What are you guys using for 53g Vmax in .223. I hear they are the best all around Vmax for .223. I planned on starting with H335. Hows the superformance powder? I plan on Coyote hunting January and February and I need a good round to reach out far if needed. Want good velocity too. Thanks!
53g Vmax load data suggestions for .223 26" 1/9 twist
- Thread starter stinnett1981
- Start date
+1 on benchmark and blc-2.
I'm using a nearly full case of H4895 with the 53Vmax and shooting them through 1/8 twist barrels. I tried 8208xbr, Benchmark, and some others but I got the most velocity and same accuracy from H4895.
Jason
And I've actually found the Hornady Superformance ammo to be more than acceptable in quite a few rifles.
Jason
And I've actually found the Hornady Superformance ammo to be more than acceptable in quite a few rifles.
do you guys always use benchrest primers? I have been using regular federal 205
H 335 is an excellent powder for the 223 as is Benchmark, H4895, and Varget. I don't believe you can go wrong with any of these.
I've used the Hornady 50 and 55 VMax's and they shoot very well out of my rifles. I also like the Nosler 50 and 55 grain BT's. However all my 223's have 12" twists.
I use Federal 205 match primers. these shot the best out of my rifles when compared to Remington 7 1/2 and CCI BRs.
I've found the 223 and extremely easy cartridge to find an accurate load since many powder / bullet combinations do well.
I've used the Hornady 50 and 55 VMax's and they shoot very well out of my rifles. I also like the Nosler 50 and 55 grain BT's. However all my 223's have 12" twists.
I use Federal 205 match primers. these shot the best out of my rifles when compared to Remington 7 1/2 and CCI BRs.
I've found the 223 and extremely easy cartridge to find an accurate load since many powder / bullet combinations do well.
1 in 9.......why not shoot somesthing heavier and take full advantage of that twist???
Your barrel will dictate your powder choice by the accuracy you receive but I would certainly throw Vihtavuori N133 in the test with that weight in that case. Good luck and enjoy the ride! 
boltgunluvr said:
I do. I load 69g SMK's with varget and it shoots pretty much 1 ragged hole 5 shot groups at 100 yards. I have some 70g bergers, but havent tried them out yet. Im gonna load some 53g and 40g Vmax. I bought some benchmark a H4895 powder today before I came to work. Im loading them up Saturday morn a going shooting that afternoon (if there is no rain!!!). Im just gonna load the 53g Vmax. Probably 50 rounds. The rifle loves the 69g SMK .005 off lands (2.275 COAL). I have read that the Vmax bullets dont like being seated that close to the lands. What do you guys suggest about load development with the 53g Vmax. Should I start out .005 off the lands or should i load up several different seating depths? And for powder, should I start out around a medium-high charge or medium-low charge? I want to try both powder saturday. Or should I pick one powder and just test that saturday with different seating depths and powder charges? With the 69g SMK I got lucky! My first 20 rounds I loaded them .005 with a medium-low powder charge and it shot sub-moa. I slowely increased powder till I was shooting 1 ragged hole 5 shot groups! Let me know what you guys think. Thanks!
Just a reference...26 gr of Varget for 53 gr SMK.
stinnett1981 said:
Me personally, I always start at .015 off the lands. I have found more loads quicker at that seating depth than any other. As far as loads, they say 10% below max. Case in point, I used a 4064 load in my 22-250. It was one I through together referencing loading manuals. It was .4grns under max according to the Hodgdon website. It left a shiny ejector mark just enough you could see it. The problem is that it was really accurate! :
Oh well, back to the drawing board. 
24.7g of Benchmark, 2.280 COAL (.005 off lands), Fed 205, WIN brass and the 53g Vmax shot great guys! I tried it out several weeks ago. I just forgot to post it.
I found out the 60g Vmax with the flat base shoot even better! They are flat out awesome. They shoot as good as the 69g Sierra Match Kings. Some 5 shot groups as good as .35 MOA. I dont know why they shoot so good? Im thinking its because of the flat base. Thats the reason why I brought this old thread back to life.
My question....What is the difference between flat base and boat tail bullets when it comes to accuracy and ballistics? Long range and short range?
I found out the 60g Vmax with the flat base shoot even better! They are flat out awesome. They shoot as good as the 69g Sierra Match Kings. Some 5 shot groups as good as .35 MOA. I dont know why they shoot so good? Im thinking its because of the flat base. Thats the reason why I brought this old thread back to life.
My question....What is the difference between flat base and boat tail bullets when it comes to accuracy and ballistics? Long range and short range?
Shhhhhhhhhhhh! they are both accurate....
Don't tell anyone ! lol everybody is out of stock anyway.
I e-mailed the Hornady folks and asked them why don't they sell the 53's and 60's in 250 ct. boxes?
One of the Hornady's answered the e-mail personally and said that they were thinking about it. That was a couple of
years ago...don't hold your breath on that...
The 223 with a 1-9 twist is great with both
The 22-250 with a 1-12 twist is also great with both.
The hardest hitting load in a PD town for me is a 22-250, 60 Grain V-Max, Varget, WLR, Nosler brass.
You can see the hits thru the scope. The hot loads with Superformance kicks too much. You miss the "show".
The flat based bullets stabilize quicker at shorter distances. Most 100-300 yard benchrest shooters use flat based bullets.
The .223 with IMR8208, 53 V-Max, Lake city brass, CCI450 Primers is awesome. The 53's are best in a 1-9 twist.
The effective range for the 53's 400+ easily.
The effective range for the 60's is 300+
That is for me..In a dogtown I just walk closer and shoot a higher % kill shots. It's usually too windy. The 53 has a higher BC than the 60's !
Don't tell anyone ! lol everybody is out of stock anyway.
I e-mailed the Hornady folks and asked them why don't they sell the 53's and 60's in 250 ct. boxes?
One of the Hornady's answered the e-mail personally and said that they were thinking about it. That was a couple of
years ago...don't hold your breath on that...
The 223 with a 1-9 twist is great with both
The 22-250 with a 1-12 twist is also great with both.
The hardest hitting load in a PD town for me is a 22-250, 60 Grain V-Max, Varget, WLR, Nosler brass.
You can see the hits thru the scope. The hot loads with Superformance kicks too much. You miss the "show".
The flat based bullets stabilize quicker at shorter distances. Most 100-300 yard benchrest shooters use flat based bullets.
The .223 with IMR8208, 53 V-Max, Lake city brass, CCI450 Primers is awesome. The 53's are best in a 1-9 twist.
The effective range for the 53's 400+ easily.
The effective range for the 60's is 300+
That is for me..In a dogtown I just walk closer and shoot a higher % kill shots. It's usually too windy. The 53 has a higher BC than the 60's !
DennisH said:
range? Im shooting only at 100 yards with those. Havent tried anything with them.
I was told flat base bullets are more accurate in short distance.
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