.224 53 Gr. VMax... WHY???

[JLT]

I have an older Colt AR with a 24" 1:9" twist barrel that shoots them amazingly well - 3/4" 5-shot groups at 200 yds. But they "blowup" in my AR with a 26" 1:7.7 Krieger barrel, only about 30% ever get tot the target.

That's interesting. I shoot the 53 V-Max out of a .22-.250 AI, a 1:8 twist at that, at really silly speeds and haven't lost one yet.

With respect to the original question, I've found the 53 gr. V-Max to be reliably precise, it delivers good terminal performance for its intended use and it's a good value. Is it the best in class? I dunno, but it works pretty well.

 

[centershot]

The 53 v-max cost less $$.

 

[urbanrifleman]

The 53 v-max cost less $$.

I've got 55 blitzkings on sale. I was thinking about buying 10000.

 

[B23]

Been shooting the 53 Vmax in 9tw 223 and 223AI since they first came out. Also shoot them in my Kelbly 22-250 w/Brux 18in 12tw. Those 53 Vmax are my favorite 22 caliber bullet. They've always shot good for me in the guns I shoot them in. Are they better than the 55gr SBK, probably half a dozen one, six the other. Those 53's are a bit longer bullet and have a little better BC than the 55 SBK but they're so close in performance I'd say try both and pick the one that shoots best for you then go buy a bunch and have at it.

Though, I've never had any trouble making Vmax, Amax, or ELD-M's shoot well, Sierra bullets, especially their MK line, always shoot very well and can be one of the most forgiving bullets I've ever used when it comes to seating depth. That's not to say the Hornady's aren't too but I think the Sierra's are just a little easier.

 

[3Ackleys]

The 55gr BK BC is closer to .300 G1 vs the advertised number. Shoots flatter than the inflated BC of the 53gr Horn......in same velocity/rifles.

Sierra is one of the only companies who is conservative with BC numbers. Brian Litz has confirmed this as well.

Litz says: 53 Vmax= .254 G1. 55 BK= .252 G1.
Pages 313 & 314 Of his book, Modern Adv. in L.R. shooting Vol. II

 

[screaminweasil]

Litz says: 53 Vmax= .254 G1. 55 BK= .252 G1.
Pages 313 & 314 Of his book, Modern Adv. in L.R. shooting Vol. II

Thanks for that, I knew I probably miffed the number.

Point is and was that Hornady's inflated .290 G1 for the 53gr is Typical hornady inflation

 

[JohnD]

Not to derail the original subject but wonder how close Nosler’s advertised .303 bc is on they’re 53 gr. Varmageddon?

John

 

[moorepower]

They are explosive, they are accurate and they are less expensive, often a dime or more a shot.

 

[screaminweasil]

Not to derail the original subject but wonder how close Nosler’s advertised .303 bc is on they’re 53 gr. Varmageddon?

John

It's not close.
real life is somewhere around .240 G1

 

[wkdickinson]

That's interesting. I shoot the 53 V-Max out of a .22-.250 AI, a 1:8 twist at that, at really silly speeds and haven't lost one yet.

With respect to the original question, I've found the 53 gr. V-Max to be reliably precise, it delivers good terminal performance for its intended use and it's a good value. Is it the best in class? I dunno, but it works pretty well.

When I contacted Hornaday about the "blowing up" problem, they felt that being a cut riffled barrel might also be a factor.

 

[redrockranger]

Is this bullet better than all of the others in the weight range?

test them. Draw your own conclusion. Your a P. E . ? Don't engineers experiment ?

 

[DogBuster]

Lots of talk. Show me target.

my targets have fur.......leave 'em in the field for the birds & coyotes

 

[AckleymanII]

The 53's make fantastic coyote bullets, 3700 fps.

The Sierra Blitz kings use a match grade bullet jacket, same as the 52 and 53g Sierra match kings. 55g Spt bt, and 55g BTHP Costing a tad more. For this reason, a serious accuracy freek may opt for the Sierra's.

Sierra match jacket uniformity is legendry, money in the bank.

Having said that, the 53g V max has performed very well in accuracy, but not in the tiny, tiny bug holes that the sierra's have....22 PPC tells all.

 

[JB10]

Lots of talk. Show me target.

Here is a 5 shot group in a 223 with the 53 vmax. This was a throw together load at 100 yards. They do shoot. This is out of my friends rifle he uses for coyotes. I told him i could play arround some and see what i could get but he said was good enough for a kill shot.

 

[Big_Daddy]

Lots of talk. Show me target.

I have been shooting the 53gr V-Max since they came out.
Love them, at least in my builds.
They perform very well at distance also.
Last week I had a confirmed PD kill at 593.4 yards.

This type of debate rages on at our club regularly.
Bottom line shoot what works for you!

 

[rockhound78]

Had a Bartlein 1-8" that would disintegrate the 53 Vmax about 40% of the time. Running them close to 3850 fps. Thought I had a GREAT group!!

 

[Dgd6mm]

Had a Bartlein 1-8" that would disintegrate the 53 Vmax about 40% of the time. Running them close to 3850 fps. Thought I had a GREAT group!!

What is your barrel length?

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I've got 55 blitzkings on sale. I was thinking about buying 10000.

The blitzkings are a good bullet for sure

 

[6bra1k]

Is this bullet better than all of the others in the weight range?

define "better "
i have a 14 twist that loves 52/53 gr bullets.
when they quit the zombie line(zmax) they dumped the bullets cheap and i bought over 1500 of the 50 zmax...cause they shoot well but not like 52/53.
zmax has a green top/vmax has a red

 

[urbanrifleman]

I bought 2000 of the 55 bk for myself. They are actually cheaper than the vmax.