53 Grain Hornady Vmax in a Swift

mikegranger

mikegranger

Well-known member
I was looking at Hornady bullets last night on the internet and saw the 53 Vmax with a BC of .290. While in the gun store today noticed they had two boxes so bought them. Of course wouldn't you know when I get home and start reading about loads I immediately discover they are not meant to be shot out of 1:14 twist such as my Swift.

I know there are a bunch of Swift shooters on our board. Have any of you tried?
 
Where did you read that a 1/14" twist would not work for that bullet? That is almost an ideal twist for a bullet of that weight and I have shot 1000's of bullets in the 52-53 weight group with my Swift of that twist. I used to use match bullets in that weight all the time but gave up using them for more explosive bullets such as the Vmax. I had shot some critters and had the match bullets do pass throughs with little damage. Killed them on the spot but hey- I'm all about the toss.

But to answer your question, no- I have not tried the 53 grain Vmax but I have shot a half jillion of the 50 and 55 grainers so I see no reason why your gun should be anything less that delighted with than bullet.
 
Originally Posted By: Rustydust
"Where did you read that a 1/14" twist would not work for that bullet? That is almost an ideal twist for a bullet of that weight and I have shot 1000's of bullets in the 52-53 weight group with my Swift of that twist. I used to use match bullets in that weight all the time but gave up using them for more explosive bullets such as the Vmax. I had shot some critters and had the match bullets do pass throughs with little damage. Killed them on the spot but hey- I'm all about the toss.

But to answer your question, no- I have not tried the 53 grain Vmax but I have shot a half jillion of the 50 and 55 grainers so I see no reason why your gun should be anything less that delighted with than bullet."



It is not the the weight that determines the required twist, it is the length, and the 53 V-Max is longer than the 55 V-Max.

Hornady says it should be shot in a 12" or faster twist.

That being said, I have shot them out of a 14" Swift, and they are OK (but not stunning).

The 0.290 BC is a bit of an advertising number, the Sierra 55 BK has a higher BC than the 53 V-Max.


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I would sure give them a whirl. At lower elevation they are on the ragged edge of stability from a 1-14 twist and have to be pushed real hard [fast] to stabilize.

On the other hand, at higher elevation [lower barometer] they have shot great from every 1-14 twist barrel I have tried them in including my 222 Rem Mag. The 53gr V-Max is my current coyote bullet out of two different 22-250's, 1-14 twist. Although I am pushing them along at 3900fps.
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However they have grouped real nice down to ~ 3300fps out of a 1-14 twist.

I have not shot the 53gr V-Max below 5000' elevation.
 
Shoot the 55gr NBT, Q's favorite coyote "killer" for the 220 Swift. I mean if you're gonna stop shooting the 204Ruger due to lost dogs why fling a vmax where the nbt will penetrate deeper.

I shot it in 22-250 at 3750fps and raking splashes still coyotes down, gut shots put coyotes down.

Shot a wolf running straight at me (he didn't know it) in the chest at 160yds and the bullet exited at the last ribs.
 


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