Google Groups no longer supports new Usenet posts or subscriptions. Historical content remains viewable.
Dismiss
Hornady V-max 87Gn (BoatTail) & V-Max 58Gn (FlatBase) in .243
12 views
Skip to first unread message
Rod Outback
Oct 28, 2015, 6:49:06 PM10/28/15
to
To all the deadduns whose spirits haunt these halls...
I have been testing out the 2 different V-max projectiles in my Krico .243
this past fortnight.
The 87Gn have a BC of around .400, and so fly pretty straight, and seem to
hit pretty darn hard.
All the test subjects to date have been Pokk-Hoppys, of various sizes and
species...
In comparison to the heavier (and harder) Nosler 95Gn Ballistic Tip, the
87Gn hits REALLY hard, where the Noslers more often go through.
Where recipients of the Nosler's might have a 50% chance of travelling some
distance before expiring, about 95% of the 87Gn hits were an instant
knock-down, with a loud 'POKK'.
With the 58Gn pills(BC of around .250 IIRC), they are pretty much emulating
a 22-250 in performance, as they seem to be departing the barrel at around
3600fps..
The furthest shot so far has been around 200 yards, and it was a nice solid
hit. Not quite the authoritative smack-down of the 87Gn, but pretty darn
hard hitting.
Anything in closer than 100 yards, and they seem to drop most pokk-hoppys in
their tracks.
Interestingly, the 58Gn pills often exit, but usually mixed in with a large
amount of claret...(I'm shooting for top of chest)
I dont seem to see as many exit wounds on the 87Gn pills.
I read the great Hornady announcement, and I have to say it was a profound
beat-up about sod-all.
I think they are pulling their own chains, if they think the majority of
polymer-tipped projectiles are melting in flight(The polymer).
I have often recovered the remains of a polymer tip(Barnes, Nosler and
Hornady) from a carcass, and none have been found to have any signs of
melting.
Also, the consistent accuracy from these projectiles just doesnt add up with
Hornadys' claims of melting.
Anyhoo, despite that, I can heartily recommend the following projectiles for
shooting most Australian game (Pigs, Dingos, Rabbits, Goats, Pokk-Hoppys,
Rabbits, Cats, Corbeys, but excluding deer - I dont have any experience with
them):-
In .223:
55gn Nosler Ballistic Tip (Very accurate, and seem to hit pretty hard. I
suspect the heavier construction isnt a problem in such a small projectile)
55Gn Nosler Varmagedden (neighbour is testing these in his .222, and reports
excellent accuracy, and very effective hits)
55Gn Hornady V-max (Probably the best value for money, while still
delivering excellent results)
In .243(6mm):
58Gn Hornady V-Max (3600fps is 22-250 territory, and they hit hard out to
around 200 yards or so; not likely to be a long-range projectile)
87Gn Hornady V-Max BT (really good BC, consistently accurate, explosive
impacts, while still being great value)
95Gn Nosler Ballistic Tip (Accurate, very consistent, but a bit too hard for
most light game, and vastly over-priced)
In 7mm:
120Gn Nosler Ballistic Tip (Very accurate and consistent, though a bit too
heavily constructed for most Australian game, and vastly over-priced)
120Gn Hornady (Very accurate and consistent, and extremely hard-hitting on
Australian game, and half the price of the Noslers)
140Gn Nosler Ballistic Tip (Not anywhere near as consistent as we got from
the 120gn, but hit pretty hard. Still over-priced compared to 120Gn V-Max)
In .308:
130Gn HP Federal factory Vital-Shoks (3050fps departing the barrel, and very
accurate out past 300 yards. The one factory load I would reccommend for
the .308, and loaded by Federal for Australian game)
150Gn Nosler Ballistic Tip (The most consistently accurate projectile I have
loaded to date. Overly expensive, though, and a little too hard for most
Australian game. They still phukk crows over big time, though...)
165Gn Barnes T-TSX (All-copper alloy, with polymer tip. VERY accurate, but
I only keep them loaded up as BullPhukker Surprises, in case we need to have
another session in the helicopter...)
In .30-30:
150Gn HP Winchester factory loads - The ONLY factory ammo I would recommend
for .30-30. They are excellent lever-gun ammo)
165Gn FTX Hornady polymer-tipped for lever-guns. - (Much flatter trajectory
over anything else, but they are bit too hard for most Australian game - my
second choice for factory ammo)
150Gn Barnes HP projectiles (Sold in a factory load by Remington called a
Hog-Hammer, and very devastating. All copper, and I have only shot them
close range, but destructive - nigh impossible to source, though)
Projectiles yet to be tested:-
In .224:-
50Gn B&T Energetics Varmint R - Frangible Brass projectiles
In .243:-
80 Gn Nosler Ballistic Tip (These were load tested for me, and proved to be
very tight groups across some 2.0 gns of powder increments!)
75Gn Hornady V-Max (Something to play with when I get time)
In .308:-
110Gn Hornady V-Max (Should be similar to the results from the 58Gn ones in
the .243)
125Gn Nosler Ballistic Tips
130Gn Speer HP (As loaded in Federal Vital-Shok 130GN)
140Gn Hornady Monoflex (Accidently purchased for .30-30, but turned out to
be for .308 Marlin, so cannelure is in wrong spot. Worth playing around
with in .308 - all-copper, with polymer tip)
In .303 British(.311)
174Gn B&T Energetics Controlled Expansion Hunting projectiles (Supposed to
emulate ballistics of the MK7 projectile. I have them loaded up, but we
havent flashed up the .303 to test them out.)
Thats all for the moment. You can all go back to lurking in graveyards
etc...
-------
Cheers,
Rod...Out Back
-------
I have been testing out the 2 different V-max projectiles in my Krico .243
this past fortnight.
The 87Gn have a BC of around .400, and so fly pretty straight, and seem to
hit pretty darn hard.
All the test subjects to date have been Pokk-Hoppys, of various sizes and
species...
In comparison to the heavier (and harder) Nosler 95Gn Ballistic Tip, the
87Gn hits REALLY hard, where the Noslers more often go through.
Where recipients of the Nosler's might have a 50% chance of travelling some
distance before expiring, about 95% of the 87Gn hits were an instant
knock-down, with a loud 'POKK'.
With the 58Gn pills(BC of around .250 IIRC), they are pretty much emulating
a 22-250 in performance, as they seem to be departing the barrel at around
3600fps..
The furthest shot so far has been around 200 yards, and it was a nice solid
hit. Not quite the authoritative smack-down of the 87Gn, but pretty darn
hard hitting.
Anything in closer than 100 yards, and they seem to drop most pokk-hoppys in
their tracks.
Interestingly, the 58Gn pills often exit, but usually mixed in with a large
amount of claret...(I'm shooting for top of chest)
I dont seem to see as many exit wounds on the 87Gn pills.
I read the great Hornady announcement, and I have to say it was a profound
beat-up about sod-all.
I think they are pulling their own chains, if they think the majority of
polymer-tipped projectiles are melting in flight(The polymer).
I have often recovered the remains of a polymer tip(Barnes, Nosler and
Hornady) from a carcass, and none have been found to have any signs of
melting.
Also, the consistent accuracy from these projectiles just doesnt add up with
Hornadys' claims of melting.
Anyhoo, despite that, I can heartily recommend the following projectiles for
shooting most Australian game (Pigs, Dingos, Rabbits, Goats, Pokk-Hoppys,
Rabbits, Cats, Corbeys, but excluding deer - I dont have any experience with
them):-
In .223:
55gn Nosler Ballistic Tip (Very accurate, and seem to hit pretty hard. I
suspect the heavier construction isnt a problem in such a small projectile)
55Gn Nosler Varmagedden (neighbour is testing these in his .222, and reports
excellent accuracy, and very effective hits)
55Gn Hornady V-max (Probably the best value for money, while still
delivering excellent results)
In .243(6mm):
58Gn Hornady V-Max (3600fps is 22-250 territory, and they hit hard out to
around 200 yards or so; not likely to be a long-range projectile)
87Gn Hornady V-Max BT (really good BC, consistently accurate, explosive
impacts, while still being great value)
95Gn Nosler Ballistic Tip (Accurate, very consistent, but a bit too hard for
most light game, and vastly over-priced)
In 7mm:
120Gn Nosler Ballistic Tip (Very accurate and consistent, though a bit too
heavily constructed for most Australian game, and vastly over-priced)
120Gn Hornady (Very accurate and consistent, and extremely hard-hitting on
Australian game, and half the price of the Noslers)
140Gn Nosler Ballistic Tip (Not anywhere near as consistent as we got from
the 120gn, but hit pretty hard. Still over-priced compared to 120Gn V-Max)
In .308:
130Gn HP Federal factory Vital-Shoks (3050fps departing the barrel, and very
accurate out past 300 yards. The one factory load I would reccommend for
the .308, and loaded by Federal for Australian game)
150Gn Nosler Ballistic Tip (The most consistently accurate projectile I have
loaded to date. Overly expensive, though, and a little too hard for most
Australian game. They still phukk crows over big time, though...)
165Gn Barnes T-TSX (All-copper alloy, with polymer tip. VERY accurate, but
I only keep them loaded up as BullPhukker Surprises, in case we need to have
another session in the helicopter...)
In .30-30:
150Gn HP Winchester factory loads - The ONLY factory ammo I would recommend
for .30-30. They are excellent lever-gun ammo)
165Gn FTX Hornady polymer-tipped for lever-guns. - (Much flatter trajectory
over anything else, but they are bit too hard for most Australian game - my
second choice for factory ammo)
150Gn Barnes HP projectiles (Sold in a factory load by Remington called a
Hog-Hammer, and very devastating. All copper, and I have only shot them
close range, but destructive - nigh impossible to source, though)
Projectiles yet to be tested:-
In .224:-
50Gn B&T Energetics Varmint R - Frangible Brass projectiles
In .243:-
80 Gn Nosler Ballistic Tip (These were load tested for me, and proved to be
very tight groups across some 2.0 gns of powder increments!)
75Gn Hornady V-Max (Something to play with when I get time)
In .308:-
110Gn Hornady V-Max (Should be similar to the results from the 58Gn ones in
the .243)
125Gn Nosler Ballistic Tips
130Gn Speer HP (As loaded in Federal Vital-Shok 130GN)
140Gn Hornady Monoflex (Accidently purchased for .30-30, but turned out to
be for .308 Marlin, so cannelure is in wrong spot. Worth playing around
with in .308 - all-copper, with polymer tip)
In .303 British(.311)
174Gn B&T Energetics Controlled Expansion Hunting projectiles (Supposed to
emulate ballistics of the MK7 projectile. I have them loaded up, but we
havent flashed up the .303 to test them out.)
Thats all for the moment. You can all go back to lurking in graveyards
etc...
-------
Cheers,
Rod...Out Back
-------
marko
Oct 28, 2015, 11:22:13 PM10/28/15
to
Rod Outback wrote:
> To all the deadduns whose spirits haunt these halls...
>
<snippity snip snip snip>
> To all the deadduns whose spirits haunt these halls...
>
>
> Thats all for the moment. You can all go back to lurking in graveyards
> etc...
>
> -------
>
> Cheers,
>
> Rod...Out Back
>
> -------
noslers here with a flat base.
Cheers
Marko
Clayton
Oct 28, 2015, 11:33:01 PM10/28/15
to
Great write up Rod.
Marko I have loaded up 40gr Sierra blitz kings for Lindsay and they are very accurate. Everything he has pointed the rifle at he has killed so far.
Marko I have loaded up 40gr Sierra blitz kings for Lindsay and they are very accurate. Everything he has pointed the rifle at he has killed so far.
Lindsay
Oct 29, 2015, 2:21:18 AM10/29/15
to
On 29/10/2015 2:33 PM, Clayton wrote:
> Great write up Rod.
>
> Marko I have loaded up 40gr Sierra blitz kings for Lindsay and they are very accurate. Everything he has pointed the rifle at he has killed so far.
>
Yep, I havent looked after my .223, it's spent time bouncing around in
> Great write up Rod.
>
> Marko I have loaded up 40gr Sierra blitz kings for Lindsay and they are very accurate. Everything he has pointed the rifle at he has killed so far.
>
the box in the back of the ute, John Mac borrowed it, hardly gets
cleaned, and you saw the 3 out of 3 in a 10c sized hole without really
trying.
I'm very happy with the rifle AND the ammo. Knowing every round is the
same is great...
marko
Oct 30, 2015, 3:40:59 AM10/30/15
to
what kind of a load?
cheers
Marko
Clayton
Nov 3, 2015, 4:57:13 AM11/3/15
to
27gr of 2206H
Bluey69
Nov 8, 2015, 5:20:15 AM11/8/15
to
computer to check my e-mail and Cleavers had those Zmax 50gn 224
projectiles on special again so I bought another box of 500 .
Plenty of pills to play with now so will be sighting in and testing them
in my Matrtini 222R .
Pity I didnt have time to do that before driving to Gove ,on the way
back this morning I saw a pairs of dingoes just meters from the road
side ,great test material .Plenty of wallabies as well .
Clayton
Nov 14, 2015, 12:05:18 AM11/14/15
to
Nhulunbuy seems to be popular for hunters. Most recently the sad news about the QLD hunter who passed away while hunting up that way.
What were you hunting for bluey?
What were you hunting for bluey?
Bluey69
Nov 15, 2015, 4:17:20 PM11/15/15
to
On 14/11/2015 2:35 PM, Clayton wrote:
> Nhulunbuy seems to be popular for hunters. Most recently the sad news about the QLD hunter who passed away while hunting up that way.
>
> What were you hunting for bluey?
>
Mostly just doing the tourist thing and visiting my Son ,also checked
> Nhulunbuy seems to be popular for hunters. Most recently the sad news about the QLD hunter who passed away while hunting up that way.
>
> What were you hunting for bluey?
>
out the buffalo situation , no big herds of them but plenty of sign of
lone bulls wandering the country .
Pigs are about as well but not in big numbers .
Met one of the Yunapingu lads and have made some plans to hunt with him
after the wet season is done.
Some really nice fishing spots and isolated beaches to fish from . The
fresh rock oysters were a delight and plenty of them .
Became a Grandfather while I was there as well my Son and his partner
had a little girl .
Will be going back in the new year.
Didnt hear about the unfortunate hunter so can't comment .
0 new messages