223 rem with 40grn

J

J10archer

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I have a surplus of .224 40grn v-max. They were from a 222 project. I now have started reloading for 223 rem. Has anyone had good results with them. Mostly a plinking load (to use them up) but a hunting load inside of 300 yards. I have some benchmark powder and a few others (I tend to stick with temp insensitive powders) any help is appreciated
 
The 40 gr V-Max has been my go-to bullet for my Axis .223 since I bought it 10 years ago.
when I bought the gun I knew a buddy that has an extensive collection of half used boxes of .223 slug so I tapped him for a bunch of different weights & makers to dun a comparison test.

My gun shot anything under 55 gr very well, heavier than that, the groups started to open up a bit, still within an inch or so. 55 gr or less were all within 1/2 inch, but those V-max's shot one hole groups one after the other. and they hold that accuracy out to 300 yrds very well, I have a life sized A-500 gopher target that I can set up on my property and have yet to miss that little guy at 300 ....so far....

I have shot yotes from 50 yrds to 300 yrds with them and haven't had any of the failures some folks write about...not one of them had blown up on impact. I have never shot a deer with one ( illegal here in Ab.) but wouldn't hesitate if I could.
 
fingers284 said:
The 40 gr V-Max has been my go-to bullet for my Axis .223 since I bought it 10 years ago.
when I bought the gun I knew a buddy that has an extensive collection of half used boxes of .223 slug so I tapped him for a bunch of different weights & makers to dun a comparison test.

My gun shot anything under 55 gr very well, heavier than that, the groups started to open up a bit, still within an inch or so. 55 gr or less were all within 1/2 inch, but those V-max's shot one hole groups one after the other. and they hold that accuracy out to 300 yrds very well, I have a life sized A-500 gopher target that I can set up on my property and have yet to miss that little guy at 300 ....so far....

I have shot yotes from 50 yrds to 300 yrds with them and haven't had any of the failures some folks write about...not one of them had blown up on impact. I have never shot a deer with one ( illegal here in Ab.) but wouldn't hesitate if I could.
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Curious what the twist rate is of your gun?
 
40gr Vmax shoot 1moa 5 shot groups with H335 from my 8 twist Ruger 223. Coyote at 350y spun a few times and flopped over
 
24.7gr's of Benchmark, CCI BR4 primers seems to be the "go to" load suggestion for some of the benchrest shooters at my range. I have a Weatherby S2 HB that just doesn't like them. Tried to make it happy with them but nope. It likes IMR 4198. Best so for is a 5 shot 0.40" group at 100yds. 10x is the runner up powder. Haven't been able to try out to 300yds yet.
 
I shot Hornady 55gr FMJ soft point boat tail cannelure varmint bullets out of my Ruger Precision Rifle 223 7"twist for 1" groups, some of the best that rifle has ever shot, right there with the 80gr ELDM at that distance.
 
Use them on gophers, biggest piece you will find is usually part of the lower spine. Interesting that they shoot very well out of a Tikka varmint with a fast twist and my Tikka master sporter with a slow twist.
 
Well. Some good, some no so good results in mt question. I will load some up. Infact I already have. Try them out soon. I will already be bring alot of guns for a big range day. What's one more lol. Results to be posted
 
I loaded up some 40 gr Varmint BT with Benchmark in my savage axis. Maxed out at 28 grains, but ultimately settled on a load at 27 grains that shoots 1/2" at 100 and just over 3700 FPS. The only real issue with a 40 grain pill in a savage 223 is the long throat in those savage barrels doesn't allow you to get that short bullet close to the lands. Mine still shoots fine and I would not hesitate to shoot it out to 250 yds on one of our small western coyotes.
 
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I prefer the 53gr vmax over the 40gr. But inside 300yards what ever gets hit likely would never notice a difference. I thought about buying some of the 35 or 40gr vmaxs and loading my 223 down with trailboss. Ppl at the range see the fake can and hear the puff of trailboss loads (69gr tipped match king at 1500fps) they loose their minds lol
 
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