I’ve been working on getting a lightweight AR carbine dialed in for coyote hunting. I’d like to use the 55 grain v-max, but I haven’t been able to get ideal results, so far. Well, I finally got around to measuring the chamber with a modified case and, with the 55 v-max, An OAL of 2.2895 is just touching the lands. I’ve been loading to Hornady book specs, and they use an OAL of 2.250, which means the bullet is making a jump of almost .040. I just so happen to have a few metal 10 round magazines that will just barely clear an OAL of 2.2895. Would there be any downside to loading out to 2.285 or 2.280, to cut that jump down to .005 or .010”? I’m thinking this might be the next best option, but I wanted to see what everyone else thoughts were.
223/55 v-max OAL
- Thread starter cjclemens
- Start date
arlaunch
Active member
CJ,
What are your thoughts on sufficient amount of bullet being in the case neck?
That might just work. But it seems it would be on the edge of being loaded a bit long for a FB bullet going through an aggressive semi auto?
My Nosler BT's shoot amazing out of my Colt 6724. That thing has the biggest chamber of all my rifles. The bullet jumps across 2 rivers to make the lands.
I think these types of bullets are made to jump.
I have seen a fella on youtube cut the case neck wall with a Dremmel to see how much bullet is in the "constriction zone".
I suppose you could load up 5, and single load to verify if they even shoot good with no commitment, or hassle.
Just stick the thing in the chamber and cut free the bolt.
It would be easy math if you had the right tools?
What are your thoughts on sufficient amount of bullet being in the case neck?
That might just work. But it seems it would be on the edge of being loaded a bit long for a FB bullet going through an aggressive semi auto?
My Nosler BT's shoot amazing out of my Colt 6724. That thing has the biggest chamber of all my rifles. The bullet jumps across 2 rivers to make the lands.
I think these types of bullets are made to jump.
I have seen a fella on youtube cut the case neck wall with a Dremmel to see how much bullet is in the "constriction zone".
I suppose you could load up 5, and single load to verify if they even shoot good with no commitment, or hassle.
Just stick the thing in the chamber and cut free the bolt.
It would be easy math if you had the right tools?
Originally Posted By: arlaunchCJ,
What are your thoughts on sufficient amount of bullet being in the case neck?
That might just work. But it seems it would be on the edge of being loaded a bit long for a FB bullet going through an aggressive semi auto?
My Nosler BT's shoot amazing out of my Colt 6724. That thing has the biggest chamber of all my rifles. The bullet jumps across 2 rivers to make the lands.
I think these types of bullets are made to jump.
I have seen a fella on youtube cut the case neck wall with a Dremmel to see how much bullet is in the "constriction zone".
I suppose you could load up 5, and single load to verify if they even shoot good with no commitment, or hassle.
Just stick the thing in the chamber and cut free the bolt.
It would be easy math if you had the right tools?
That’s exactly how I modified the case. Just used a dremel to make a slit in the neck, get a bullet started, drop it in the chamber and gently close the bolt on it. The 55 V-Max is a flat base bullet. I can see in the slot that the bullet makes contact with the entire length of the neck, too.
I’m not sure if any bullets are designed to make a jump like that, but I suppose some probably tolerate it better than others. Heck, for that matter, it could be more about the barrel. That’s beyond my level of expertise here.
If you haven’t played with OAL for your Colt, maybe you should. You might be missing out on something even better!
What are your thoughts on sufficient amount of bullet being in the case neck?
That might just work. But it seems it would be on the edge of being loaded a bit long for a FB bullet going through an aggressive semi auto?
My Nosler BT's shoot amazing out of my Colt 6724. That thing has the biggest chamber of all my rifles. The bullet jumps across 2 rivers to make the lands.
I think these types of bullets are made to jump.
I have seen a fella on youtube cut the case neck wall with a Dremmel to see how much bullet is in the "constriction zone".
I suppose you could load up 5, and single load to verify if they even shoot good with no commitment, or hassle.
Just stick the thing in the chamber and cut free the bolt.
It would be easy math if you had the right tools?
That’s exactly how I modified the case. Just used a dremel to make a slit in the neck, get a bullet started, drop it in the chamber and gently close the bolt on it. The 55 V-Max is a flat base bullet. I can see in the slot that the bullet makes contact with the entire length of the neck, too.
I’m not sure if any bullets are designed to make a jump like that, but I suppose some probably tolerate it better than others. Heck, for that matter, it could be more about the barrel. That’s beyond my level of expertise here.
If you haven’t played with OAL for your Colt, maybe you should. You might be missing out on something even better!
arlaunch
Active member
My RRA responds very well to longer OAL with the 55 Vmax. Did A/B testing with 2.250 and 2.310 and the biggest 5 shot group at 2.310 was smaller than the smallest 5 shot group at 2.250. Very conclusive results.
The Vmax is a bunny blaster and ground squirrel popping load. Have not got around to testing with my coyote hunting load yet, but am hoping it responds as favorably to the longer OAL as the 55 Vmax did.
They fed perfectly, using an ASC 10 round magazine. I'm not happy with the two ASC mags I bought though. The lap joint that holds the front of the magazine together was sprung on one out of the package and not really usable. The welds on the other look like they were done cold with no penetration (booger welds). Just look poorly made all around, I wouldn't buy another.
So I got a couple PRI mags. The front of the magazine is butt welded full length and finished well. Just way better done than the ASC which are lap jointed and half-way plug/spot welded. My only gripe with PRI, is they didn't have a 10 round, so I got two 15's. Have not hunted with them yet, they might not really bother me that much, but I'd still rather have shorter 10 rounders to hunt with. Way nicer magazines than the ASC though and accommodate 2.310 no problem.
- DAA
The Vmax is a bunny blaster and ground squirrel popping load. Have not got around to testing with my coyote hunting load yet, but am hoping it responds as favorably to the longer OAL as the 55 Vmax did.
They fed perfectly, using an ASC 10 round magazine. I'm not happy with the two ASC mags I bought though. The lap joint that holds the front of the magazine together was sprung on one out of the package and not really usable. The welds on the other look like they were done cold with no penetration (booger welds). Just look poorly made all around, I wouldn't buy another.
So I got a couple PRI mags. The front of the magazine is butt welded full length and finished well. Just way better done than the ASC which are lap jointed and half-way plug/spot welded. My only gripe with PRI, is they didn't have a 10 round, so I got two 15's. Have not hunted with them yet, they might not really bother me that much, but I'd still rather have shorter 10 rounders to hunt with. Way nicer magazines than the ASC though and accommodate 2.310 no problem.
- DAA
steve garrett
Well-known member
Originally Posted By: DAAMy RRA responds very well to longer OAL with the 55 Vmax. Did A/B testing with 2.250 and 2.310 and the biggest 5 shot group at 2.310 was smaller than the smallest 5 shot group at 2.250. Very conclusive results.
The Vmax is a bunny blaster and ground squirrel popping load. Have not got around to testing with my coyote hunting load yet, but am hoping it responds as favorably to the longer OAL as the 55 Vmax did.
They fed perfectly, using an ASC 10 round magazine. I'm not happy with the two ASC mags I bought though. The lap joint that holds the front of the magazine together was sprung on one out of the package and not really usable. The welds on the other look like they were done cold with no penetration (booger welds). Just look poorly made all around, I wouldn't buy another.
So I got a couple PRI mags. The front of the magazine is butt welded full length and finished well. Just way better done than the ASC which are lap jointed and half-way plug/spot welded. My only gripe with PRI, is they didn't have a 10 round, so I got two 15's. Have not hunted with them yet, they might not really bother me that much, but I'd still rather have shorter 10 rounders to hunt with. Way nicer magazines than the ASC though and accommodate 2.310 no problem.
- DAA . Sometimes 10 rounds may not be enough. I like being able to grab the mag and well while off hand shooting. That’s why I go 15’s or 20’s that I normally put 12 or 13 shells in. Wait till you drain a mag on stand or forget to top it off.
The Vmax is a bunny blaster and ground squirrel popping load. Have not got around to testing with my coyote hunting load yet, but am hoping it responds as favorably to the longer OAL as the 55 Vmax did.
They fed perfectly, using an ASC 10 round magazine. I'm not happy with the two ASC mags I bought though. The lap joint that holds the front of the magazine together was sprung on one out of the package and not really usable. The welds on the other look like they were done cold with no penetration (booger welds). Just look poorly made all around, I wouldn't buy another.
So I got a couple PRI mags. The front of the magazine is butt welded full length and finished well. Just way better done than the ASC which are lap jointed and half-way plug/spot welded. My only gripe with PRI, is they didn't have a 10 round, so I got two 15's. Have not hunted with them yet, they might not really bother me that much, but I'd still rather have shorter 10 rounders to hunt with. Way nicer magazines than the ASC though and accommodate 2.310 no problem.
- DAA . Sometimes 10 rounds may not be enough. I like being able to grab the mag and well while off hand shooting. That’s why I go 15’s or 20’s that I normally put 12 or 13 shells in. Wait till you drain a mag on stand or forget to top it off.
I use 20's and 30's for bunny blasting but I don't really like the way they effect the handling. I don't like the extra weight either. But bunny blasting, it's worth it vs. changing out mags two or three times as often.
I just don't like the bigger mags for coyote hunting though. Don't like the way they carry, don't like the effect on handling, don't like the weight. I just don't like them. When I run out of ammo on a coyote stand, the madness may as well end at 9 rounds rather than keep going
. And actually, I usually don't bother topping off until it gets down a bit. Quite often sit down to start a stand with only 6 or 7 in the magazine. We'll see how it goes with these PRI 15's though. If the gun shoots my coyote load as much better at 2.310 as it does the Vmax, I'll be using them.
- DAA
I just don't like the bigger mags for coyote hunting though. Don't like the way they carry, don't like the effect on handling, don't like the weight. I just don't like them. When I run out of ammo on a coyote stand, the madness may as well end at 9 rounds rather than keep going
- DAA
Originally Posted By: arlaunchCJ,
Have a look at these:
http://www.ammosc.com/223-stainless-steel-20-rd-magazine/
I have a couple of stainless steel AR Stoner Magazines from MidwayUSA. I'm pretty sure they're made by ASC. I might snag a couple of their 20 rounders, too. I don't think I've ever burned more than 10 rounds at one stand, so I'm fine with getting started with the 10 rounders.
Have a look at these:
http://www.ammosc.com/223-stainless-steel-20-rd-magazine/
I have a couple of stainless steel AR Stoner Magazines from MidwayUSA. I'm pretty sure they're made by ASC. I might snag a couple of their 20 rounders, too. I don't think I've ever burned more than 10 rounds at one stand, so I'm fine with getting started with the 10 rounders.
steve garrett
Well-known member
it looks like they have 10 rounders https://www.precisionreflex.com/Detail.aspx?PROD=186787&CAT=4294 holy crap expensive though. are the 15 round mags similar in size(length) to say a 20 round lancer mag?
I need another 6.8 pri mag, I only have 1,
I need another 6.8 pri mag, I only have 1,
So these are what I got: https://www.precisionreflex.com/Detail.aspx?PROD=186788&CAT=4294
Looking that up just now though, I see they do have 10 rounders in stock now. So, if it turns out I'm not in love with the 15's, I'll have the option of 10's.
- DAA
Looking that up just now though, I see they do have 10 rounders in stock now. So, if it turns out I'm not in love with the 15's, I'll have the option of 10's.
- DAA