53 V-Max in .223 AI

[centershot]

In my opinion, this bullet should work well in this or a standard chamber. I have tried just about every applicable powder. My question is, has anyone found this bullet to be sensitive to where the bullet is seated from the lands? I am shooting it in a 26 inch, 12 twist barrel.

 

[John Russell]

In my opinion, this bullet should work well in this or a standard chamber. I have tried just about every applicable powder. My question is, has anyone found this bullet to be sensitive to where the bullet is seated from the lands? I am shooting it in a 26 inch, 12 twist barrel.

Secant ogives can be fussy to get to shoot, whereas tangent ogives are much more forgiving.
I have had problems with the 53 V-Max, which is a long radius secant ogive design.
Nosler has recently come out with a long radius tangent design, the .224" 53gr Varmageddon. I have ordered 500 of them.
https://www.nosler.com/varmageddon-bullet/

 

[pacificman]

I'm using the 53 v-max in my 22-250 with 28 inch barrel and 12 twist...zero free bore. My rifle did not
want them close to the lands...they like being 15 thousands away from lands. I think
John Russell is right ...and I would say if you can't get the v-max dialed in give the Noslers
a try.

 

[Berger.Fan222]

Having measured the BCs, the 53 VMAX is not really much higher than the 55 VMAX from the rifles I load for, and the 55 VMAX is much less fussy.

 

[Texas10]

Or try the 53 grain HP from Sierra. P/N 1400

 

[GrocMax]

You may have marginal stability at sea level and heavy air in a 12 twist. They shot good for me in 9 and 10 twist with a light jump. They have a speed advantage over the 55's, quite a bit less bearing surface. The newer crop of long skinny higher BC varmint bullets really need a 10 twist to fully stabilize and get the full BC value. Plus some extra spin rate adds Snertability.

 

[NCVarhtr]

I have used the .223 AI for around 20 Years. Really like that little cartridge a lot. Had four at one time--down to three now. When I decided that I wanted to try the 53 GR. V-Max, I was told that you needed a 10" twist. I tried it in a couple of my 12" twist barrel and groups were large. I called Hornady and they said that a 12" twist was marginal at sea level. So, I put a 10" twist on one of the rifles and it worked perfectly. I like Benchmark or IMR 8208XBR for that weight bullet and I'm seating them about .005 off the lands getting around 3625 from a 24" barrel. The 53 Gr. V-Max is a great bullet. Really good BC and very accurate.

 

[AckleymanII]

Great Info, NCVarhtr! They were just OK in my 12 T 223 at 3500 fps.

 

[pacificman]

I guess living and shooting at 4400ft elevation has some advantage.... I was concerned with 12 twist also
but they are shooting very well for me and at the longer ranges too.

 

[GrocMax]

Above 2500-3000 ft elevation and summer a 12 twist might work fine, but its touchy at sea level and heavy air.

 

[centershot]

I am at 2700 feet. I did order some Varmageddons from Sportsman's Warehouse in 55 grain. I actually tried the 55 Blitzking and they shot well. A bit pricey though.

 

[Knotwild]

I am having good luck with the 55 grain Varmageddon and Benchmark in a 5.56 chambered AR, 9 twist. I seated them as far out as I could and they shot terrible. When I increased the jump, it began to shoot good.

 

[JohnD]

They shoot very well in my .22 BR 10 twist but for what ever reason will not handle as much Varget as a 55 gr. Ballistic Tip.

John

 

[stacy]

I'M AT 1000 FT AND MY 12 TWIST LOVES 53GR V-MAX W/8208 SHOOT SOME TINY GROUPS IN MY RIFLES THE 53GR OUT PREFORM THE 55 GR V-MAX FROM PAPER TO CRITTERS

 

[centershot]

I guess I should have stated that this is in a bolt gun.

 

[varmit_hunter]

I am at 2700 feet. I did order some Varmageddons from Sportsman's Warehouse in 55 grain. I actually tried the 55 Blitzking and they shot well. A bit pricey though.

Hi look at powder valley on the sale add. 500ct 55gr bking.for 75.00 hope this is the bullet. I have 22 250AI 1@12 mine shoots them. I shoot 52gr Berger hp. But I will be buying some nosler too. My Ar15 1@8 20 in predator rifle will drive tacks with 53 gr v max.

 

[Phil]

Secant ogives can be fussy to get to shoot, whereas tangent ogives are much more forgiving.
I have had problems with the 53 V-Max, which is a long radius secant ogive design.
Nosler has recently come out with a long radius tangent design, the .224" 53gr Varmageddon. I have ordered 500 of them.
https://www.nosler.com/varmageddon-bullet/

Interesting...........


I may have to try some of these........

 

[DogBuster]

My 223AI is a 9T/3G P-N 28" full cylinder.....Savage Target action......

the 53 V max works just fine.......my p/dog fields are at around 6000'

P/dogs have never complained....also use 55 Nozler BTs......I like the

looks of the 53 gr Varmageddon...claims to be flatter the the 53 V max...

the 55 V max.....compared to the 53 V max......in live target field tests.......

drops like a rock......same 223AI & same charge.......not for me.....

 

[Someoldguy]

I have a 12 twist Zastava that won't shoot the 53 grain V-max well at all. My Stag AR with a 4 MOA reactive sight and a 9 twist shoots them better. And that's not good.

 

[ranger3]

I shoot the 53 gr. VMAX in an 8 twist 223, w 25.5 gr. Benchmark . They are the best bullet I have shot in this gun.