7.62x39 Hornady VMax
- Thread starter maliboy67
- Start date
Hotwheels81
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- South of GP
Start around 28gr and work up seating as long as possible of course...
Max 31.5gr = 40,900psi
Sourced from
Xttp://www.ak-47.net/ammo/reload2.html
Max 31.5gr = 40,900psi
Sourced from
Xttp://www.ak-47.net/ammo/reload2.html
Hotwheels81
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- South of GP
Lee 2nd edition, modern reloading
125gr jacketed
H335 start grains 30.0
H335 max grains 31.5, 2408fps @ 36,810psi
2.150" min OAL
125gr jacketed
H335 start grains 30.0
H335 max grains 31.5, 2408fps @ 36,810psi
2.150" min OAL
The Hornady.310 123 gr. V-Max,SP and FMJ are listed in the Hornady manual and all use the same load data. H-335 is not listed in the Hornady Manual.
Lyman #48 Manual
Hornady 123 gr. .310 SP,FMJ or V-Max.
H-335 Start Load 30.5 grs. Accuracy Load MV 2085 fps. Max Load & compressed 34.5+ MV 2363 fps.
Lyman #48 Manual
Hornady 123 gr. .310 SP,FMJ or V-Max.
H-335 Start Load 30.5 grs. Accuracy Load MV 2085 fps. Max Load & compressed 34.5+ MV 2363 fps.
Yes I have the Lyman manual as well and have been using the Hornady SP, I just wondered if the VMax had a different shape and or bearing surface the load data might be different. The Hornady 123gr SP with 32gr of H335 works very well for me and has decent accuracy. I was able to get the VMax for much less cost.
The Lyman data will work fine for the V-Max as well,as I mentioned the Hornady manual list all three bullets using the same load data.
I use the same load data in the Lyman manuals with all the .310 .123 gr. Hornady bullets as well but use Reloader #7 as my go to powder for Jacketed bullets.
Here is an old load I worked up using some IMR-4198 I had. 50 yds. with irons in my Chinese SKS.
Ok I just received the VMax bullets. Everyone is telling me to use the same data as the SP. I have the Hornady SP as well, if you look at both bullets the cannelure is twice the distance from the base of the bullet on the VMax and when seated to the recommended OAL there is twice as much bullet in the neck. Has anyone seen pressure problems? I loaded 5 to try out with the min listed charge in the Lyman manual. I am trying IMR 4198. If there is twice as much of the base of the bullet in the case neck it would reduce case capacity and there for have higher pressure.
What OAL are you guys loading to?
My first batch..(V-max, H4198, 23gr to 24.5gr. OAL @ 2.222"). Chrono'd @ 2100 - 2190 fps. Accuracy...poor.
No crimp....a few rounds FTF and the bullet was stuffed down into the case...so my next question......"To Crimp or Not To Crimp" ???
My first batch..(V-max, H4198, 23gr to 24.5gr. OAL @ 2.222"). Chrono'd @ 2100 - 2190 fps. Accuracy...poor.
No crimp....a few rounds FTF and the bullet was stuffed down into the case...so my next question......"To Crimp or Not To Crimp" ???
Crimp into the cannelure. For sure.
Obviously not enough neck tension in your gun and brass.
Case capacity won't make much of a difference in this cartridge, bearing surface is the big pressure facture and the 123gr V-max doesn't have much.
Obviously not enough neck tension in your gun and brass.
Case capacity won't make much of a difference in this cartridge, bearing surface is the big pressure facture and the 123gr V-max doesn't have much.
Also 24.5gr should be used as your starting load.
Up to a Max of 26.5gr.
Your loads were low.
I started at 24.5 and worked up to 26.5 with no problems in my SKS or VZ58
Thats for H4198 the data does differ significantly for IMR 4198.
Up to a Max of 26.5gr.
Your loads were low.
I started at 24.5 and worked up to 26.5 with no problems in my SKS or VZ58
Thats for H4198 the data does differ significantly for IMR 4198.
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H335 isn't a recommended powder, I would avoid it. H322 is a better choice. It's more stable and isn't affected by temperature changes. Hogdon lists it as an extreme powder.
With H322 I am getting 2117 fps out of a 16" barreled AR. I find it very consistent with an ES of 58 fps and a standard deviation of 14 (minimum 10 shots).
I got very similar results using the 123 gr. fmj bullets from Privi Partizan and H4198. The average velocity was exactly the same over 15 shots as the 123 gr. VMax. The SD was higher at 19 though. The fmj's were not nearly as accurate as the VMax but ok for plinking or SR.
H4198 will give you up to 200 fps higher velocity than IMR 4198 with the 123 gr. bullet. I prefer it and it gives good accuracy.
If you really want to get the best out of this cartridge you can get Lapua brass. This combined with match primers will give you the most consistent and accurate results in my opinion.
This is a 5 shot group shot at 100 m with my AR and 123 gr. VMax bullet with H4198 and Winchester cases.
As has been mentioned here, Rel 7 is a good powder for this cartridge. I use it a lot and have had good results.
This is a 5 shot group at 100 m done with my AR using Rel 7 powder and the 123 gr VMax. I also used Lapua brass and match primers for this group.
With H322 I am getting 2117 fps out of a 16" barreled AR. I find it very consistent with an ES of 58 fps and a standard deviation of 14 (minimum 10 shots).
I got very similar results using the 123 gr. fmj bullets from Privi Partizan and H4198. The average velocity was exactly the same over 15 shots as the 123 gr. VMax. The SD was higher at 19 though. The fmj's were not nearly as accurate as the VMax but ok for plinking or SR.
H4198 will give you up to 200 fps higher velocity than IMR 4198 with the 123 gr. bullet. I prefer it and it gives good accuracy.
If you really want to get the best out of this cartridge you can get Lapua brass. This combined with match primers will give you the most consistent and accurate results in my opinion.
This is a 5 shot group shot at 100 m with my AR and 123 gr. VMax bullet with H4198 and Winchester cases.
As has been mentioned here, Rel 7 is a good powder for this cartridge. I use it a lot and have had good results.
This is a 5 shot group at 100 m done with my AR using Rel 7 powder and the 123 gr VMax. I also used Lapua brass and match primers for this group.
