Don't buy any more than a box to try them. Your gun may not like them.
Experience with Hornady V-Max bullets
- Thread starter SteveOak
- Start date
WyleWD
Silver $$ Contributor
That is sad. To give up shooting when so many of the Hornady's shoot so well, both in competition and hunting.
I have tons of experience with the great Sierra 85 BTHP in the 243 Win in several different rifles. This bullet is a multi-critter hunter's dream - I have used it successfully on varmint, predators and eastern white tail deer. One load - one bullet for all critters.
The familiarity and confidence that one's achieves with such a singular system is the reason I believe I was so successful hunting deer. It's a shame that more new hunters are draw away from the 243 Win with all the paper ballistic marketing of the "newest and greatest" since the 243 Win can do all for the one-gun varmint, predator, and deer hunter.
I also used the 80 Sierra Blitz bullet for long range varmint hunting before adopting the 85 BTHP as my "do all" bullet. Extremely accurate and outstanding terminal performance of varmints.
After failures from long extended testing with a half dozen calibers and a dozen diff rifles using Hornady ... And getting excellent Loads quickly with Berger bullets. In those very same calibers...
I feel obligated out of kindness to recommend you Not shed many tears on my behalf. Lol
SteveOak
Gold $$ Contributor
So 9 twist or slower?
Those Hornaday 68bthp ran very good out of my 20" 9tw to 525 yards. After that distance they went transonic and at 600 yards the group was pretty bad.
Now the Nosler 70 RDF is another story, with the BC of that bullet you got quite a bit of extra distance with accuracy out of it.
I know this is about the Hornaday vmax bullets and soon to be getting around to sending the 87vmax down ran in my 6br.
Testing mode.
Now the Nosler 70 RDF is another story, with the BC of that bullet you got quite a bit of extra distance with accuracy out of it.
I know this is about the Hornaday vmax bullets and soon to be getting around to sending the 87vmax down ran in my 6br.
Testing mode.
They work Fine, in a 1-10 Twist .243 Win Tikka, But I could NOT get, "Repeatable" Group's from, my 1-7.5 Twist, 6 XC Custom Rifle that, "Hammers", most of the "Good",.. Sierra or Berger, Bullets,.. Consistently !
AGREE with, Webster !
searcher
Gold $$ Contributor
SAY IT ISN'T SO!
searcher
Gold $$ Contributor
I had the same experiences using the target bullets - so I never use them at all. But the V-Maxes, mated with the right powder for the tube, are pretty amazing bullets. For varmints, I shoot them in .17, .20 .224 and 6mm in various weights. The only one ever tried that I was unhappy with was the 87. I still have a few other 6mm tubes I can try them in - so I haven't gotten rid of them yet.....
hoz53
Gold $$ Contributor
that may be a little strong but its not a stretch to say theres a good chance i wont buy another hornady bullet. mabie those new berger copies will work though
What is one man's poison is another man's treat!
For more years that I can remember, I used Sierra bullets exclusively and never had an issue with them in multiple calibers. When their supply began to "dry up", I turned to Nosler grimly due to the costs. When their supply began to "dry up", I turned to Hornady even though I have never been a fan of their rifle bullets.
To my surprise, I discovered the 60 Vmax for the 223 Rem (8") twist and this bullet out shot everything else in my Tikka's. The 55 Vmax also performs well with my 12" twist rifles in 223 Rem, yet the 50 Vmax did not.
As said in a prior post, for some reason I could never get the 87 Vmax to perform in my 243's. However, the 75 Vmax works well so go figure.
The bottom line is that the supply of Hornady bullets have been abundant at least around here even when other brands have not. In addition, they typically are much less expensive than their counter part. The best bullet in the world isn't worth squat if you can't obtain it or have to reduce you shooting because it's too expensive. Therefore, I wouldn't rule out any Hornaday bullet, even the 87 Vmax, until you test it in your rifles IF you can't get you proven bullet.
chuckshooter
Silver $$ Contributor
I've had really good luck with the 6 mm 87 grain VMAX in my 6mm Ai Rem. Mine is a 10 twist, and I wonder about those that couldn't get this bullet to shoot, what was the twist rate of their Barrel?
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searcher
Gold $$ Contributor
My "non-shooter" of 87's is an 8
7 and 8 twist i tried them in on a ar15. A 9 twist criterion on my savage. These bullets are known to shoot like crap. Thats why they are coming out with a copy of the 69 and 77gr Sierra bullets.
If you cant beat them join them.
Fast14riot
Gold $$ Contributor
Go for a flat base bullet instead. 70TNT is surprisingly accurate
Curious....pls define "pretty amazing" in terms of 5 round group size.
I'm looking for well under half moa at 100 yd and holding under moa to 800 yds. (my usual max distance) on steel.
I'm not looking at exploding gopher heads in my definition of "pretty amazing."
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