Soft point vs vmax
- Thread starter fuel80guy
- Start date
That will depend on the type of soft point you buy. A soft point means the tip has exposed lead, but the expansion will also depend on the thickness of the jacket and the construction of the rest of the bullet. A varmint bullet with a soft point will act just like a V-max and fragment on contact. A regular big game bullet with a soft point will not.
What purpose are you using them for?
If it's a .224" bullet you need, then Hornady makes a soft point varmint round. I'm not sure on other calibres.
If the soft point isn't listed as a varmint round specifically it's usually safe to assume it's a bonded bullet that is meant for big game.
In my experience a polymer tip delays expansion/fragmentation regardless of whether it's a varmint round or a big game round. So if V-MAX's are passing through/staying together I would give varmint soft points a try.
If the soft point isn't listed as a varmint round specifically it's usually safe to assume it's a bonded bullet that is meant for big game.
In my experience a polymer tip delays expansion/fragmentation regardless of whether it's a varmint round or a big game round. So if V-MAX's are passing through/staying together I would give varmint soft points a try.
I've loaded quite a few 50 and 55 grain SPSX in my .223 and I would be very surprised to find a exit on a coyote with one! Last spring I shot a gopher inside one of my calving barns from a range of 50 yards, he was standing on a corner brace 6" from the back wall which was 1/2" plywood. The gopher was spread over the entire wall all the way to the roof and only a few small fragments of jacket were stuck to the wall and one piece big enough to carry away a chip of wood was never found. Pretty sure if I had used a .22LR I would have had a hole in the wall!
I have shot about 9 coyotes with 53 gr vmax going 3200 ot the muzzle of my 223. All my broadsidde shots have passed through. It is not a big hole but rather a smallish one. It seems that the base is a bit heavier and seems to punch through evenn thought the rest of the bullet has fragmented. It would not make any differance except it is winter now and I'm keeping the hides. I have loaded some Nosler Varmagedon 55gr and once I have developed a load I will give them a try. The Varmagedon seems to have a more fragile base. I also have a Varmint Grenade load that shoots moa at best and have heard poor reviews on the terminal performance so they will remain for plinking only.
I'm interested to know how the Varmint soft points from Hornady work out.
G
I'm interested to know how the Varmint soft points from Hornady work out.
G
I shoot 110gn Vmax from my .308. I have never had a discernible exit wound on a coyote with them. About a month ago, I put a deer carcass out on a stack of pallets. Next morning there were a few magpies on it. From my dining room window, 70yds. Blew that magpie into a 25' circle on the ground. The surrounded pallets looked like I had hit them with buckshot and only one piece was big enough to tear the hardwood up. As far as I am concerned, these work better than the varmint grenades I used both in accuracy and in effect. I have never used Blitzkings so I can't comment on them.
