Federal 40g 22.250

[jakey3]

So I’m thinking of moving to federal 40g with the hornady v-max bullets for foxing as gun shop has them in and there £29 a box rather than £38 a box for 55 grain hornady v-max rounds. My only concern is the 40grain isn’t on federals website now so I’m guessing there not making them anymore does anyone know if this is correct?

 

[Nickb]

I wouldn't use them , get too many splashes for my liking much prefer 55grn

 

[MCL1129]

Agree . 55grn all the way .

 

[jakey3]

I wouldn't use them , get too many splashes for my liking much prefer 55grn

What’s interesting me is the 4200fps and -4in drop at 300yards with a 200 yard zero. I’ve been tempted to move to 50 grain v-max for a while and then saw the 40g. But I get your gist about the splashing

 

[Len the dog]

The faster a bullet leaves the barrel, the faster it loses speed. At 300yds the 55grn will be carrying a lot more energy than the 40grn, so any perceived advantage will have been more than lost.

 

[Triggermortis]

How much more energy, enough to make a difference ?

 

[The Grouse]

What’s interesting me is the 4200fps and -4in drop at 300yards with a 200 yard zero. I’ve been tempted to move to 50 grain v-max for a while and then saw the 40g. But I get your gist about the splashing

I was using 55gr Hornady Vmax until I couldn't get hold of them and moved to the 50gr version. Still as effective from what I see, and they were marginally more accurate. No splash issues, either a bag of fox soup or blown apart. I would be wary of going lower than 50gr.

 

[Len the dog]

How much more energy, enough to make a difference ?

From the manufacturer's data, Hornady varmint express 55gr Vmax compared to Federal 40gr Vmax & calculated with a 200yd zero.

55gr, MV 3680 fps, ME 1654 ftlb
@ 300yds, V 2514 fps, E 772 ftlb

That's a loss of 882 ftlb which is 53% of its ME
Drop 4.9"



40gr, MV 4200 fps, ME 1567 ftlb
@ 300yds, V 2604 fps, E 602 ftlb
That's a loss of 965 ftlb which is 62% of its ME.
Drop 4.1"


So for an additional drop of just 0.8", the 55gr would be 170 ftlb up on the 40gr at 300 yds.


I tried a box of the Federal 40gr Vmax, they were very accurate and at the ranges I shoot foxes they were blowing them apart. I am currently using 55gr Blitzkings in my handloads and whilst they are just as accurate, they don't have the same explosive effect, but the fox is still dead before it hears the bang.
I'm using a Tikka T3X and the best factory I found for both accuracy and bag of soup effect were the Norma 50gr Vmax, but I believe they are now using their own ballistic tip bullets instead of Hornady's Vmax.

 

[Bo Diddley]

Someone on here is launching 40 grain Vmax out of his Ruger Mk2 .220Swift at silly speeds... can't quite remember but it's Cooper something or other.. he has no complaints apparently.
Edit; He's reloading homebrews obviously.

 

[Smellydog]

Years ago we tried 40gn noslers in a 250 and wow, flat as a pan cake! However we did have some unsavoury instances with fox.

There are many factors involved other than just bullet weight and bullet construction.
Rifling depths of cut into the jacket for one!

We shot a crow one day about 200yards. Side on it made a huge crater our side! On inspection not a single piece of bullet exited the other side! Penertration was about 3"!!

Don't be put off, that particular rifle struggled with a variety of bullets including some 55gn.

Try them, you won't know until you do.

 

[jb1]

I commented on similar a while ago, not 40g but 35g 4500fps shot 1 fox, placement bob on. Fox ran into woodland, found sometime after and dispatched. This was years ago, remains of the box are still in the cabinet, I think there were £23 so a few years back.
Stick with 50 or 55s

 

[Triggermortis]

If the problem with the 40g’ers is they “splash” why not try a 40g soft point?
I’ve used hornady SPSX’s in other chambering to great effect, would they not be an option in the ‘250?

 

[Smellydog]

If the problem with the 40g’ers is they “splash” why not try a 40g soft point?
I’ve used hornady SPSX’s in other chambering to great effect, would they not be an option in the ‘250?

Agreed.
People are obsessed with the plastic tipped bullets. I don't understand why.
They are for blowing prairie dogs to bits.

We once cranked up some s&b full patch 45gn semi spitzers. Not designed to expand but at 250 velocities they worked just fine without the mess!

 

[Sorley121]

Agreed, I would stick with the 55gr. There seems to be less availability on the 40gr rounds and even the 53gr Hornady round now. Nice idea but just stick with the masses and consistent performance crowd!

 

[jakey3]

How much more energy, enough to make a difference ?

55grain are 3550fps and 40grain are 4200fps

 

[Nickb]

People are obsessed with the plastic tipped bullets. I don't understand why.
They are for blowing prairie dogs to bits.

Same here I much prefer soft points , not a fan of v max.

 

[jakey3]

Someone on here is launching 40 grain Vmax out of his Ruger Mk2 .220Swift at silly speeds... can't quite remember but it's Cooper something or other.. he has no complaints apparently.
Edit; He's reloading homebrews obviously.

Cooking up a masterpiece

 

[jb1]

The reason for the change to 40s is the cost of £9 a box, thats a fair saving. Looking at alternatives 50 and 55 grn, there are American Eagle and PPU all cheaper that could be another options these range from £22 to £29. If they shoot well of course is something that would need to be checked.

 

[CookM]

I used to shoot a lot of 40gr at crows and long-range rabbits in Hants,but moved to 50+gr for the last 20 plus years in Devon.
No room for runners near coastal villages.
My mates back there are using 50/55gr PPU on big estates with no complaints,l get the brass.
Winner.

 

[kenbro]

I commented on similar a while ago, not 40g but 35g 4500fps shot 1 fox, placement bob on. Fox ran into woodland, found sometime after and dispatched. This was years ago, remains of the box are still in the cabinet, I think there were £23 so a few years back.
Stick with 50 or 55s

Hi,
I’ll give you your money back plus postage for the 99 you have left.
Cheers, Ken.