55 gr. Hornady V-max load data

[5gnut]

Anyone have some data for .223 55gr. Hornady V-Max for BLC-(2), H335 or IMR-4198 ?
Thanks!!

[Fjold]

My bolt gun liked 27 grains of BL-C(2) with the 55 grain bullets.

[croue]

I've used between 19 and 20.5 grains of IMR 4198 with mixed results.
My Rock River uppper works great with them.
My homebuilt ss barrel doesn't cycle well with them. I'm going to try some 40 gr V-Max bullets next to see if they work better. I think 4198 is on the fast side for AR's. Hoping a lighter bullet gets to the port before the gas is all spent.

[jameshenry]

I have had good luck with 55grain Sierra Blitzking with 25.4 grains H335.
started with 24.9 grains and worked up. Used any case and CCI 41 primer.

[sunborder]

I've used 25.5-27.0 grains of BLC-2 with fairly good results. I tested the load against drywall for overpenetration, and it penetrated drastically less than M193 ammo.

I haven't tested it on P-dogs or the like, but that's a function of velocity rather than powder. I did get some weird readings the one time I chrono'd my 25.5 grain loads. My 18" barrel was clocking in @ 150fps slower than my 16" barrel, while other bullets with same powder, charge, and crimp were getting 150fps faster out of the 18" barrel. Also had an extreme SD spread for this bullet and charge only.

I'm assuming that it had something to do with the green tip and sunlight reflection. I am going to do more testing in different sunlight conditions to confirm this, using a ladder-loading approach up to 27.0 grains.

The real question is what you intend on doing with this bullet, and what you intend shooting it out of. There is a big difference between a 20-24" bolt gun and a 16" carbine. Big difference between the accuracy needed for 300 yard P-dog shots and across-the room HD shots.

Are you looking for controlled penetration, worried about stray shots in drywall, want to make varmints vaporize, or just make tiny groups at 500 yards?

[5gnut]

Thanks for the info everyone!

[MR_X]

Edited for better info

[anyracoon]

My Savage 223 model 110 loves 27grs Winchester 748 powder, WSR primer, 55gr VMax, AOL 2.45. Squirrels hate em!

[Jeff213]

Not using the powders you listed... but my favorite load with these bullets is 25.5gr of AA2460 seated at mag length (2.260)

[Fill]

25.5 grains of H335 over a 55 grain VMAX goes 3117 fps (high) and 3081 (low) out of my 16" 1:7 nitride VooDoo barrel. Primers still look good too. I went to 26 grains and only gained about 40 fps more, but the primer cups started to flatten.

55 grainers over 25 grains of H335 (or WC844 surplus powder) is well known to be safe, fast and accurate for both SAAMI and NATO chambers.

I have the Hornady handloaders book referenced above, and its bizarre how low their published data is. Probably to keep them out of trouble I would assume.

[Fill]

.....And my shot groups had a tendency to open up when id try and push for max FPS. That's why ive settles on 25.5gr for 55er's.

[ExtremeX]

55gr Hornady Z-Max / V-Max

26.1gr of BL-C2,
the load isn't that hot but it shot well.
Bulk loading on a progressive.
CCI #41 primers
100 Yards
Rifle = AR-15

[45R]

25gr of 748 with CCI 41 has worked well for me.

[Trainman]

I like 19.5 gr of 4198.