ELR Researcher
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The “Vigilance V440” – a new ELR cartridge
Keary Ritchie, owner of Vigilance Rifles (AZ), has just launched a new ELR cartridge, the “badass” Vigilance V440. Based on standard .50 BMG brass, it is a simple neck down to .440 caliber. He is offering it as an option for his Windrunner M18 rifle. See the comparo pic (left to right, .50 BMG, Vigilance V440, .416 Barrett, and .408 Cheytac). Second pic is the Manson chamber reamer drawing. He also has a two minute video on YouTube -
Obvious question, why .440 caliber (.430 bore/.440 grove)? “.440 diameter is big enough not to have too much burn out / throat erosion...also every other cartridge had a name on it already, and this one was available to promote our Vigilance brand.” And, since his Windrunner M18 rifle is typically sold in .50 BMG, having a cartridge that works well in a .50 BMG magazine is a big advantage (same COAL) – see near the end of the video.
Another obvious question, where can prospective customers get .440 caliber, ELR-appropriate bullets? Through Vigilance, of course – currently the only source, though Keary expects others will produce them over time. Vigilance has invested in a Swiss type, CNC lathe and high end bar feeder to service demand. Of note, these bullets are solid Tellurium copper and have a rebated boat tail. At 600 grains they exit the Windrunner M18’s 36” (1:13 twist) barrel at 3125 fps (JBM supersonic to about 3050 yards based on an estimated 1.1 BC). Keary claims 5-shot, .250 MOA groups at 100 yards after fire forming (.625 MOA during fire forming); 17.5 MOA drop at 1000 yards from a 100 yard zero. A V440-dedicated page is in works for the Vigilance website (https://www.vigilancerifles.co/v440-long-range). [Vigilance will also be offering the same bullet design, and material, in .338, .375, .408, .416, .460, and, of course, .50 caliber. Availability TBD.]
While Vigilance will not offer reamers, they will offer dies (at least the sizer). As noted in the video, single-stroke, one-step sizing of .50 BMG brass, trim the length a bit after first firing (fire forming). Per Keary, “There is no pressure issue, bolt opens with one hand. No primer pocket expansion, very re-loadable brass, I'd say 8 times EZ.” Properly headstampted brass is also in the works. For those not interested in reloading, they will also offer loaded ammo.
Final note, seems very reasonable to expect that Vigilance will offer V440 re-barrels for Windrunner M96 owners. [“…(there are) over 3600 Windrunners out there that can all take the V440.”]
Close for now. Watch the V440 page (link above) for more info.
BTW, I have zero monetary or other relationship with Vigilance, just helping to keep the ELR community in the know.
Keary Ritchie, owner of Vigilance Rifles (AZ), has just launched a new ELR cartridge, the “badass” Vigilance V440. Based on standard .50 BMG brass, it is a simple neck down to .440 caliber. He is offering it as an option for his Windrunner M18 rifle. See the comparo pic (left to right, .50 BMG, Vigilance V440, .416 Barrett, and .408 Cheytac). Second pic is the Manson chamber reamer drawing. He also has a two minute video on YouTube -
Obvious question, why .440 caliber (.430 bore/.440 grove)? “.440 diameter is big enough not to have too much burn out / throat erosion...also every other cartridge had a name on it already, and this one was available to promote our Vigilance brand.” And, since his Windrunner M18 rifle is typically sold in .50 BMG, having a cartridge that works well in a .50 BMG magazine is a big advantage (same COAL) – see near the end of the video.
Another obvious question, where can prospective customers get .440 caliber, ELR-appropriate bullets? Through Vigilance, of course – currently the only source, though Keary expects others will produce them over time. Vigilance has invested in a Swiss type, CNC lathe and high end bar feeder to service demand. Of note, these bullets are solid Tellurium copper and have a rebated boat tail. At 600 grains they exit the Windrunner M18’s 36” (1:13 twist) barrel at 3125 fps (JBM supersonic to about 3050 yards based on an estimated 1.1 BC). Keary claims 5-shot, .250 MOA groups at 100 yards after fire forming (.625 MOA during fire forming); 17.5 MOA drop at 1000 yards from a 100 yard zero. A V440-dedicated page is in works for the Vigilance website (https://www.vigilancerifles.co/v440-long-range). [Vigilance will also be offering the same bullet design, and material, in .338, .375, .408, .416, .460, and, of course, .50 caliber. Availability TBD.]
While Vigilance will not offer reamers, they will offer dies (at least the sizer). As noted in the video, single-stroke, one-step sizing of .50 BMG brass, trim the length a bit after first firing (fire forming). Per Keary, “There is no pressure issue, bolt opens with one hand. No primer pocket expansion, very re-loadable brass, I'd say 8 times EZ.” Properly headstampted brass is also in the works. For those not interested in reloading, they will also offer loaded ammo.
Final note, seems very reasonable to expect that Vigilance will offer V440 re-barrels for Windrunner M96 owners. [“…(there are) over 3600 Windrunners out there that can all take the V440.”]
Close for now. Watch the V440 page (link above) for more info.
BTW, I have zero monetary or other relationship with Vigilance, just helping to keep the ELR community in the know.
