Has anyone tried the 53 gr. Hornady V-Max for coyotes? It has a real high BC of .290. I used it on PDs towards the end of the season this year and the 53 gr. V-Max really decimated the PDs. My Tikka Master Sporter .22-250 with a 1 in 12 twist Brux barrel is super accurate with these bullets. I thought I might try them on coyotes, but would like to hear from anyone who has used them first.
I'm using Lapua brass, neck turned in a chamber with a .255" neck ID. The primers I'm using are CCI 200 that I bought way back in 1987 for $10.10 per 1,000!!! I purchased 5,000 of them at that time. That price included shipping and sales tax!!! I still have about 1,400 of them left. I haven't been using the .22-250 very much in past years, but used it quite a bit this summer shooting some 50 gr. Z-Max bullets and now shooting the 53 gr. V-Max projectiles.
I have tested CFE 223 and IMR 8208 XBR with the 53 gr. V-Max. While I shot some itty-bitty groups with the CFE, it seemed to be way too temperature sensitive for my liking. IMR 8208 XBR didn't seem temperature sensitive, but the IMR 8208 XBR maximum load didn't get up to the velocity I'd like to see. The Max load for 8208 is listed at 33.1 gr. and I get only 3,665 fps muzzle velocity with that load.
I tested a few loads at a bit over the maximum with 8208 XBR and got great accuracy and no outward signs of excessive pressure--YES, I KNOW I'm flirting with possible trouble, but these slightly over the max loads are way more accurate out of my 24" Brux barrel. No discernible case stretching, no hard bolt lift, no cratered primers were noticed during test firing. HOWEVER, while these loads worked in my rifle, I have to caution you to start well below the maximum loads listed in the loading books and work your powder charge weights up in small increments because your rifle may blow up using these charge weights I tested!!!!!
Here's a photo of a target shot at 100 yards using 37.2 gr. of CFE 223:
Here's a photo of a target shot at 100 yards using 35.3 gr. of IMR 8208 XBR:
And finally, here's a photo of a 100 yard target showing a 5-shot group using 35.3 gr. of IMR 8208 XBR:
I'd sure like to hear from anyone who has used the 53 gr. V-Max on coyotes. Thanks in advance.
I'm using Lapua brass, neck turned in a chamber with a .255" neck ID. The primers I'm using are CCI 200 that I bought way back in 1987 for $10.10 per 1,000!!! I purchased 5,000 of them at that time. That price included shipping and sales tax!!! I still have about 1,400 of them left. I haven't been using the .22-250 very much in past years, but used it quite a bit this summer shooting some 50 gr. Z-Max bullets and now shooting the 53 gr. V-Max projectiles.
I have tested CFE 223 and IMR 8208 XBR with the 53 gr. V-Max. While I shot some itty-bitty groups with the CFE, it seemed to be way too temperature sensitive for my liking. IMR 8208 XBR didn't seem temperature sensitive, but the IMR 8208 XBR maximum load didn't get up to the velocity I'd like to see. The Max load for 8208 is listed at 33.1 gr. and I get only 3,665 fps muzzle velocity with that load.
I tested a few loads at a bit over the maximum with 8208 XBR and got great accuracy and no outward signs of excessive pressure--YES, I KNOW I'm flirting with possible trouble, but these slightly over the max loads are way more accurate out of my 24" Brux barrel. No discernible case stretching, no hard bolt lift, no cratered primers were noticed during test firing. HOWEVER, while these loads worked in my rifle, I have to caution you to start well below the maximum loads listed in the loading books and work your powder charge weights up in small increments because your rifle may blow up using these charge weights I tested!!!!!
Here's a photo of a target shot at 100 yards using 37.2 gr. of CFE 223:
Here's a photo of a target shot at 100 yards using 35.3 gr. of IMR 8208 XBR:
And finally, here's a photo of a 100 yard target showing a 5-shot group using 35.3 gr. of IMR 8208 XBR:
I'd sure like to hear from anyone who has used the 53 gr. V-Max on coyotes. Thanks in advance.