53 gr V-Max vs. Varmageddon performance

[tooter]

Back in the game after a year of dealing with old age health issues. Yippee for cortisone!!

So, have a new single shot build in process based on a necked down, blown forward 40 degree shoulder Grendel, 1-12 tw. barrel with the reamer throat optimized for 53 gr. Varmageddon/V-Max bullets. Can anyone share opinions, comparison experiences or otherwise between these bullets - i.e. accuracy, range, terminal performance?

Nosler sectional density = .152, BC = .303
V-Max sectional density = .151, BC = .290

Aside from paper punching, intended use is for tree line (over long meadows) eastern coyotes and open field groundhogs.

Thanks, Tooter

 

[pacificman]

Seems you might need to try both bullets in YOUR rifle and see what it likes. I do know that the 53gr. v-max
is an awesome bullet for prairie dogs and coyotes. It has been very accurate on paper too. I use the 53gr. v-max
in two rifles one a .223 and the other in my 22-250 and I would not change to any other bullet as it has very good
long range accuracy for me. I wish I could tell you more about the Nosler....guess I would have to try them myself...
but hard to change a good thing with the v-max...

 

[tooter]

Thanks p-man! Good to learn the V-Max is such a good performer. I've no experience with either of these bullets, but now have two boxes of each on order to start the break-in, wring-out trials (after the build is complete and brass is fire formed). I'm guessing I'll be able to push these out a 26" barrel somewhere around 3600+ fps, so if everything is in order they should perform well.

I also just discovered a few leftover boxes of Berger 64 gr.FB Varmint bullets on the shelf that I'll also try. They have an SD of .182 and BC = .287 so, should also be interesting to see what they will do. They were very accurate in a 222 AI Rem Mag barrel, but never tried them in the field on any hogs.

Now just in a waiting period ------ Tooter

 

[B23]

I have been shooting the 53 Vmax out of my 1-9tw 223AI since Hornady first came out with them and they not only shoot exceptionally well but they've been deadly on coyotes, BUT, on other forums I've read plenty about how poorly they perform and how they splash. Not sure if it's because I'm not driving them as fast as say a 22-250 but I have not had one single problem with them.

I recently purchased a 22-250 with a 1-12tw barrel that I plan on using the 53gr Vmax in as well so maybe I'll see some of this "splash" problem in that since it'll be driving them a few hundred fps faster but until that happens, I'll continue to use them.

Never used any of the Nosler Varmageddon bullets but I've used plenty of the Nosler BT's on coyotes and they performed well also.

 

[TheOtherZilla]

I have tried the 53 Vmax in a few of mine.. 50's seem to do just a bit better for grouping.. As far as splashing, I have never shot anything bigger than a coyote with mine.. The Vmax did just fine. But in my 22-250 I use Sierra 52 BTHP bullets.. Extremely accurate and they will blow a pdog apart..

 

[JLT]

FWIW, I don't believe for a second that the tipped Varmageddon has a higher BC than the V-Max. Nosler is notorious for optimistic BCs, with the possible exception of some of the RDFs . . . just sayin'. I must add that I don't have any direct experience with the Nosler 53 gr. tipped Varmageddon, so my comment must come under the heading of speculation.

I have, however, shot a small truckload of the 53 gr. Hornadys and they are one of my favorite .224 bullets. Absolute grenades out of my .22-.250 AI (they really wreck stuff at ~4,000 fps!) and they've proven very accurate out of different twist rate barrels in all of my .224 centerfires. Great bullet.

 

[Ohio Varmint Shooter]

My only experience is with factory loads. When I first got my Savage 223, I bought several different factory loads to see what shot best. One box was Hornady superformance with the 53 gr Vmax. Another box was Varmageddon (probably 50-55 gr)

The V max was one of the best to shoot in my rifle....perhaps anything from 1/2 to 1" groups @ 100 yards (Factory rifle, no upgrades and a $200 scope...fine for groundhogs less than 300 yards) But the varmageddon was shockingly bad. I had trouble getting groups of less than 2". This is not a slam on Nosler. It's just an example of how different rifles prefer different bullets. I'm sure there are guns out there that will be the opposite of mine.

 

[284winner]

Back in the game after a year of dealing with old age health issues. Yippee for cortisone!!

So, have a new single shot build in process based on a necked down, blown forward 40 degree shoulder Grendel, 1-12 tw. barrel with the reamer throat optimized for 53 gr. Varmageddon/V-Max bullets. Can anyone share opinions, comparison experiences or otherwise between these bullets - i.e. accuracy, range, terminal performance?

Nosler sectional density = .152, BC = .303
V-Max sectional density = .151, BC = .290

Aside from paper punching, intended use is for tree line (over long meadows) eastern coyotes and open field groundhogs.

Thanks, Tooter

Unless Nosler has made a newer 53 grain varmageddon other than the flat base version they made, I believe the bc is .25 on those. Looks like you have your numbers and comparisons but I haven't seen any data from Nosler indicating a .3 bc on that bullet. Very impressive if it's fact as the Vmax is an impressive bullet.

 

[Wirelessguy2005]

Nosler shows a .303 BC for the 53 grain Bullet on their website

 

[B23]

I think Nosler makes very good bullets but their BC's generally seem to be rather inflated. I'm not sure if they, maybe, use a different method to measure the BC of their bullets but they, often, are less than they advertise and sometimes it's quite a bit less.

 

[284winner]

Nosler shows a .303 BC for the 53 grain Bullet on their website

I see that. Very nice.

 

[Wirelessguy2005]

My experincewith Nosler has been the exact opposite, in my opinion they tend to understate the BC on their small caliber bullets (17,20,22)

I think Nosler makes very good bullets but their BC's generally seem to be rather inflated. I'm not sure if they, maybe, use a different method to measure the BC of their bullets but they, often, are less than they advertise and sometimes it's quite a bit less.

 

[284winner]

I think Nosler makes very good bullets but their BC's generally seem to be rather inflated. I'm not sure if they, maybe, use a different method to measure the BC of their bullets but they, often, are less than they advertise and sometimes it's quite a bit less.

I never really noticed that smaller caliber BCs were more reliable than the larger caliber in Nosler bullets. I did notice that there newest bullets in the RDF seem very true to the published numbers. Their LRAB bullets are way off. Seems in the last couple years, they have improved on their published vs actual BCs.

 

[ranger3]

I shoot the 53 VMAX and both my 22-250 and 3 rifles 223 s I could not be happier they work well on prairie dogs and are very accurate. , a couple of my friends also should 253 V-Max and are very happy with him don't think you can go wrong with that bullet.

 

[284winner]

I shoot the 53 VMAX and both my 22-250 and 3 rifles 223 s I could not be happier they work well on prairie dogs and are very accurate. , a couple of my friends also should 253 V-Max and are very happy with him don't think you can go wrong with that bullet.

Seems to be the consensus.

 

[GrocMax]

I find little difference between the 53vmax and the Nosler 53 vg, same results.

 

[Midnightmedic]

Sorry guys couldn’t resist. Ar15, 1:8”twist; 53gr vmax at 3250fps: p-dog parts at 250 yards.

 

[tooter]

Gads, the 53 V-Max sure has an impressive following! I hope my new PacNor barrel also likes them.

Surprised though that there's not more folks with hands-on Varmageddon experience.

Time will tell, but thanks to all for your contributions and commentary. Tooter

 

[BleedsBlue]

I found the varmageddon to be more accurate along with more speed when loaded long. .010 jump seemed to work good.

For punching paper both are good performing. For coyote i have found that the cheap Hornady 55gn spire point is the best. After stockpiling thousands of the others.

 

[Ironworker]

I've shot Prairie Dogs with both bullets. Both Bullets blow Prairie dogs up just fine. I like the boat tail on the V-Max.