I've shot the 40 grain VMax in both the 223 and 22-250, and my 22-250 loves them. I load for and shot several 223's, both AR and bolt guns, and use VXax bullets in them. I use 50, 53, and 55 grain bullets in different rifles, but my most used bullet by far is the 50 grain VMax. It will flat kill a coyote, and I've had very few that weren't DRT, nor have I experienced much in the way of fur damage. Now, to be fair, I don't save fur on coyotes, so I could care less about that. However, I have used the 50 VMax on bobcats, and have seen no fur damage to speak of. I will also add that I have used the 32 grain VMax in the 204, with mixed results. At the higher velocities of this cartridge, I believe you get more splat and less penetration, if the bullet hits bone. At one time I gave up on the 204 because of repeated failures, but have since gone back to shooting it. I'm using both the 32 grain VMax and the 35 Bergers, but am not pushing them at max speeds, and so far the results have been very good.