What's your favorite 40grn bullet?

[TheOtherZilla]

My favorite is the one with the lil orange tips on em. I just like the color..

 

[nmkid]

My .20 Practical shoots the 40 gr Vmax way better then I can shoot. I shoot 3-4 into one nice ragged hole and I always end up 'pulling' the last one.

 

[pacificman]

40 v-max / z-max

 

[moorepower]

Not according to Hornady tech support. To me, the Z-max introduction was just a marketing gimmick. The fact that they sell from time to time at a better price point is a bonus.

Screenshots from my correspondence with Hornady.

View attachment 1014457 View attachment 1014458

You might be surprised if you know how many other "brands" of bullets are Hornady.

 

[Brians356]

To those of you shooting 40-gr Ballistic Tip: Anyone shooting the flat-base version?

I just like FBs, and always felt a boat-tail on a little 40-gr was rather useless. Too, I have nearly run out neck engagement trying to reach the lands in my R700 VS in 223 Rem. The published BCs of the two Nosler 40s are virtually identical, but the flat-base is .083" longer than the boat-tail, which may be significant.

Thoughts?
-

 

[Brians356]

To those of you shooting 40-gr Ballistic Tip: Anyone shooting the flat-base version?

I just like FBs, and always felt a boat-tail on a little 40-gr was rather useless. Too, I have nearly run out neck engagement trying to reach the lands in my R700 VS in 223 Rem. The published BCs of the two Nosler 40s are virtually identical, but the flat-base is .083" longer than the boat-tail, which may be significant.

Thoughts?
-

Nobody shoots FB BTs?
-

 

[pacificman]

Nobody shoots FB BTs?
-

Nope ...Nothing wrong with flat base bullet but I like the BC of the boattail better as I challenge myself
with the long range stuff in most of my rifles. I do use a 35 grain vmax in my 22 hornet though...
funny thing is though it's the only bullet that shoots well in that rifle.

 

[Brians356]

Nope ...Nothing wrong with flat base bullet but I like the BC of the boattail better as I challenge myself
with the long range stuff in most of my rifles.

The published BCs of the two 40-gr BTs are:

Boat Tail: .221
Flat Base: .220

Indistinguishable on target.
-

 

[pacificman]

The published BCs of the two 40-gr BTs are:

Boat Tail: .221
Flat Base: .220

Indistinguishable on target.
-

Well in that case you could shoot either one...In my .224 caliber barrels I shoot heavier than 40 grainers.
I use 40 grain bullets in my 20 practicals which have higher BC than 40 grain .224 bullets. If your having good
results with the flat base then I say stay with them. I have read that there is supposed to be less barrel erosion
with the flat based bullets too.

 

[Brians356]

I have read that there is supposed to be less barrel erosion
with the flat based bullets too.

That's a new one to me. I wonder why?
-

 

[pacificman]

That's a new one to me. I wonder why?
-

The thought was that with the boat-tail bullet the hot gasses from the powder go up along either side of the bullet
in such a way that it would be hotter and more erosive than just swirling back behind the flat base on a flat based
bullet. I can't remember exactly what was said ...but there seemed to be some controversy also.
Heck ...I may have read that in the old Sierra manual...I just can't remember...Gettin old I guess...

 

[Brians356]

The thought was that with the boat-tail bullet the hot gasses from the powder go up along either side of the bullet
in such a way that it would be hotter and more erosive than just swirling back behind the flat base on a flat based
bullet.

That was my first hunch. The heel swell makes an efficient gas check.
-

 

[long40shot]

Have any of you tried 40 bullets in 9 twist barrel?

 

[pacificman]

Have any of you tried 40 bullets in 9 twist barrel?

I did try some 40 grain bullets in my 9 twist .223 but just could not get the kind of accuracy I was wanting.
I then went to 50 grain and accuracy was very good ...I recently tried some 53 grain vmax with a bit better
accuracy yet. .

 

[drover]

I shoot 40 gr Nosler BT in a couple of Tikka T-3's chambered in 223 Rem, one is an 8 twist and one is a 10 twist. The 10 twist shoots slightly tighter groups but they both shoot 5-shot groups of less than one inch.
I also have 3 Coopers chambered in 223 Rem, one has a 12 twist and the other two have 10 twist. In this limited sampling the 10 twist gives slightly better accuracy.
If I had a nine twist and wanted to shoot 40's I think a little playing with seating depth or powder charges would get acceptable accuracy, if the rifle is capable of sub-1/2" grouping.

drover

 

[SenderoMan]

I've had great luck with the 32 gr. Zmax in my 20 Practical. 40 and 50 gr. VMax in my 22's and 75 gr. VMax in my 25-06. All have worked well on coyotes.

 

[A_Gamehog]

22-250 12 Twist, 4200 ft.

40 Grain Nosler Lead Free
35.5 8208 XMR
CCI BR primers
Nosler Brass

3 shots 100 yards. Ramshot Big Game was second most accurate. All three shots touched. Repeatable in hot or cold temps. Longer than a lead core 50 grainer.

 

[AckleymanII]

I shot the 40g Speer spire points in my Ruger 22 Hornet. I could touch the lands at less than mag length, and they punched right through coyote shoulders as it is a high velocity bullet. The ogive is further out on the bullet shank compared to a v max or ballistic tip, but the bc is not as high.

I shot a flock of 40g nosler bt in the 223 AI with hot loads of N133 and AA2015, 4100+. We would often start the day off on the dog town calling in a coyote, and the 40g Nosler never failed me.

 

[A_Gamehog]

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1...?key=UDB0Sk95UGN1S09ZNTRFZ2owdllXbktlblBMa0RB

 

[C.E.Smith043]

The V-Max's have been working so well for me that I frankly just haven't tried many others. jd

This has been mine exact experience