X Lead-Free are the lead-free alternatives covered on this site. The 22 ARC is emerging as a popular flat-shooting varmint cartridge for AR-platform use, compatible with lighter TNT weights for non-restricted applications.
Reloading
Speer publishes TNT-specific load data in its reloading manuals and online resources, and the original article’s characterization that “the thin jacket design requires careful velocity management to avoid premature breakup” is a genuine and important reloading note for this bullet – unlike the tipped designs in this comparison set, the TNT’s thin jacket and dead-soft lead core can fragment prematurely inside the barrel or during the initial velocity surge if charges are significantly above maximum or if the bullet is seated too deeply and encounters very high gas pressures before leaving the barrel.
Primers: Standard small rifle primers for most applications. CCI 400 and Federal 205 are reliable choices for 223 Remington and similar small-case applications. Remington 7½ is a further option commonly used for high-velocity varmint loads. Winchester WSR is an additional small rifle option for handloaders sourcing within Winchester’s primer line. For AR-platform semi-automatic applications, CCI No. 41 should be used to prevent slam-fire issues.
Cases: Standard brass from Winchester, Remington, and Federal are all appropriate. Given the high round counts typical of prairie dog and ground squirrel hunting, a dedicated case trimmer for batch case preparation saves significant time, and a quality powder measure for consistent charge weights matters especially at the very light bullet weights where small charge variations translate to more meaningful velocity swings.
Seating depth: Start 0.010 to 0.050 inches off the lands. The TNT’s long ogive makes it jump-sensitive, as Speer’s own documentation notes. Without a polymer tip to maintain consistent meplat geometry, meplat-to-meplat variation is also somewhat higher than for tipped designs, making consistent seating depth more important for minimizing group-to-group BC variation.
Crimp: Light crimp for semi-automatic platforms where bullet setback under feeding could be an issue. Generally not needed for bolt-action rifles in standard varmint applications.
Velocity verification: Confirming velocities above 2,000 fps at the intended maximum range is particularly important for this bullet given the higher activation threshold relative to tipped competitors. At 300 yards from a fast .224-inch cartridge, retained velocity is typically comfortably above 2,000 fps, but at longer distances or with slower cartridges, this should be verified.
Powder Selection by Application:
| Application | Caliber | Bullet Weight | Recommended Powders |
|---|---|---|---|
| Close-range varmint | 223 Rem | 30 gr | Hodgdon H4895, Alliant Reloder 10x, IMR 4895, Vihtavuori N133 |
| Prairie dogs/ground squirrels | 223 Rem | 50-55 gr | Hodgdon Varget, Hodgdon CFE 223, Accurate 2230, Hodgdon H335, Hodgdon Benchmark |
| Coyotes/foxes | 6.5 Creedmoor | 90 gr | Hodgdon H4350, Alliant Reloder 16, Alliant Reloder 23, Alliant Power Pro Varmint |
| Large predators | 7mm Rem Mag | 110 gr | Alliant Reloder 22, Hodgdon H4831SC, IMR 7828, Accurate LT-32 |
Reloading Parameters Summary:
| Parameter | Guideline |
|---|---|
| Neck tension | 0.002-0.004 inch interference |
| Seating depth | 0.010-0.050 inch off lands; long ogive is jump-sensitive |
| Crimp | Light for semi-auto; generally not needed for bolt-action |
| Minimum fragmentation velocity | 2,000 fps at impact |
| Weight retention | Intentionally low – fragmentation is the goal |
| Extreme spread target | Under 20 fps for consistent varmint accuracy |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is “internal fluting” a real engineering feature or marketing language?
A: This is a genuine, documented construction feature, confirmed across multiple independent sources including Speer’s own product descriptions, multiple retailer technical specifications, and independent field review accounts. The internal fluting consists of grooves or cuts inside the jacket that create structural weak points directing fragmentation in a controlled pattern, working alongside the dead-soft lead core and thin outer jacket to promote complete and rapid bullet disruption. This is meaningfully different from simply calling a bullet “explosive” without describing a specific mechanism.
Q: The original article cites BC ranges for the V-MAX, BlitzKing, and Varmageddon that are all higher than what this site’s own coverage of those bullets documents. Why?
A: This follows the same pattern this site has now documented across multiple consecutive varmint bullet articles – competitor BC figures cited secondhand within one product’s comparison material consistently differ from figures documented in those competitors’ own primary source material. In this specific case, all three competitor ranges appear inflated relative to the confirmed primary-source figures, which makes the TNT’s own BC performance appear weaker by comparison than it actually is when measured against the accurate competitor numbers. Handloaders should use the comparison table in this article, which presents the corrected figures from each bullet’s own dedicated coverage, rather than the comparison figures in the original article.
Q: The original article lists “.224 to .308” as the caliber range but the table stops at .284. Does the TNT actually come in .308?
A: Yes, confirmed by independent sourcing from Speer’s current product page. The .308-inch TNT (125-grain, BC 0.341) is a genuine current production offering. The original article’s table omission is an error in the source material, not a fabricated caliber claim. Additional calibers (.204-inch and .277-inch) are also documented on Speer’s current site and absent from the original table.
Q: How does the TNT compare to the V-MAX specifically in terms of which to choose for prairie dog hunting in 223 Remington?
A: Both are sound choices for this application. The key practical differences are: the V-MAX’s polymer tip gives it a modestly higher BC at the same weight (0.242 versus the TNT’s 0.228 at 50 grains), a lower activation threshold (1,600 fps versus 2,000 fps), and more consistent meplat geometry from box to box. The TNT’s untipped hollow-point is somewhat more tolerant of rough field handling and costs less per bullet ($0.20-0.40 versus V-MAX’s $0.30-0.50 stated range). At typical prairie dog distances inside 250 yards, the performance difference between the two is unlikely to be practically significant for most shooters.
Q: The original article warns about “premature breakup” with the TNT at high velocities. Is this a real concern?
A: Yes, and it’s a meaningful practical note for this specific bullet rather than a generic warning. The TNT’s deliberately thin jacket and dead-soft core are optimized for rapid, complete fragmentation on impact, which also means they are more susceptible than a thicker-jacketed design to partial fragmentation inside the barrel or immediately at the muzzle if peak chamber pressures are significantly elevated or if the bullet is seated extremely deeply. Following Speer’s published charge weights rather than substituting comparable varmint bullet data, and starting below maximum as always, is the appropriate mitigation.
Q: Is the TNT a reasonable choice for hunters who care about pelt preservation?
A: Somewhat, and this is a genuine, documented nuance from Speer’s own published material. The TNT’s smaller hollow-point and internal fluting produce more controlled fragmentation than some of the more dramatically explosive tipped designs, and Speer’s own website’s field review specifically describes the TNT as a better choice than more explosive hollow-point competitors for hunters who plan to sell or preserve pelts. That said, this is a relative statement – the TNT is still a fragmentation bullet, and coyote pelts will still be damaged to some degree by any varmint fragmentation design. Hunters for whom pelt preservation is the top priority are generally better served by a controlled-expansion hunting bullet rather than any fragmentation design.
Conclusion
The Speer TNT is a genuinely distinct option within the varmint fragmentation bullet category this site now covers in full, differentiated from its three main polymer-tipped competitors by its untipped hollow-point construction, its internal fluting engineering feature (confirmed genuine, not marketing language), and its somewhat higher 2,000 fps activation threshold. Its BC figures trail the tipped designs modestly at most comparable weights, consistent with the aerodynamic penalty of operating without a polymer tip, and its flat-base construction foregoes the BC improvement boat-tail designs would provide. What it offers in return is a lower price point, somewhat better pelt preservation relative to the most explosive tipped designs, and an extended caliber range that genuine independent sourcing confirms extends to .308-inch.
Choose the TNT if: you want the most affordable option in this comparison set; you’re hunting coyotes or foxes where some pelt preservation matters and the TNT’s more controlled fragmentation is preferable to the most explosive tipped designs; or you specifically want .257-inch, .277-inch, or .308-inch caliber varmint bullet options that competitors in this category don’t cover as completely.
Choose something else if: you need the lowest possible activation velocity for long-range shots where retained velocity may drop below 2,000 fps – the V-MAX and BlitzKing’s 1,600 fps threshold gives more margin. If you want the widest BC advantage at .224-inch weights, the V-MAX’s polymer tip provides a modest but real advantage. If you want a tipped varmint bullet with a longer production history than the tipped competitors in this comparison, the Sierra Varminter is worth considering. If you want a tipped hunting bullet for varmint applications where some controlled expansion is desired, the Nosler Ballistic Tip occupies a different design niche. If you hunt in a lead-restricted jurisdiction, none of the lead-core varmint bullets in this category apply – see the Hornady NTX or Winchester Varmint X Lead-Free for lead-free alternatives.
Disclaimer: Reloading involves inherent risks. Always use current load data from Speer or other published manuals. The thin jacket and dead-soft core make this bullet more susceptible to premature fragmentation at over-maximum charges than thicker-jacketed designs – do not substitute load data from heavier-jacketed varmint bullets without verification. Contains lead – not legal for hunting in lead-restricted jurisdictions including California. Wear eye protection at all times. The author and myreloading.com are not responsible for injuries or property damage from reloading or shooting handloaded ammunition.
Have you loaded and shot the Speer TNT? Leave a comment with your specific load: weight, cartridge, powder, charge, and what you observed on game. How did it compare to a Hornady V-MAX or Sierra BlitzKing in the same cartridge? Notes on pelt damage compared to tipped competitors are particularly useful given the discussion of this bullet’s relative pelt preservation characteristics.
Editorial note: Originally published 2024, revised June 2026. The update verified the original article’s “internal fluting” claim against multiple independent sources, including Speer’s own product descriptions and retailer technical documentation, and confirmed it is a genuine, documented engineering feature rather than vague marketing language. Flagged three data quality issues: (1) the original’s comparison BC ranges for the V-MAX, BlitzKing, and Varmageddon all differ from this site’s own primary-source coverage of those bullets; (2) the original’s ballistics table omits the .204-inch, .277-inch, and .308-inch calibers that independent sourcing confirms are genuine current production variants; (3) the caliber range claim (.224 to .308) is technically accurate per independent sourcing despite the table stopping at .284-inch. Added the Barnes VARMIN-A-TOR to the comparison discussion as the TNT’s closest architectural relative (both untipped hollow-point designs). Noted the TNT’s relative pelt-preservation advantage, documented in Speer’s own published material, compared to more explosive tipped competitors. Applied full internal linking throughout. Added FAQ covering six common questions.
