53gr. Vmax

J

Jmiverson

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Hey guys, I have some questions for those who have loaded 53gr Vmax for .223.

Will it stabilize in a 1:12 twist barrel?
What kind of velocities are you getting?
How does it work on coyotes?
What's your favourite load?

I would like to load these up in my Howa 24", 1:12 with IMR 8208. Any input is greatly appreciated.
 
In the new hornady manual they use a 1:12" rem 700 and have no mention of them not working. I shoot a lot of them in my 1:9". Always less then 1" 5 shot groups. I have shot many around .5" groups as well. THye work well on coyotes and are very exciting on gophers. My load is 25.7gr of varget, cci primers, col of 2.244". That load works well in a few other 223's as well. I'm getting about 3020 fps. Its not a barn burner but is very accurate for me.
 
I shoot them in my TC Encore with .223 barrel 1:12 twist.
Haven't shot a coyote with them yet.
I use CFE223 in my .223 can't remember how many grains.

This is the loads from the Hodgon site.

53 GR. SIE HP HodgdonCFE 223.224"2.200"27.0gr 3245 fps

28.5gr 3415 fps
 
I have shot these in 3 .223's. Two Tikka with a 1in8'' twist and a Remington 700 with a 1in12" twist. My final load was with IMR 8208. It was a hot load and out of a 24" Remington barrel I was getting approx. 3350fps. I actually found this to be more than enough for coyotes. The three coyotes I shot with this load at these speeds proved to provide a little more damage to the fur than I was hoping - now it could have come down to shot placement - hitting bone. But never the less I went back to 40gr VMax for my 223 coyote load. Another note, I was able to get the 53 Vmax to group well in my 22-250 1in14'' twist during the summer (REALLY HOT LOAD). Come winter and a loss in velocity they began to key hole. So yes, a 1in12" twist is minimum for these bullets.
 
Bowron said:
, I was able to get the 53 Vmax to group well in my 22-250 1in14'' twist during the summer (REALLY HOT LOAD). Come winter and a loss in velocity they began to key hole. So yes, a 1in12" twist is minimum for these bullets.
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Hornady's data says that they won't work in a 1:14" 22-250
 
I got a pile of these loaded up for this years yotes. Wont know how they do until the 8th of Dec. Thats when the shotgun zone here closes, so I cant go out till then.

My trigger fingers getting pretty itchy though. :p
 
titch-- said:
I got a pile of these loaded up for this years yotes. Wont know how they do until the 8th of Dec. Thats when the shotgun zone here closes, so I cant go out till then.

My trigger fingers getting pretty itchy though. :p
Click to expand...

If you're between here and there, we'll likely be hunting the same areas. I've made one unsuccessful stand in zone 23 so far, also getting an itch!
 
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