53gr VMAX vs coyotes

[jbhotrod]

Anybody run this bullet for yotes? What cartridge & velocity are you getting, and how do they perform?

 

[varmintshooter]

I use them on groundhogs and they work well. Only killed one yote with them 400yds @3600 from a 223AI I hit the head/neck junction so it was DRT. Fair amount of damage.

 

[OKyote73]

You’ll definitely get some splash on marginal/bone hits but a good bullet for this purpose. My experience is with 22/250 & 22/250ai so don’t know bout less velocity

 

[B23]

The 53gr Vmax is pretty much all I use in my 22in. 1-9tw 223AI and they have worked extremely well on coyotes. Something to keep in mind about the 53gr Vmax is they'll need at least a 1-12tw or faster barrel to stabilize them.

 

[stacy]

I TO HAVE HAD GREAT RESULTS IN A 12 TWIST 223 ACKLEY WITH 53GR V-MAXS

 

[DogBuster]

^^^^^^^^^^^ I HAVE TO AGREE^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

[Texas10]

53 gr V-Max at 3250 fps in my 223 is extremely accurate out to 500 yds and beyond. 4 inch clays at 500 are easy peasy. Don't know the terminal ballistics at that range but you'll definitely hit what you're aiming at.

 

[Bangs OH]

Someone over on LRH claims he's getting 3900+ fps using RL17. I get 3675 with a fairly mild load of Benchmark; real accurate there so I have not tried anything else yet.
Haven't shot any critters with those bullets yet.
Edit to add: .22-250 w/26" barrels.

 

[Phil]

3900 from what?????

 

[22DASHER]

Can get 4100+ out of my 22-250 AI.

 

[Bangs OH]

3900 from what?????

.22-250, not AI.

 

[people]

They work very well. I have not tried them at longer distances. I have used them in a standard .223 with a non max charge of powder. So what ever that gives me in speed.

 

[AckleymanII]

You have to shoot 20 plus coyotes with a bullet to get a real feel for what it the bullet is going to do from all angles and distances.
My worry would be solid bone hits like a hip, thick rib, or shoulder blade.

i can tell you that the 55g Nosler bt is good to go on bones due to the thicker cup and base.

Will be interesting to see how the 53 bullet shakes out, great bc.

223's will produce different results than a 22/250 AI at 50 yards where bullets will want to blow up when they touch hair.

 

[GeorgeS3]

They work well in my 223 and 223ai...

 

[benchracer]

Someone over on LRH claims he's getting 3900+ fps using RL17. I get 3675 with a fairly mild load of Benchmark; real accurate there so I have not tried anything else yet.
Haven't shot any critters with those bullets yet.
Edit to add: .22-250 w/26" barrels.

I am the someone you are referring to. From a 26" barrel, Superformance yields 3579 fps with 69 SMK, using Hodgdon data and an OAL of 2.430". RL-17 yields just north of 3600 with the same OAL.

Hodgdon data shows 3837 from a 24" barrel, well below the 65k limit, with IMR 8208 XBR and 52 AMAX. I am getting 3850ish from a 26" barrel with 8208, 53 VMAX, and a 2.430 OAL and 3900+ with much slower burning RL-17.

The 22-250 has the capacity to utilize powders much slower than the traditional ones and is capable of much greater performance with more modern powders and bullets.

 

[Bangs OH]

Thanks for the input, Benchracer. Not much reloading data out there on the 53 V-Max (I worked off that info on the Hodgdon 52 VM some, too.) Did try 414/760, also RL15, but didn't consider going to a slower-burning powder than those.
Now, it looks like groups open up if I try much more Benchmark. 3900 would be great. Might try some RL17.

 

[benchracer]

Thanks for the input, Benchracer. Not much reloading data out there on the 53 V-Max (I worked off that info on the Hodgdon 52 VM some, too.) Did try 414/760, also RL15, but didn't consider going to a slower-burning powder than those.
Now, it looks like groups open up if I try much more Benchmark. 3900 would be great. Might try some RL17.

You are absolutely right about reloading data. Even Hornady lumps the 53 VMAX in with other bullets, so the data isn't specific. I expected good speed and accuracy with heavy bullets, but was surprised that it was far and away the most accurate powder I tried with the VMAX.

 

[B23]

I recently bought a Kelbly 22-250 that has a 24in. 1-12tw barrel. Considering how well the 53gr Vmax shoots in my 223AI, that will be the first, and hopefully only, bullet I use and I'm thinking RL17 will be the powder I try first.

 

[Phil]

.22-250, not AI.

That makes sense..........

 

[roadkill61]

41 gr cfe gets me 3900 ++ with the 53 v-max., 3/8 5 shot group and 38.5 grains drives a55 BT at 3800 ++. This from a 26 inch barrel in 222-250.