Nosler Varmageddon vs. Hornady Vmax

[Mike in Oregon]

For those of you shooting these little pills (17 thru 22 caliber) I would like to know which do you prefer and why?


Mike...

 

[jpx2rk]

I usually try both in a load/rifle to see which one shoots the best. Hornady's are usually easier to obtain.

 

[WV Hitman]

When VMaxes came out I tested them against BTs comparing internal damage on groundhogs. At that time the BTs showed more damage. in my .223 & .22-250 handguns. I've only used BTs since. Shot a groundhog yesterday at 301 yds. with my .22-250 XP in 15 mph winds. Heard the bullet "pop". Dead 'hog. No exit. Guess the accuracy is OK!

 

[mmcu]

For the 53 grain, 22 caliber bullets, my rifles have a preference for the Varmageddon over the V-Max.

Both shoot well, but the Nosler's are more consistent in producing small groups.

Both work well on the local coyotes.

 

[varmintshooter]

For varmint shooting I find Hornady Vmax works fine. In fact I shoot more Hornady than anything but I don't shoot competition. I think bullet placement matters more than bullet brand.

 

[357Mag]

For those of you shooting these little pills (17 thru 22 caliber) I would like to know which do you prefer and why?


Mike...

Mike in Oregon -

Howdy !

FWIW -

For use on groundhog out to 500yd, I prefer the Hornady 55SX to either of the polymer-tipped bullets you mentioned. 1-14 twist .22-250s, .220 Swift; and my .22-35 Remington wildcat. No crawlers. 26” barrel or more, is a plus.


With regards,
357Max

 

[B23]

For those of you shooting these little pills (17 thru 22 caliber) I would like to know which do you prefer and why?


Mike...

I think if you're from Oregon and you shoot anything but Nosler bullets you get some kind of curse put on you something about it being a cardinal sin for Oregonians who don't stick with Nosler.

 

[K22]

I am a long-time user of both Nosler BT and Hornady Vmax 224 bullets, 50 through 60 grains. I have also used Sierra bullets extensively. The Varmageddon bullet supply has been erratic, so I have not tried them. I also have extensive experience hunting varmints (eastern ground hogs).

Because of the small vital area of varmints, I try to seek the best precision and accuracy possible within my economic constrains and tolerance for reloading complexity.

What I've learned is that while testimonies from others can have value, ultimately it comes down to testing a given bullet in your rifle. I have had acceptable (varmint grade accuracy) results with all the aforementioned bullets.

For whatever it is worth, I prefer Nosler BT's bullets in my 12" twist 223 Rem's and 60 Vmax in my 8" twist 223's. I wrote Sierra off several years ago because of lack of availability. Hornady's are much more readily available, and I have managed, with careful inventory control, keep enough Nosler BTs in stock.

I do not enjoy load development. If fact I hate it I hate shooting off a bench too. So, when I find something that works, I stay with it assuming availability can be managed. With regards to the Varmageddon bullets, I like the pricing and the flat base so I would not rule them out if I could not obtain my preferred bullets.

 

[Mike in Oregon]

I totally agree with accuracy over performance. Both get the job done! I was hoping that the flat base vs semi boat tail would get mentioned in regard to difficulty reloading these little pills. Especially with the teenagers.

 

[Just Say Moe]

I use 32 grain 204's. I haven't noticed a hairs difference in accuracy or results on P dogs. Price and availability - 6 vs 1/2 dozen.

 

[jpjulian]

I use both in 50-55 weights in my .223's. They shoot very well for me.

 

[snert]

I use vmax. Nosler shoots a bit better, but not worth the $$$ extra.

 

[RabbitSlayer]

Basically everything I have ever dreamed of trying including the high bc nosler has been out of stock for 5 years except Hornady....

 

[jpx2rk]

I totally agree with accuracy over performance. Both get the job done! I was hoping that the flat base vs semi boat tail would get mentioned in regard to difficulty reloading these little pills. Especially with the teenagers.

Just make sure the chamfer is good, maybe a tab bit more than usual. I have small hands so no problem with the 20 cal size, but "Artie" is not making it any easier for me these days.

 

[boltfluter]

The Hornady 40 gr V-max has been exceptional for me. Nosler soured me when they went to 50 count boxes years ago. And then jacked up the price. Old news, but it just didn't set well.

 

[BradY]

The noslers varmageddons in 20gr tipped 17 cal are shorter than the Vmax. My 1:10 was actually closer to 1:10.5 in 17ah and I think the slightly shorter projectile helped stabilise. It sure makes a mess of red foxes and rabbits.

 

[Gary in MD]

Easy… Sierra Blitz Kings for the win.
Not available you say? You should have bought when available

 

[chuckshooter]

I like 32 vmax for my 20 cal. rifles. I think blow up critters better than 40 vmax's. I have never shot the 39BK, but my shooting buddy does and he likes them. at 13,000 rounds fired last year and 8,000 already this year, I find the vmax's to be a little more economical. not that there is anything economical about shooting, I just figure I am shooting my kids inheritance. . In 22 cal. rifles I shoot both 50 and 55 gr vmax's also the speer TNT, but my favorite is the nosler 50gr BT. but I hardly shoot anything but 20 cal. stuff anymore.

 

[AckleymanII]

I have had exceptional luck with the 55g 22 caliber Varm in my 223 Rem stainless sp shooting them at 3450 fps with 8208 with cci 450s in IMI brass. In my 6 BR, the 70g Varm are just incredible, very tiny group accuracy, so are the 55g and 70g Sierra blitz kings.

Mike in Oregon, you did not mention the Speer TNT. The 70 Speer TNT are just unbelievably accurate and I have shot them in the 6 PPC, 6BR, 6/250 AI, 6/250, and 243 AI. 22 Caliber tnt are all very accurate including their 52g Match.

 

[Tommie]

Unlike several people, I never experienced accuracy woes with the V-Max. Price is right and availability is rarely an issue. I will also say they seemed to deliver better terminal acrobatics than other brands. I’ve never found a reason to switch.