hornady 65gr vmax or 75gr vmax

[foxing243]

Hi guys , I own a browning xbolt stainless fluted in 243. 1-10 twist

I have recently got my self a reloading kit but not started loading yet as I have some decisions to make which I cannot seem to find a genuine answer .

I use the 243 for fox control,

I'd be happy. To shoot Mr Fox in the day at 400 yards .
200 yards at night .

So as for the title "hornady 65gr vmax or 75gr vmax"

I know both would do the job but one has clearly gotta have its better advantages , which would you stick with and why ??

Cheers

 

[TheOtherZilla]

I use the 75 Vmax and the 85 Sierra. Both work well.. Why? Been shootin the Sierra 85's for years. Shoots best in my old rifle, a Savage 99.. The 75's shoot best in my CZ... If you are going to start handloading then you need to read up on developing the optimum load for your particular rifle.

 

[potatoe]

I'd shoot whichever one produced the most consistent groups. Out to 400 yards the ballistics are close enough to not really matter between the two, you either get a little less drop with the 65 or a little less wind deflection with the 75 but both dopes should be around 1.5" or less of the other -assuming your pushing them on the high(er) side of each load. Both are hard hitters out of the .243 out to 400, I'd let the gun tell me.

Like zilla said, read up on some of the great load development here on the sight. Many top shooters are on here and share great advice.

 

[1000yardstare]

Have used both the bullets in question in 6mm/250, .243, 6mm Rem, 6AI and quite honestly don`t see that much difference between them on paper or on critters.

As mentioned, your rifle may prefer one over the other but in a half decent rifle your experience will probably be the same as mine. The biggest factor may be availability. Given the rolling shortages over the past decade you may wind up shooting what you can actually buy.

Watch you don`t burn your barrel out working up loads. Stainless won`t give you that much more barrel life than chrome-moly. The .243 is good for about 800 rounds so subtract the shots already down the barrel.

I have been reloading 50 years and found out long ago that the reloading manuals will give you a good starting load. Then a tweak for velocity and/or pressure using a few more groups and you are good to go. Buy the latest Hornady manual and go from there.

Bill

 

[Witchhunter]

Don't be afraid to try the 58 grainers either. at that range (400 yards) the higher BC does not make up for the velocity gained. But, I would pick the one that shoots the best.

 

[Webster]

I have shot many GH with Sierra 75 gr HP and 85 GR HPBT bullets in a 6mm Rem. They worked well. I wouldn't call them super expansion. I now have a 6BR 14 twist and shoot 58 VM, 65 VM and 70 Sierra BK. They are all explosive and accurate. You have a 10 twist barrel that should like heavier bullets but may shoot the lighter ones OK. When you start getting above 80 gr the bullets are usually designed for larger animals.
Whatever you choose I would look for the bullet maker to states they have explosive expansion for varmints and safety. All of the Hornady VMax and Sierra bullets labeled Blitz King (BK) are explosive. Never shot Speer or Nosler. Too many variables. I shot a big GH through the center of the chest with a 68 GR Berger match bullet. The GH ran 15 feet before it died. It's enough work with 3-4 different bullets and 5 powders. My 6BR go to load is the 58 VMax with 8208 or RE-15 powder. I used 4350 and 4831 in my 6mm Rem. I call the 6mm Rem the Rem version of the 243 Win. Custom bullets like the Barts and Berger 68 match bullets pencil hole through a GH. I think it's important to pick a bullet that's always on the shelf in your shooter supply store. I am lucky the Fin Feather Fur store is near where I live.

 

[5spd]

In my 6mms I run the 55g nosler and 65g vmax and since they perform super to 600 yards IMO there is not other reason to change to a heavier bullet for fox to coyote.
Between the 2 you listed Im for the 65g vmax as my personal use on more coyotes than I have documented have dropped to them without a flaw.

 

[foxing243]

brilliant replies there guys!

very much appreciated ..

just want to finish off with what powder between viht 140 a viht 160 would better suit each of the above ???

cheers again guys

 

[stosh]

Shot a doe at 250yds with my new 7mm Rem mag and it was like turning off a light switch! Love new rifle!

 

[potatoe]

With a 65gr or 75gr. v-max

 

[Bangs OH]

brilliant replies there guys!

very much appreciated ..

just want to finish off with what powder between viht 140 a viht 160 would better suit each of the above ???

cheers again guys

140

 

[Bindi2]

Went from 75gn HPs to 58gn VMax when they first came out. All I can say they are messy, will I go to any thing else NO.

 

[BradY]

I use the nosler 55's in a 6BR on foxes. It wont matter what you use just shoot whats accurate. Accuracy level the same, if your going to miss with a 55gr bullet, your probably going to miss with a 65 or 75......

 

[searcher]

Within that range, I'd use a 58 V-Max fueled with RL-15. Less recoil - flatter shooting, less expensive

 

[boltfluter]

My first choice would be an 87 V-max. Great BC and superb accuracy! Have tipped over quite a few coyotes beyond 500yds with great bullet expansion.

Paul

 

[B23]

Just a guess but I'd imagine the OP probably has decided on a bullet by now don't ya think? This is nearly six years old and the OP hasn't been on the site since 2016.

 

[AckleymanII]

Due to throat geometry, I would choose the 75g over the 65g, foxes are going to detonate with either.
H4350 will be an excellent choice.

Over 300, I would sure go with an 87g V max, R#19 with top accuracy loads being in the 3300 fps area.

If you can get your hands on a Grey and Red fox cassette by Johnny Stewart, the foxes will cover you up.