Hornady VMax no penetration!?

[Homerange]

Sorry time difference and all!!, just to clarify yes it was kangaroo. Seems I was mistaken, I was under the impression that Hornady VMax was the equivalent polymer tipped projectile to a Nosler BT and from the responses that doesn’t seem the case my apologies, I don’t have a MV as I ceased using after the first night, I’m a commercial shooter so all shots have to be head shot for the carcass to used in human consumption and comply with regulations. For my regular load I’m using a howa with a 1in8 twist and with the nosler 55gn BT and 27.4 BM2 and at 200 yards they are still eye poppers. Just couldn’t understand why even on small Roos (fox head) and at 100yards the VMax would blow a tennis ball size crater that was less then 1/4 inch deep and just maim not kill. So not something you want to happen when your trying to harvest 40-50 carcasses on a good night! Seems I was mistaken that they would rival a nosler BT… just wish I could get my usual supply of nosler but seems everyone is in the same boat with shortages

Consider the 50gr BT as we have excellent results with them from a 223 on all light varminting and would have no hesitation in recommending them for square on headshots.

A little story if I may....was given a small sheet of AR500 1/4" armor plate from a C130 as the NZAF were swapping to Kevlar. Propped it up at 100yds and fired a 308 180gr Norma at it which made a small dent whereas the 223 Model 7 with 50gr BT's went straight through ! !

 

[jk80]

skinned my last coyote in 1984, will not skin another till I kill a solid black one.

I know what you mean. Hardest, stinkingest animal I've ever skinned. I've done two, the first one was at the end of the hunt. It was cold and I liked to never get the hide off. Someone said to skin them while still warm. Not much difference. Most around me aren't worth skinning anymore anyway.

 

[Ozshot]

Consider the 50gr BT as we have excellent results with them from a 223 on all light varminting and would have no hesitation in recommending them for square on headshots.

A little story if I may....was given a small sheet of AR500 1/4" armor plate from a C130 as the NZAF were swapping to Kevlar. Propped it up at 100yds and fired a 308 180gr Norma at it which made a small dent whereas the 223 Model 7 with 50gr BT's went straight through ! !

How do you find the 50s in the wind though? Do you find a huge difference in holdover between 50s and 55s?

 

[Homerange]

How do you find the 50s in the wind though? Do you find a huge difference in holdover between 50s and 55s?

Has to be a good 90 degree breeze to worry them much. We don't bother with the 55gr at all and although I'm temped to get 55 BT's when I see them available I see no reason to need to change.
Mostly we're working inside 150yds where drift and drop are still quite manageable with an educated hold.

How far are you stretching out to with the AI ?

 

[K22]

I've used the 55 Vmax extensively in the past on groundhogs and predators in 12" twist 223 Rem bolt rifles. They worked very well for me. They are designed for varmint size game animals.

In my Tikka 8" twist rifles, I found that the 60 Vmax flat base bullets work exceptional well precision wise. It hammers varmints and predators.

I've been shooting Nosler 50 and 55 BT's that last few years in my 223's. These work exceptional well in 12 and 9" twist rifles. For the 8" twist, I had to load them down about a grain to get them to group well. Still, in my rifles, the 60 Vmax shoot the most precise in my 8" twist rifles.

I've never use the 223 on big game animals but if I was forced to, I'd opt for the Nosler 60 grain Partition bullet if they still make it.

 

[pdhntr]

How do you find the 50s in the wind though? Do you find a huge difference in holdover between 50s and 55s?

If you are dealing with wind also, I would try some 60 gr. Sierra TMK. They would work very well in the 8 twist barrel you are using, and from my experience, I would think it might be just what you are looking for.

I really like them for coyotes as I haven't had a splash yet. They may be just the ticket for what you are doing.

Jim

 

[Ozshot]

I’ve got

Has to be a good 90 degree breeze to worry them much. We don't bother with the 55gr at all and although I'm temped to get 55 BT's when I see them available I see no reason to need to change.
Mostly we're working inside 150yds where drift and drop are still quite manageable with an educated hold.

How far are you stretching out to with the AI

I’ve got mine shot In at about 11/2”-2” high at 100m which works out around 220-230m most shots are around that and closer in the open plains country. I find that having it shot in that bit higher helps to not wreck the carcass by shooting it low in you misjudge the distance, also if you push right out to 300 or 310 your still only over thier ears as opposed to being a foot over thier head if shot in at 100m. The AI really helps with the drops off and holdover I find it a fantastic caliber and struggle to get my drops right when I’m back on plain 223.

 

[Ozshot]

I’m about to try the Speer 52gn hollow point as that’s all I could get, you can’t find anything ballistic tip in over a 100pack here at the moment and I need bulk packs

 

[Homerange]

I’m about to try the Speer 52gn hollow point as that’s all I could get, you can’t find anything ballistic tip in over a 100pack here at the moment and I need bulk packs

Yep PITA here in NZ too when you can't get the BT 250 packs. Still you should have got even a 100 pack to at least evaluate the 50gr BT terminal performance.

 

[Homerange]

I’m about to try the Speer 52gn hollow point as that’s all I could get, you can’t find anything ballistic tip in over a 100pack here at the moment and I need bulk packs

Oh and good luck with those 22 cal garbage cans, my Model 7 don't like them at all.
Yet the sons 243 really likes the 75 gr garbage cans and he pulled off some nice long shots on Sulphur Crests here.

 

[arlaunch]

Nosler's answer to the V-Max is the Varmageddon bullet line. Those two could be compared fairly in regards to price point and performance.

The Nosler BT has a different design with a much larger copper base. Plastic tip is the only thing in common.

 

[Ozshot]

Nosler's answer to the V-Max is the Varmageddon bullet line. Those two could be compared fairly in regards to price point and performance.

The Nosler BT has a different design with a much larger copper base. Plastic tip is the only thing in a

Ahhh right, now I understand thankyou

 

[divingin]

Do you guys really eat kangaroos?

I've had kangaroo jerky once, way back when. Don't remember how I got it (California's a long ways from Down Under.)

 

[GLO123]

Wow! 40-50 Roos in one night. Those things must be like wild hogs are here. Glad the meat goes to good use. I’d like to try a big chunk on my grill, with some Fava beans and a nice Chianti.

 

[0.1 Aggregate]

Be careful with those fava beans, they can be as deadly as an inland taipan.

Vicine is an alkaloid glycoside found mainly in fava beans, which are also called broad beans (Vicia faba). Vicine is toxic in individuals who have a hereditary loss of the enzyme glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. It causes haemolytic anaemia, called favism….

 

[Adam in WI]

The evolution of internet threads never ceases to amaze...

 

[Homerange]

Wow! 40-50 Roos in one night. Those things must be like wild hogs are here. Glad the meat goes to good use. I’d like to try a big chunk on my grill, with some Fava beans and a nice Chianti.

Back in the 60's my dear departed uncle did a stint in OZ shooting roo's for skins where they spent a couple days rounding them up with vehicles and forcing them onto a teardrop bend on a river and and then setup camp on the narrow neck to block their escape. He said it took days for a group of them to shoot them all by a process of downing 10, skinning 10 and down another 10.
For sure they would have got good enough to do 50+/day.

 

[AckleymanII]

If you are calling varmints, be prepared for the biggest predator in the woods to come in to the call.

Be advised, have enough azz behind your bullet to anchor them with a well placed shot, limp dick bullets may not get the job done.

 

[Jeff Porter]

I had splashes on coyote shoulder shots with the 50gr Vmax in .223 and moved up to the 55 Vmax and reduces the problem.

Then I switched to 58 Vmax and a .243 at 3800fps.... Bang Flop - no exit wounds. Jellies the innards. My fur buyer loved that.

 

[RegionRat]

If you are calling varmints, be prepared for the biggest predator in the woods to come in to the call.

Be advised, have enough azz behind your bullet to anchor them with a well placed shot, limp dick bullets may not get the job done.

You bring up a good point, and I often forget... when some giant bear strolls into the scene and reminds me we are not always the apex predators on the block....