Nosler varmageddon, .223.
- Thread starter sillbeam
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jthyttin
Well-Known Member
I've used 40gr HP (only one that was avaible then), 40gr Tipped and currently 53gr Tipped. I moved from HP to Tipped to gain better mid range velocity (let's say 150 meters) and then to 53gr to gain better penetration on raccoon dog and occasional badger.
They are proper varmint bullets, I cannot get more scientific than that. I'd go for 53gr since it can just about duplicate 40gr trajectory (both Tipped) to 200m and better it after that. Less wind drift and as a bonus more energy downrange.
If you don't currently flare the necks before seating, you might want to add that to your process. It's a PITA to add extra step (or actually two, since you need some kind of crimp to get rid of the flare), but Varmageddon are flat base, and the jacket is so thin that the base really is flat to the edges. So seating w/o flaring is difficult and you risk damaging the bullet base and/or neck.
They are proper varmint bullets, I cannot get more scientific than that. I'd go for 53gr since it can just about duplicate 40gr trajectory (both Tipped) to 200m and better it after that. Less wind drift and as a bonus more energy downrange.
If you don't currently flare the necks before seating, you might want to add that to your process. It's a PITA to add extra step (or actually two, since you need some kind of crimp to get rid of the flare), but Varmageddon are flat base, and the jacket is so thin that the base really is flat to the edges. So seating w/o flaring is difficult and you risk damaging the bullet base and/or neck.
I use 53g Varmegeddons in .222 and they are awesome. Flat base which 53g Vmax are not, so they shoot very very accurately out to 300yds. I would say they are similar to Vmax but do shoot better in my rifle. You can get them in 250 count boxes for less than other brand alternatives.
They have thin jackets and I would say they are more destructive than Vmax. They either blow huge exit holes in stuff or do not exit and turn insides to jelly.
They have thin jackets and I would say they are more destructive than Vmax. They either blow huge exit holes in stuff or do not exit and turn insides to jelly.
Thanks for this
, my 223 is 1:12 twist and I suspect it will prefer shorter, flat bases. 55gr vmax's, flat base are still available(unfortunately varmageddons aren't 
), so might give them a try.
jthyttin
Well-Known Member
53gr Varmageddon is actually longer (0.830") than e.g. 55gr Ballistic Tip that has small BT (0.810"). 53gr is more modern design with better BC. Another modern design is 53gr V-Max.
Lengths from Nosler website, haven't actually measured them (but might since I have both). Hornady doesn't give length for 53gr V-Max but I have them also (friend uses them, and comes over to use my reloading equipment).
EDIT: I shoot 1-9" so not concerned about stability
Lengths from Nosler website, haven't actually measured them (but might since I have both). Hornady doesn't give length for 53gr V-Max but I have them also (friend uses them, and comes over to use my reloading equipment).
EDIT: I shoot 1-9" so not concerned about stability
Try using a VLD chamfer tool. Makes seating FB bullets a breeze without any damage to the jacketing.
jthyttin
Well-Known Member
Might give it a go, since I already have VLD chamfer/deburr tool on the way. Dropped old one on concrete floor, broke one of the deburr petals and it now only works on 22cal...
But I doubt I change my process since with 40 grain I found out that factory crimping had measurable effect on shot dispersion and it doesn't seem to hurt with 53gr either (not that I've tried w/o fc). So I'd be crimping anyway, and slight flare makes the seating so much more consistent. And I don't go through great amounts of varmint ammo.
But I doubt I change my process since with 40 grain I found out that factory crimping had measurable effect on shot dispersion and it doesn't seem to hurt with 53gr either (not that I've tried w/o fc). So I'd be crimping anyway, and slight flare makes the seating so much more consistent. And I don't go through great amounts of varmint ammo.
I do this with my .222, takes no time at all and get no bullet damage when seating. I actually pulled a few with a hornady collet puller to check.
I shot 100 varmageddon through my .222 but am currently using the following
40grn v max - just too accurate not to use, get a single 1/3 of an inch hole at 100m with these.
50grn spsx - perfectly accurate and very cheap for volume shooting like rabbit and corvid control.
55grn Sierra 1390 - just starting load development
50grn Barnes ttsx - accuracy just under 1 inch at 100m and proving to be a very effective deer bullet.
I prefer the vit powders, they're readily available and cleaner burning than some others I've had.Very accurate with vit n133 and RS40
Another rifle I've recently had rebarreled (243 1:8tw) is superb with N160.
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