22-250 & Hornady v-max 50gn or 55gn

[DCG]

After a bit of feed back really.
I’ve had some excellent results both accuracy wise and performance wise with Sako arrowheads in 22-250. These utilise the Nosler ballistic tip in 50gn. Sako appear to have dropped these, so I was going to try to replicate these directly, however the Hornady V-max bullet is more readily available locally and quite a bit cheaper than the Nosler flavour. So, as I’ve had some good success with these in the past in .243, I was considering giving these a go instead.
My question is this. The round is almost exclusively going to be used at ranges on average between 175m and 250m on foxes, so almost explosive fragmentation is desirable. I have the option of using the 50gn or 55gn.
I’ve done all of the calculations on the apps etc, but real world experiences would be appreciated.
What have you used, how did it perform and how accurate was it?

 

[bryn]

I’ve had a 22-250 for about 5 years now (Tikka Sup Varm) (Now re barrelled) and started off shooting Win Varm X 55g which were very accurate. Last year out of boredom I started reloading for it and was probably the easiest of all the calibers I reload for. 37g of viht 140 but using the 55g Nosler varmageddon. Over the years I can count on one hand the runners I’ve had and they were all my error and not the rounds. I have friends who shoot booth the 50g and 55g round (Hornady and Nosler) and their experience is very similar to mine, a devastatingly flat accurate round.
I went with Nosler because they happen to have that in 55g in the shop and you can buy them in 250’s which keeps the price down a little.
Not exactly Hornady experience but hope it helps.

bryn

 

[Cottis]

Consider the Nosler Varmegeddon range of bullets. You will have choices of 40, 53 and 55grain. Flat base tipped bullets that are super accurate and highly explosive, more so than their BT brothers and the Vmax.

They are also cheaper and come in 250 count boxes for better value.

 

[Cottis]

Oh, Bryn beat me to it

 

[tikkathreebarrels]

After a bit of feed back really.
I’ve had some excellent results both accuracy wise and performance wise with Sako arrowheads in 22-250. These utilise the Nosler ballistic tip in 50gn. Sako appear to have dropped these, so I was going to try to replicate these directly, however the Hornady V-max bullet is more readily available locally and quite a bit cheaper than the Nosler flavour. So, as I’ve had some good success with these in the past in .243, I was considering giving these a go instead.
My question is this. The round is almost exclusively going to be used at ranges on average between 175m and 250m on foxes, so almost explosive fragmentation is desirable. I have the option of using the 50gn or 55gn.
I’ve done all of the calculations on the apps etc, but real world experiences would be appreciated.
What have you used, how did it perform and how accurate was it?

55gr VMax did it for me for years. If you're in GB or possibly Yew-rope I guess you probably can't now get H380 so you'll need a new recipe.

My memory on this may now be technically obsolete but it used to be the difference between the 55grain VMax and the 50gn VMax boat-tail was literally the weight shaved off in the boat tail. Your typical range pretty well matches what I was shooting over and I settled on a zero range of 225 yards on the basis that if I could see it and identify it I could shoot it point of aim and didn't have to worry about holding over. 3630fps. Never had a runner.

I did have a buddy shooting 55gn VMax through a 243, I'd be the first to acknowledge that 6mm is ballistically superior to .224 but I suspect you'd want the right twist rate for such a titchy little bullet.

It always comes down to the eternal question: one rifle to do many things or many tasks require many rifles.

 

[shearstu]

I’ve had a 22-250 for about 5 years now (Tikka Sup Varm) (Now re barrelled) and started off shooting Win Varm X 55g which were very accurate. Last year out of boredom I started reloading for it and was probably the easiest of all the calibers I reload for. 37g of viht 140 but using the 55g Nosler varmageddon. Over the years I can count on one hand the runners I’ve had and they were all my error and not the rounds. I have friends who shoot booth the 50g and 55g round (Hornady and Nosler) and their experience is very similar to mine, a devastatingly flat accurate round.
I went with Nosler because they happen to have that in 55g in the shop and you can buy them in 250’s which keeps the price down a little.
Not exactly Hornady experience but hope it helps.

bryn

How did u find the win 55gr bullets preformed on Charlie
Just got some to try

 

[bryn]

Very good. A devastating round which causes a great deal of damage no matter where it hit.

bryn

 

[rangey]

I have recently had my howa 22.250 rebarreled with a 1-12 twist barrel.
This now shoots the 53gr vmax at 3800fps and very accurate. Factory ammo I always used 55gr winchester varmint x.

 

[mealiejimmy]

50gn V Max in my Tikka 22-250.
Charlie doesn't move much, if at all, after being hit with one of these at ranges well beyond 300 yards

Cheers

Bruce

 

[bluesako]

40 years reloading 22,250 for fox, my go to load for years, as got to be 55gr vmax 35 gr n140 it just works bs

 

[25 Sharps]

After a bit of feed back really.
I’ve had some excellent results both accuracy wise and performance wise with Sako arrowheads in 22-250. These utilise the Nosler ballistic tip in 50gn. Sako appear to have dropped these, so I was going to try to replicate these directly, however the Hornady V-max bullet is more readily available locally and quite a bit cheaper than the Nosler flavour. So, as I’ve had some good success with these in the past in .243, I was considering giving these a go instead.
My question is this. The round is almost exclusively going to be used at ranges on average between 175m and 250m on foxes, so almost explosive fragmentation is desirable. I have the option of using the 50gn or 55gn.
I’ve done all of the calculations on the apps etc, but real world experiences would be appreciated.
What have you used, how did it perform and how accurate was it?

I use the 50 gr v max in a .223 AI at those ranges and they are excellent, not running fast, around 3400 FPS so you could easily get another 400 fps.

also use them for the yearly hare cull and head shots out to 150+ in some fairly stiff breezes is easily doable

 

[NP435]

55grn V-max is flat base in .224, I used the 50grn version until none could be found then tried the 52grn A-max that I prefer. I have 55grn Sierra Blitz King loaded for the .223. Look at the bc for .243 55grn then the same weight in .224 see what has the better bc. Any of these will work fine on fox.

 

[mealiejimmy]

Hornady no longer make A max bullets in 224 cal

Cheers

Bruce

 

[NP435]

Hornady no longer make A max bullets in 224 cal

Cheers

Bruce

correct sir now ELD Match and at this point none to be found for sale. My personal inventory has plenty of A-Max.

 

[andychas]

50gn vmax over N140 is my go to in 22-250, apart from a bergara that wouldn’t group (turned out to be the moderator threading) they’ve been exceptional in the old x bolt and new Tikka foxing rifles. Performance on target has always been emphatic, with only shot placement to blame for runners, they are a very confidence inspiring bullet imo.

 

[Bramble]

Always used 50grn vmax, no problems.

 

[DCG]

Cheers everyone,
There certainly seems to be a good following for the Varmageddon, which I hadn’t really looked at and they’re quite a bit cheaper than both the v-max as well as the ballistic tip. Might have a change of plan.
Having talked to one or two suppliers recently, it does appear that the Hornady stuff is in short supply again.
Thanks again dcg

 

[rms364]

50g vmax, vit 130 out of my 222 works great on fox. I’ve tried 40 g blitz king, very accurate but too many runners with chest shots. My 50g are travelling @3050 for what it’s worth.....

 

[DCG]

50g vmax, vit 130 out of my 222 works great on fox. I’ve tried 40 g blitz king, very accurate but too many runners with chest shots. My 50g are travelling @3050 for what it’s worth.....

That’s interesting, especially with the 40gn

 

[salopsniper]

I have recently had my howa 22.250 rebarreled with a 1-12 twist barrel.
This now shoots the 53gr vmax at 3800fps and very accurate. Factory ammo I always used 55gr winchester varmint x.

What powder do you use ?