I think you mentioned you used a .223, and it doesn't like 40gr varmageddons. Just curious what rifle you are using and whether you have tried the 55gr Varmageddons.
Varmints - Federal VShok Ball Tip OR Nosler Varmageddon OR Hornady Superformance Varm
- Thread starter thegazelle
- Start date
I think you mentioned you used a .223, and it doesn't like 40gr varmageddons. Just curious what rifle you are using and whether you have tried the 55gr Varmageddons.
Brutus
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
My singular experience with 40 grain Varrmagedon in the 22 Hornet was dismal accuracy at 100 yards from a bench. I suspect it's long bearing surface is not Hornet chamber friendly.
Several shooting friends with 221 FB and 223 were very favourable for other shooters this very same bullet.
Several shooting friends with 221 FB and 223 were very favourable for other shooters this very same bullet.
My winchester feather weight rifle with a 1 in 12 twist shoots best with the 40gr varmegeddons. My rem 783 with a 1 in 9 does not like them at all.
This is 55gr sierra gameking hp at 201 paces. Held for the nose while facing headon and i split the skin on the jaw and took out the throat. Instant death. My 783 loves the sgk
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A bullet's "effect" is always an important question to ask, but, accuracy comes first. It doesn't matter how well it does/doesn't expand if shot placement isn't what it should be. I might also add, 1:8 "should" favor heavier bullets as noted, but that's not always the case. I had a 1:9/223 that only started to shoot well @ 55gr., but I got better groups out of 53. 40 and even 35gr. NTX shot better than 69gr SMKs ever did, from my rifle. (which every piece of advice I read suggested "should" shoot well from that twist)
So..if you're bound by factory offerings and don't reload, I'd suggest you treat it like a new rimfire rifle-get as many types as you can, box of each, take your time..and let the rifle reveal to you what it wants to eat.
I've hunted coyotes, gotten close to hitting the go button, but have yet to get one in the crosshairs. lol Groundhogs-that's another story.
With them, I far prefer V-Max, be it the 55/53gr I shot with my .223...or..the 32gr I'm now using in my 204Ruger. I once had a different 204 that wasn't easy to get a good load for, but it decided 39gr. Sierra Blitzking (SBKs) were it's favorite. Tried to get that rifle to like Hornady anything=no dice. the 39gr. SBKs killed every groundhog unlucky to get in the way of one, BUT, results were far less instant...and I saw all kinds of evidence that the Sierra's penetration was greater than it needed to be. I once hit a large adult, front/quartering shot and the bullet exited it's opposite, hind quarter. More to that particular story, but you get the idea.
With the 32gr V-Max my current 204 shoots well, I've hit groundhogs 1/2 the size with no blow-through. In other words, even I contemplate what I want to shoot with that 204, and at what distances. Inside of 300 yards, I have no need to contemplate that load on groundhogs though-plenty of medicine
So..if you're bound by factory offerings and don't reload, I'd suggest you treat it like a new rimfire rifle-get as many types as you can, box of each, take your time..and let the rifle reveal to you what it wants to eat.
I've hunted coyotes, gotten close to hitting the go button, but have yet to get one in the crosshairs. lol Groundhogs-that's another story.
With them, I far prefer V-Max, be it the 55/53gr I shot with my .223...or..the 32gr I'm now using in my 204Ruger. I once had a different 204 that wasn't easy to get a good load for, but it decided 39gr. Sierra Blitzking (SBKs) were it's favorite. Tried to get that rifle to like Hornady anything=no dice. the 39gr. SBKs killed every groundhog unlucky to get in the way of one, BUT, results were far less instant...and I saw all kinds of evidence that the Sierra's penetration was greater than it needed to be. I once hit a large adult, front/quartering shot and the bullet exited it's opposite, hind quarter. More to that particular story, but you get the idea.With the 32gr V-Max my current 204 shoots well, I've hit groundhogs 1/2 the size with no blow-through. In other words, even I contemplate what I want to shoot with that 204, and at what distances. Inside of 300 yards, I have no need to contemplate that load on groundhogs though-plenty of medicine
I appreciate all the advice, and it is interesting that real life experiences may not necessarily match what the manufacturers say (ie. twist rate to bullet weight pairings). Yes, I may just go buy a bunch of different ammo and try them all out, even at the lower grains. I wonder whether the effectiveness accuracy of a particular round would be impacted by the action of the rifle. I am looking at getting a bolt action CZ 557 in .243 (I heard this a good varmint rifle and also a good varmint), but the ammo options are not great (not to mention they are a bit pricier - almost double the price). I don't remember seeing the VMAX or Varmegeddons or the Vshoks with NBT in .243 (think I saw Powershoks, Sierra Gameking, etc.).
I think it might be a question of what you're hunting, and at what distances. I love 243, but you don't need that much power for groundhogs/coyotes unless you're engaging them from distances I'd never probably bother with. lol Most farms I hunt on, a 200 yards shot is a long shot...but some allow for over 300. I've anchored groundhogs past 300 with a .223, but seldom have the need to. Most shots are 100-175 yards, some as close as 75.
Might also be worth considering-how much practice are you willing to do with a .243, to really get to know what the drop is like once you stretch it out a bit? I don't know what your experience level is, but for price...ammo selection...capability...223 might be a better choice. I'd only look at .243 again (used to own one) if I wanted it to double as a deer rifle but even then, I'd want a standard-weight barrel, not a varmint one. I don't think both barrel types are great for both pursuits.
