53g vmax problems

[jacre1993]

Curious if anyone else “with a slow twist has had any issues with this bullet when reloading .
I reload for several calibers , and have worked up many different loads with the 22-250 in 2 different rifles.
I have loaded 50g vmax and other 55g bullets good very good results in both ranging from 1/2 MOA to one blurred hole.

But between both of the 2 22-250 tikka t3 with 1/14 twist I cannot get these to work at all.
And I mean struggling to hit the A4 target paper!
No doubt these bullets are tumbling and not stabilising but just curious if anyone else has had issues with these before?
Obviously only really looking for feedback from others with the same rifle or twist rate as it will be comparable.

I know these twist rates aren’t too good for 60g and upwards but thought these would have done well.

I only looked to try the 53s as the 50s shoot 1 hole groups but they exploded on the way in and results can vary without stopping fox’s on the spot.

Are the 53g longer than the 55g in the vmax? With a different shape ?

I haven’t reloaded any 55g vmax but have previously used factory ammunition with these and they presented a cloverleaf.

I went back and checked the gun with previous loads straight away and the gun works!!!

Thanks

Jamie

 

[samdk]

Hi Jamie,

These tumbled out of my 24” 1-14 22-250, they are very long for their weight as you can see below:

50gr Vmax- 0.772”
53gr Vmax- 0.830”
55gr Vmax- 0.811”

I chose the 55gr Sierra Blitzking as it has the best BC of the 55gr bullets, shoots very well in my rifle and drops foxes on the spot!

Sam

 

[Lancaster]

Curious if anyone else “with a slow twist has had any issues with this bullet when reloading .
I reload for several calibers , and have worked up many different loads with the 22-250 in 2 different rifles.
I have loaded 50g vmax and other 55g bullets good very good results in both ranging from 1/2 MOA to one blurred hole.

But between both of the 2 22-250 tikka t3 with 1/14 twist I cannot get these to work at all.
And I mean struggling to hit the A4 target paper!
No doubt these bullets are tumbling and not stabilising but just curious if anyone else has had issues with these before?
Obviously only really looking for feedback from others with the same rifle or twist rate as it will be comparable.

I know these twist rates aren’t too good for 60g and upwards but thought these would have done well.

I only looked to try the 53s as the 50s shoot 1 hole groups but they exploded on the way in and results can vary without stopping fox’s on the spot.

Are the 53g longer than the 55g in the vmax? With a different shape ?

I haven’t reloaded any 55g vmax but have previously used factory ammunition with these and they presented a cloverleaf.

I went back and checked the gun with previous loads straight away and the gun works!!!

Thanks

Jamie

I've tried them in three 1:14" twist rifles, two .222 and one 22-250, they didn't work in any of them, sometimes not hitting an A4 target, other times going through the target sideways.
I think they are simply too long to stabilise in a slow twist barrel.

 

[andyk]

The 53gr V-max is perhaps the highest BC bullet in that weight class (or at least one of them) and also one of the longest. I have a feeling Hornady designed it to be about as good as you can get out of a 1:12.

I’ve heard of some people making it work in a 1:14, I fear those may be the exceptions to the rule.

Edit, I know they’re not 100%, but the below is from the JBM stability calculator.

 

[kenbro]

Jacre,
Try taking the tips out of a few and then see how they shoot.
Really don't need the tip if they group good.
Ken.

 

[hendrix's rifle]

They're marginal in a 1-12 twist, I'm not surprised you can't get them working in a 14. They're really long bullets. As above, stick to a 50/55 and you should be fine

 

[jacre1993]

It’s nice to have reassurance that I wasn’t going mad!!
Thanks all for your responses

 

[Kiwiguy]

Below the load data in the Hornady Tenth Edition reloading manual it states that the 53 gr VMax will not stabilise in a 1:14" twist barrel.
The Sierra Sixth Edition manual states that the
55 grain BlitzKing requires a 1:12" or faster twist barrel.

 

[Len the dog]

I’m currently using Sierra 55gn Blitzkings in a 1:14 T3X 20” and they produce cloverleaf groups, not sure whether they are any better than 50gn Vmax as they both make a right mess of foxes.

 

[SPRUCEY]

I've a browning A bolt 2 in .223 which is a 1-14 twist, I load the 53g Vmax and manage to get 1/2 moa with them no problem?
using 21.4gr of N130. Barrel length i think is 22in off the top of my head.

 

[Tikka595]

I've a browning A bolt 2 in .223 which is a 1-14 twist, I load the 53g Vmax and manage to get 1/2 moa with them no problem?
using 21.4gr of N130. Barrel length i think is 22in off the top of my head.

i to have no issues
222REM
1:4twist ..
53g VMax …
N120 powder..20.6
22” barrel…
Blaser R8 1/2moa at 100yds
Tikka595

 

[Lancaster]

i to have no issues
222REM
1:4twist ..
53g VMax …
N120 powder..20.6
22” barrel…
Blaser R8 1/2moa at 100yds
Tikka595

That load is as hot as hell, are you getting any pressure signs?

 

[Tikka595]

That load is as hot as hell, are you getting any pressure signs?

No all good..
but been running it for quite a while now after changing from Reloader10X which was 23g
Tikka595

 

[Lancaster]

No all good..
but been running it for quite a while now after changing from Reloader10X which was 23g
Tikka595

That's insane, how did you manage to stuff 23g of a stick powder like RL10 in a .222 case, a very long drop tube and an electric toothbrush?

 

[Tikka595]

Really it’s not a problem
been shooting a 222 for many years now
do You shoot a 222 yourself?
if you have access to Quickload put some loads through it most reloading manuals are on the safe side for obvious reasons..
Cheers Tikka595

 

[308tikka]

Both 53 and 55gn vmax work fine in my 22-250 1/14t

53 gn berger and the old amax also fine.

How many rounds through the barrel and what speed are you sending them?

Also in this temperature ? Summer shooting might well provide different results.

 

[Lancaster]

Really it’s not a problem
been shooting a 222 for many years now
do You shoot a 222 yourself?
if you have access to Quickload put some loads through it most reloading manuals are on the safe side for obvious reasons..
Cheers Tikka595

Yep, I've had several over the last 40+ years, still have one now and reloaded for quite a few more.
I ran your loads through QL and 20.6g of N120 gave 56500+psi, 23g of RL10 gave 65800+, CIP max is 53664psi.
The Viht is a bit too warm for me and the RL10 load is downright dangerous IMO, but if it worked for you crack on