22-250 Remington 53 Gr. Hornady V-Max

I didn't know anybody else offered the new 53 gr vmax in .22-250
The Hornady superformance loads I saw were 50 gr.
 
I think they got the numbers mixed up. The 53gr pill is intended for the 223. It has been said that the 53 grain needs at least a 1:12 twist. If they are loading them in 22-250 then crickeys! I'd love to get my hands on some of that medicine.
 
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I think they are the 53 gr. It appears Conley is a custom loading business. They offer different loads than factory offerings and some hard to find calibers.
Anyway these are a bit spendy but would be nice to try.
 
I bought some of the new 53 gr. V-max's for my 1-14 in 220 Swift.

I picked them up at good price, so I figured what the heck, if they don't shoot well, I won't be out much. My Swift shoots the 60's pretty good, so my fingers are crossed.
 
I'd like to know how the 53 gr. pills does especially in 22.250...as it appears that the 52 gr a-max is no longer and I'll need a new recipe. Keep us posted on the loads, etc. Thanks!
 
I e-mailed Hornady about the 53 Gr V-Max. Because I have not been able to find them ( for reloading ) any where. I was told that they are out and are not going to make any till latter this spring.

They should shoot OK in a 1-14 or faster twist barrels as I shoot Sierra's 52 GR HP BT match in my 22-250 with a 1-14 twist barrel and my RRA PP AR with a 1-8 or 1-9 twist. My 22-250 will shoot them in dime size groups at two hundred yards, it also shoots the Sierra 63 GR. SMP's into a quarter size group at two hundred yards.
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My RRA PP will shoot dime size groups with the Sierra 52 GR HPBT Match bullet at one hundred yards.

Not bragging just stating the facts on my rifles so I do not see where 1 more grain in bullet weight would make much difference as far as weight is involved. IMHO..

DAB
 
natesatt and other interested parties--I guess I'll resurrect this old topic because I have been experimenting with the 53 gr. V-Max in my Tikka Master Sporter that has a 1 in 12 twist SS Brux barrel on it. I realized that the 53 gr. V-Max is a long-shanked bullet and that I might have problems stabilizing the 53 grainers. However, that BC of .290 made it seem worthwhile to try to make them work in my 1 in 12 twist barrel. I'm using neck turned Lapua brass, CCI 200 primers (these were purchased in 1986 and still work fine!!!), and the bullets are coated with hBN and seated .020" off the lands.

I tried a number of CFE 223 loads and didn't find any that looked promising, but I had been using IMR 8208 XBR with the 50 gr. Z-Max bullets in this rifle and had a load of that working just great. So, I decided to try 8208 XBR with the 53 gr. V-Max bullets. I couldn't find any load data for the 53 gr. V-Max in the .22-250 so I used the load data for the 52 gr. A-Max and started well below the max and worked up.

Here's the target from the tests I did a couple days ago using 35.3 gr. of 8208 XBR. I used three-shot tests just to get an idea of the capability of these loads and shot them over my chronograph.

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There were two other loads that showed some promise accuracy-wise, but the velocity was between 3,700 fps and 3,730 fps I wanted accuracy and a bit more velocity which the load of 35.3 gr. gave me in the earlier test. Do I loaded up 10 rounds with 35.3 gr. of 8208 XBR and tested them this morning. Here's the first group which was fired from a cold barrel that had 21 shots down the tube for testing done on Monday. Remember, this was a cold barrel on the first shot today.

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Here's the picture of the second group. Yes, shots 1 and 2 did go through the same hole. I could only see one hole in the target from my shooting position 100 yards from the target, so I walked down to the target and unless the second bullet completely missed the target and the 3 foot by 2 foot box I had the target taped to, it went through the same hole as shot #1. That's my story and I'm sticking to it!!!
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I can't wait to see what these 53 gr. bullets do to prairie dogs!!! Can you say MAJOR ACROBATICS!?!?!?!

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My testing with the 53 gr. V-Max and 8208 XBR has been done while temperatures have been between 51º and 56º outside. I plan on using these 53 gr. V-Max loads for everything from prairie dogs to coyotes so temperatures might range from -30º F on up to +105º F. I believe that 8208 XBR is not very sensitive to temperature changes, but since 35.5 gr. of 8208 XBR is listed as the maximum load for the 52 gr. A-Max and this load I worked up is only .2 of a grain below that max I'm also going to retry a load of 35.1 gr. of 8208 XBR and another test will try 35.2 gr. of 8208 XBR just in case the 35.3 gr. load shows pressure signs when it is hot out.
 
Hello all, I am new to this forum, from the great white north Alberta Canada, & been hunting yote's for about 35yrs. To help anyone reg: 53vmax, my rifle is a Savage predator max 1 22-250 , it wears a bushnell elite tactical 2.5x16., and dare I say it is one of the most accurate rifles I have ever owned. My load for 53vmax is 38.8 gr. of CFE 223/ Lapua case/ federal match primer/ and I'm .030 to 035" off lands. This load chrono's 3950 fps. at 55F and 3900fps at 20F. It regularly shoots 1/4 moa @ 100yds 3shots/ 1/2 moa @ 200yds 3 shots & sub 1 inch at 300yds. if I'm steady enough. Pressure is normal in my rifle, bolt lifts easily, no unusual pressure signs. The new Hornady manual shows 38.5gr as max charge, and I'm not sure of the velocity, I'm thinking 3600-3700 fps with a 26" barrel if I'm not mistaken. I don't recommend 38.8gr to anyone without working up the load. I'm 1.2" high @ 100yds. it is still 1.2" high at 200yds. and drops to -2.8" @ 300yds.from point of aim. This gun is a coyote's worst nightmare, hope this helps.
 
Just to add to my post reg: 53 vmax. The hornady manual shows for 52-53 gr. bullets, a 26" barrel rem. 700, 1 in 14 twist/ 38.5 gr. cfe 223 as max at a velocity of 3600 fps. I find that velocity very slow, as my savage max 1 predator 10/110 is 1 in 12 twist and a 24" barrel producing 3900-3950 fps. with 38.8 of cfe 223. Cheers.
 
Originally Posted By: titegroupHello all, I am new to this forum, from the great white north Alberta Canada, & been hunting yote's for about 35yrs. To help anyone reg: 53vmax, my rifle is a Savage predator max 1 22-250 , it wears a bushnell elite tactical 2.5x16., and dare I say it is one of the most accurate rifles I have ever owned. My load for 53vmax is 38.8 gr. of CFE 223/ Lapua case/ federal match primer/ and I'm .030 to 035" off lands. This load chrono's 3950 fps. at 55F and 3900fps at 20F. It regularly shoots 1/4 moa @ 100yds 3shots/ 1/2 moa @ 200yds 3 shots & sub 1 inch at 300yds. if I'm steady enough. Pressure is normal in my rifle, bolt lifts easily, no unusual pressure signs. The new Hornady manual shows 38.5gr as max charge, and I'm not sure of the velocity, I'm thinking 3600-3700 fps with a 26" barrel if I'm not mistaken. I don't recommend 38.8gr to anyone without working up the load. I'm 1.2" high @ 100yds. it is still 1.2" high at 200yds. and drops to -2.8" @ 300yds.from point of aim. This gun is a coyote's worst nightmare, hope this helps.

Fascinating!!! I'm intrigued that it shoots more accurate at 300 yards than at 200 yards. That is also some [beeep] flat trajectory!
 
I don't intend to mislead anyone, but by sub moa @ 300yds. I mean it has many times shot 3 shots under 1" at 300yds. calm conditions, I have a handful of targets that it printed 3/4" at 300yds. Using JBM ballistics program it shows at my recorded velocities, at +1.2" @ 100yds. it still maintains that at 200yds. which I verified, and at300yds-- minus 2.8". I not saying that it shoots tighter at 300yds than 200yds. but its the best I have been able achieve with it so far. Our range only has a 300yd max. backstop for now, most coyotes I shoot are called in closer than 300yds. Thanks for the welcome.
 
I have been buying the 53s for more than a couple of years, and have about 1500 or so.

The BC is so good that it makes you wonder if it's accurately reported. I have been tinkering with the loads and trying to find that right one. But, i am using a 22-250 TC predator Venture with 1:12 twist and 5r rifling. I don't care what that velocity is, i am 100% focused on accuracy. Any load between 3500-3900 that can shoot .3 Moa with that BC should be a type of bullet that until it's over 300yrds I would just put the cross hairs on the shoulder and fire. Like tite said, i don't shoot past 300 most days and would like to be able to pick off a Coyote at 600 occassionally, as long as my partner agree's to go get it. But, typically calling them into 300 isn't to tough, and hopefully the shooting will be a little easier once i get the load, and then create the dope chart for a 6-18 bdc Nikon scope.

I have a load of 36.42gr Varget and get .33moa with a 50gr bt Vmax, but the BC was higher for the 53 and the Hornday loaded ammo for the 223 shoots amazing. My father can barely hit a silver dollar on most days, but the 53 223 had him shooting .5moa without issue in his 223 tc venture, which was stunning.

I have found several loads that were sub .5 moa but not good enough to replace the load i have. I just got the xbr8208 8# jug and based on what i have read and seen, it seems to work well, meter really well, and isn't supposed to be temp sensative and will be working up a load for the 22-250 next month. (i really envy those that don't have to wait for summer to end to shoot without fear of heat stroke) Thanks to those that have shared what they have found so far.

If you are looking for the 53s Sportsmans Wharehouse seems to have them all the time. Not a lot, but a few on the shelf for under $20 every time I am in there.
 
50gr V-Max and 53gr V-Max is total devastation on P.D. out of 22-250! I use IMR 4064 and have great groups! I use the CF&E with my 223. Love it!! Rudy
 
As Tbone AZ stated, out at 300yds. its pretty much high shoulder hold, and drop them. Dumped one last winter 320yds. lasered, held high chest and went through low ribs. The same rifle I mentioned earlier with 50 v-max/ 39.0gr. cfe 223/ ww cases/ fed. match primer/ .030 thou. off lands/ chrono'd 3990fps. avg. @ 55deg.F and 3950 fps. @ 20 deg. F, with consistent 1/4" 3shot 100yd. groups also. It's not till past 300yds. where the 53 vmax really trumps the 50 v-max especially wind drift. Both 50 @ 53 hit to same impact point out to 300yds, past that I think the 53gr. will have the advantage, in wind and drop figures.
 
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