Thoughts on Hornady 223 53 Grain V-MAX for Varmint Hunting?

General
1

I’ve been really curious about the Hornady 223 53 grain V-MAX bullets lately, especially for varmint hunting and target shooting scenarios. I’m looking for anyone who has used these specifically for small game like coyotes. Here are a few points I’m hoping to get feedback on:

Performance Insights

  • Ballistic Performance: How does it perform at various ranges? What are your experiences with consistency and accuracy?
  • Expansion: Does it provide effective expansion on impact, or are there any concerns?
  • Barrel Twist: What twist rate do you find works best for this bullet?

Reloading Tips

  • If you’ve reloaded these, what loads have you found to be optimal?
  • Any specific powders or primers that worked especially well?

Personal Experiences

  • Would love to hear personal stories on how they’ve performed in the field.
  • Any notable successes or failures?

I think getting some diverse insights would help a lot for those of us considering this bullet. Looking forward to your thoughts!

2 Likes
2

I’ve been using the Hornady 223 53 grain V-MAX for a couple of seasons now. It’s incredibly accurate and really shines when it comes to varmint hunting. The expansion on impact is impressive too.

3

Agreed! I’ve taken down several groundhogs with it. The terminal ballistics are fantastic - they rarely run after being hit.

4

I’ve noticed the trajectory of this ammo is very flat, which makes it easier to estimate range. Less compensation needed when shooting longer distances.

5

That’s one of its strong points! It definitely enhances accuracy, especially in the field. I love how consistent it is.

6

I’ve been considering trying this ammunition. How does it compare to other brands like Federal or Winchester for varmint hunting?

7

In my experience, Hornady has superior accuracy and expansion. I switched from Federal and haven’t looked back.

8

I have a friend who swears by this round for target shooting too. It seems to be versatile!

9

Definitely! I’ve used it for both varmint hunting and paper targets, and it performs admirably in both.

10

Has anyone experienced any issues with this ammo? I’m curious if it cycles well in different AR models.

11

I’ve found it cycles perfectly in my Smith & Wesson M&P. No jams or misfires.

12

I’ve had great success with these rounds too! Wait until you see how they perform on coyotes. You won’t be disappointed!

13

How many coyotes can one ammo type take down before it loses effectiveness? Asking for a friend! Ha!

14

Haha! I’d say a few, but the effectiveness will eventually depend on range and shot placement.

8 Likes
15

Honestly, I think that’s part of the appeal. They’re great for those day hunts, and the cost is manageable, especially with the performance you’re getting.

16

I’ve been using the Hornady 223 53 Grain V-MAX for a few seasons now, and it’s performed excellently for varmints. The accuracy is impressive, and I’ve noticed minimal pelt damage. It’s hard to beat for the price!

17

That sounds great! Have you compared it to any other brands, like Nosler or Sierra? I’m curious how the performance stacks up against them.

18

I haven’t tried Nosler, but I’ve shot Sierra’s 55 grain blitzking alongside the Hornady. I found the V-MAX to be a bit more explosive on impact with smaller game.

5 Likes
19

I agree, the V-MAX tends to deliver a devastating effect on varmints, especially coyotes. Plus, it’s often priced competitively. Have any of you found better deals elsewhere?

20

I’ve checked a few local shops and the pricing is fairly consistent. I’d say they’re a good option, but I’m open to alternatives if anyone has suggestions.