Hornady 50 gr VMax Max Charge (.222 & IMR-4198)

[222Jim]

Hoping to get some real world advice as I design and assemble a charge ladder test.

The Hornady Handloading manual lists the maximum charge as 21.0 gr of IMR-4198 for a .222 Remington under a 50 gr VMax bullet. For many reasons we're all familiar with, other bullet manufacturers list different maximum charges for their bullets. But I noticed Hornady's 21.0 gr stands out by a lot from the others, i.e. other maximums are Berger @ 20.1, Nosler @ 20.0, Sierra @ 20.5, and Speer @ 20.0. And, QuickLoad has SAAMI MAP @ 20.8 gr.

I like to include ladder rungs (0.20 gr rungs in this case) up to maximum charge, and then 1 rung over maximum while carefully watching for pressure signs. Then if/when I see pressure signs I back off 1 rung going forward and disassemble the un-shot cartridges at home. But this 21.0 maximum, if indeed a little too hot for whatever reason, could leave me with a lot of cartridges I need to disassemble.

Hence my question.......any advice based on real world experience on this powder/bullet combination in a .222 Remington would be appreciated.

 

[JSH]

Different bullets different loads, same with rifles bore and throat variations, powder included there as well, primer, case etc.
That’s why you see variables from different sources.
I would just use that as a top end load. Most times I let the chrono tell me what it likes.

 

[K22]

When I shot the 222 Rem, IMR 4198 was my go-to powder and gave me the most consistent results and best accuracy.

21.0 grains is over the max. in several reloading manuals, e.g., Speer, Nosler, Lyman but with different bullets. I have always preferred the bullet mfg.'s load data when using their bullets since they tested them. However, as with all reloading, working up the load and noting pressure signs should always be observed. Perhaps, because of the secant ogive with the 50 Vmax, it can tolerate that load safely. But the load still needs to be carefully worked up if you want to approach maximum because the slightest change such a primer, seating depth can affect pressure and at max pressure level, there is less safety margin.

I found that 19 to 19.5 gains gave me the most consistent performance albeit with Sierra and Speer bullets. Most of the time, I found that the best loads performance wise is somewhere around the midpoint of the load range.

 

[ggshoots]

I have run `19.8gr with Sierra bullets for many years. Great load. Not sure on The Vmax.

 

[222Jim]

When I shot the 222 Rem, IMR 4198 was my go-to powder and gave me the most consistent results and best accuracy.

21.0 grains is over the max. in several reloading manuals, e.g., Speer, Nosler, Lyman but with different bullets. I have always preferred the bullet mfg.'s load data when using their bullets since they tested them. However, as with all reloading, working up the load and noting pressure signs should always be observed. Perhaps, because of the secant ogive with the 50 Vmax, it can tolerate that load safely. But the load still needs to be carefully worked up if you want to approach maximum because the slightest change such a primer, seating depth can affect pressure and at max pressure level, there is less safety margin.

I found that 19 to 19.5 gains gave me the most consistent performance albeit with Sierra and Speer bullets. Most of the time, I found that the best loads performance wise is somewhere around the midpoint of the load range.

Interesting observation about the secant ogive on VMax. If the secant ogive reduces the dynamic engraving force, a higher charge could be safe.

And, I've also found my best loads in the 18.8 to 19.4 gr of IMR-4198 with 50 - 55 gr Berger, Nosler and Sierra bullets. I'm beginning to convince myself to focus on this range, maybe up to 20.0 gr, with these VMax bullet.

 

[243winxb]

19.3 max with 50 gr. & Winchester brass.

 

[K22]

Interesting observation about the secant ogive on VMax. If the secant ogive reduces the dynamic engraving force, a higher charge could be safe.

And, I've also found my best loads in the 18.8 to 19.4 gr of IMR-4198 with 50 - 55 gr Berger, Nosler and Sierra bullets. I'm beginning to convince myself to focus on this range, maybe up to 20.0 gr, with these VMax bullet.

To my way of reasoning, all the velocity and energy gain with higher charges does no good unless you can hit what you are aiming at. Given the nature of this cartridge, it is designed for high precision purposes so precision become a priority in my opinion whereas as deer cartridge can tolerate less precision.

The 222 Rem is one of the all-time great cartridges and mine shot well with a variety of bullets (50 - 52 grains) using IMR-4198 at the mid load density range. After decades of use I eventually switched to the 223 Rem but I surely miss the 222 Rem.

If you hunt with the 222, the 50 gain Sierra Blitz Varminter shot sub 1/2 moa in my Rem 700 Sporter. This is a flat base bullet, and it may be one of the reasons is shot so well out to 200 yards or so. The terminal performance on varmints was impressive with this bullet.

 

[222Jim]

To my way of reasoning, all the velocity and energy gain with higher charges does no good unless you can hit what you are aiming at. Given the nature of this cartridge, it is designed for high precision purposes so precision become a priority in my opinion whereas as deer cartridge can tolerate less precision.

The 222 Rem is one of the all-time great cartridges and mine shot well with a variety of bullets (50 - 52 grains) using IMR-4198 at the mid load density range. After decades of use I eventually switched to the 223 Rem but I surely miss the 222 Rem.

If you hunt with the 222, the 50 gain Sierra Blitz Varminter shot sub 1/2 moa in my Rem 700 Sporter. This is a flat base bullet, and it may be one of the reasons is shot so well out to 200 yards or so. The terminal performance on varmints was impressive with this bullet.

Have you any experience with the 55 gr Sierra Blitzking bullets? I picked up an unopened box of 500 at an estate sale for $50. They've been parked on a shelf in my loading room for 3 or 4 years and think I should give them a try before they end up in another estate sale

 

[K22]

Have you any experience with the 55 gr Sierra Blitzking bullets? I picked up an unopened box of 500 at an estate sale for $50. They've been parked on a shelf in my loading room for 3 or 4 years and think I should give them a try before they end up in another estate sale

No. I used 50 or 52 grain bullets in my 222 Rem which had a 14" twist. However, I do not see why the 55 wouldn't work with some focused load development.

 

[JSH]

I got in to the 222 late in the game. Always heard how good it was, so by accident I bought one. Played with 36-60 grain bullets and a multitude of powders. I have a fairly good size library which includes a lot of early manuals. I tried some of the old data, found it to be interesting. Probably have used/tried at least a dozen powders now. Some better than others, but the 222 never gave me any groups that were real ugly, worst probably 2”@100. Most were no bigger than 11/2, no matter the powder and a good 50 grain bullet.

 

[Jrjones]

Ive shot my 788 222 w 4198 and 50gr hornady sp sx bullets for over 20 years. I’ll bet my scale was stuck on 20grs for a long time as a kid. Was never better served w any other bullet for varmints, that dam cheap ole sx works awesome. Love it. was a good coyote fur load. I wldnt bother w the 55gr myself. Work up your own load an try it

 

[358WCF]

If you're concerned about pulling excessive loads apart, why not do a 10-20 round 1 or 2 shot per charge weight ladder in 2/10ths increments from maybe 19.2gr to see if there's pressure to 21gr? Take it from there going up or down shooting groups.

In a long gone Sako, 19.8gr shot real well under a Hornady 50SX in RP brass with 205M. Records say I went as high as 21 gr, but backed it down to 19.8. If you have some 3031 or W748 they also did almost as well as 4198 with 52-53gr match bullets.

 

[moorepower1]

Mine likes 20.5 of H4198 with the 50 vmax, in 3 different rifles, an L46, an L461 varmint and a Howa mini in .222.