Hornady 40gr. V-Max
- Thread starter flyrodder
- Start date
I did have the 40 V-MAX's splash real bad for me on foxes out of my 22hornet at just 2,875fps. But that's a thin skinned little critter now, much more so than a coyote or even a ground-hog. I think the 40 V-MAX is a flat out amazing killer though. Anchors everything I've ever shot with them, both in my hornet as well as in my 222. And very accurate. But I have to do something different in my hornet for this next fur season, that's for sure.
52 Bergers (match target hollow points now, not the FB's), almost always provide a pass-thru in my experience. Same with the Noslers due to their more solid bases. But I could see where the Noslers might be a better way to go, especially the 50-55 weight class, for coyote. I shoot 70NBT's at nearly 3,400fps out of my 243win and love that combination. They often won't exit at short range, but not exactly a fur friendly round when you take them out a little further.
52 Bergers (match target hollow points now, not the FB's), almost always provide a pass-thru in my experience. Same with the Noslers due to their more solid bases. But I could see where the Noslers might be a better way to go, especially the 50-55 weight class, for coyote. I shoot 70NBT's at nearly 3,400fps out of my 243win and love that combination. They often won't exit at short range, but not exactly a fur friendly round when you take them out a little further.
rudymontana
New member
I use VMAX bullets for coyotes etc. Never had a coyote go more than 20 yards. Most fell DRT. I do use 53gr. out of a 223. Have shot 40 gr. but, I had my rifle sighted in for 53gr. That said I haven't shot a coyote with the 40 gr. VMAX. My weapon seems to like the 53gr. for best groups. I might have to try 40 gr. to see if it makes just a hole in and no exit. Is this usually the case with those of you that are using it on coyotes? Rudy
40 gr Vmax and 40gr Nosler BT's used to be almost all I used on yotes in my 20in 1-9tw 223. Both, with dramatically bloody results. I shot more of the Nosler BT 40's but only because they shot a little better in my gun.
The 52/53 Sierra Matchkings always have shot excellent in anything I used them in but they're a pretty tough bullet the with a pretty small hole and my experience with them was they didn't really like to open up much. I shot my furthest ground hogs with them but they all just speared straight through almost like a fmj. I've never saved pelts so I always want big messy holes.
I shoot 75gr Vmax in my 6-284 for that very reason, because they blow huge gapping holes in coyotes and it makes them DRT upon impact and groundhogs, forget about it, it turns them inside out!!
The 52/53 Sierra Matchkings always have shot excellent in anything I used them in but they're a pretty tough bullet the with a pretty small hole and my experience with them was they didn't really like to open up much. I shot my furthest ground hogs with them but they all just speared straight through almost like a fmj. I've never saved pelts so I always want big messy holes.
I shoot 75gr Vmax in my 6-284 for that very reason, because they blow huge gapping holes in coyotes and it makes them DRT upon impact and groundhogs, forget about it, it turns them inside out!!
I would suggest that you read the article in Predator Extreame that talks to those "very well known pros" and what you see is that most of them use Vmax.
These guys kill a lot of coyotes. Vmax works well.
I used the 40gr in my 22-250 [1:14 twist] it stabilized very well and I had great results.. I shot several fox, bobcat, and more than a truck load of coyotes. I didn't have anymore blowouts than anything else i have tried. That isn't the bullet but the energy of the bullet and the bones. I had fox that had pin pricks, and most coyotes i had to drag to the truck before a drop of blood came out to show where the bullet impacted. Yes, i have had some that needed sewing, but so what. 10 minutes of sewing, is a lot better than spending time (limited as it is) when i am hunting looking for a dead coyote. I have never had a coyote make it more than 20yrds. I had nothing but tracking issues with HPs and others like SPs. I did have a blowout of a Lynx that left me in tears when the bullet blew out the backside of the lynx at 45yrds, but that is the reason I carry a shotgun. I use that for everything inside 40 yrds and use the rifle for everything else. Now i only get a few a year that have to be sewn.
The round doesn't expand until after it goes in. If you hit a bone, most are going to cause you to sew. I don't like to and do what i can to wait for a broadside shot. If i do shoot a head on shot, I aim for just below the back bone level. Any lower and the shot will be between the armpits and that doesn't make skinning easier, it makes for a mess. That and head shots. The only time i do that is with the shotgun. Rifle bullets in the head make skinning and fleshing take more time and costs me money becuase of the time it takes to skin and then flesh.
This kind of question comes up almost monthly.
I know few people on here that actually skin, stretch, flesh, or sew. So i am not sure why "splash matters" I would rather spend 10 minutes sewing than 30 minutes looking for a dead coyote. once i stopped shooting coyotes the way you would shoot a deer, the splash wounds almost stopped. I know when it's going to happen when i shoot and hit the bones in the ribs in a head on shot, or shoulder shot. I now aim for mid body of a little high of center broadside shot. I aim for just after the last rib. Why? Because when you hit there that vmax goes in, and doesn't hit a bone, and then expands and the inside is just jello. They drop DRT and in some cases they even leave a face print in the dirt or snow. Dead as a stone.
If i was going to work up a load, i would suggest that you look at 40-53gr bullets. I think the 53 is a far superior round, and if your rifle likes it, would use that over anything else. Of course the most accurate should win.
These guys kill a lot of coyotes. Vmax works well.
I used the 40gr in my 22-250 [1:14 twist] it stabilized very well and I had great results.. I shot several fox, bobcat, and more than a truck load of coyotes. I didn't have anymore blowouts than anything else i have tried. That isn't the bullet but the energy of the bullet and the bones. I had fox that had pin pricks, and most coyotes i had to drag to the truck before a drop of blood came out to show where the bullet impacted. Yes, i have had some that needed sewing, but so what. 10 minutes of sewing, is a lot better than spending time (limited as it is) when i am hunting looking for a dead coyote. I have never had a coyote make it more than 20yrds. I had nothing but tracking issues with HPs and others like SPs. I did have a blowout of a Lynx that left me in tears when the bullet blew out the backside of the lynx at 45yrds, but that is the reason I carry a shotgun. I use that for everything inside 40 yrds and use the rifle for everything else. Now i only get a few a year that have to be sewn.
The round doesn't expand until after it goes in. If you hit a bone, most are going to cause you to sew. I don't like to and do what i can to wait for a broadside shot. If i do shoot a head on shot, I aim for just below the back bone level. Any lower and the shot will be between the armpits and that doesn't make skinning easier, it makes for a mess. That and head shots. The only time i do that is with the shotgun. Rifle bullets in the head make skinning and fleshing take more time and costs me money becuase of the time it takes to skin and then flesh.
This kind of question comes up almost monthly.
I know few people on here that actually skin, stretch, flesh, or sew. So i am not sure why "splash matters" I would rather spend 10 minutes sewing than 30 minutes looking for a dead coyote. once i stopped shooting coyotes the way you would shoot a deer, the splash wounds almost stopped. I know when it's going to happen when i shoot and hit the bones in the ribs in a head on shot, or shoulder shot. I now aim for mid body of a little high of center broadside shot. I aim for just after the last rib. Why? Because when you hit there that vmax goes in, and doesn't hit a bone, and then expands and the inside is just jello. They drop DRT and in some cases they even leave a face print in the dirt or snow. Dead as a stone.
If i was going to work up a load, i would suggest that you look at 40-53gr bullets. I think the 53 is a far superior round, and if your rifle likes it, would use that over anything else. Of course the most accurate should win.
I would also point out that both Al morris, and Les Johnson both use Hornady.
They each kill more than 99% of the people on here. I see the coyotes on TV. If blowouts or splashes are as common as some would have you believe, there would be blood all over the place. You can't hide that kind of thing very well.
I watch the shows and specifically look each time at the pelts. Seems fine to me. I am not saying they don't have them, and don't put the hole side down, but it would be something you would spot fairly quickly the way some talk about the vmax.
I for one can't figure out why everytime a question comes up about a specific bullet some take it upon themselves to bash one maker over their favorites. I don't use Nosler, i tried, and barnes but don't have anything bad to say, they just didn't give me the results and accuracy i was looking for in my rifles. I don't exclude them when working up a new load, but don't see the logic in the trying to say the one you use works better when that wasn't the question.
Just my 2 cents.
They each kill more than 99% of the people on here. I see the coyotes on TV. If blowouts or splashes are as common as some would have you believe, there would be blood all over the place. You can't hide that kind of thing very well.
I watch the shows and specifically look each time at the pelts. Seems fine to me. I am not saying they don't have them, and don't put the hole side down, but it would be something you would spot fairly quickly the way some talk about the vmax.
I for one can't figure out why everytime a question comes up about a specific bullet some take it upon themselves to bash one maker over their favorites. I don't use Nosler, i tried, and barnes but don't have anything bad to say, they just didn't give me the results and accuracy i was looking for in my rifles. I don't exclude them when working up a new load, but don't see the logic in the trying to say the one you use works better when that wasn't the question.
Just my 2 cents.
Tbone, I couldn't agree with you more, in regard to the 53gr Vmax!
I rebarreled my Rem LTR with a Hart 1-9 and had it chambered to a 223 ack imp right as Hornady was releasing the 53Vmax. As Forrest Gump would say, "they go together like peas and carrots!" In fact, I can't remember the last time I grabbed my 6-284 and I've got wayyyyy more money invested in it then my 223ai.
I rebarreled my Rem LTR with a Hart 1-9 and had it chambered to a 223 ack imp right as Hornady was releasing the 53Vmax. As Forrest Gump would say, "they go together like peas and carrots!" In fact, I can't remember the last time I grabbed my 6-284 and I've got wayyyyy more money invested in it then my 223ai.
Smokeless
New member
Originally Posted By: Tbone-AZI would also point out that both Al morris, and Les Johnson both use Hornady.
They each kill more than 99% of the people on here. I see the coyotes on TV. If blowouts or splashes are as common as some would have you believe, there would be blood all over the place. You can't hide that kind of thing very well.
I watch the shows and specifically look each time at the pelts. Seems fine to me. I am not saying they don't have them, and don't put the hole side down, but it would be something you would spot fairly quickly the way some talk about the vmax.
I for one can't figure out why everytime a question comes up about a specific bullet some take it upon themselves to bash one maker over their favorites. I don't use Nosler, i tried, and barnes but don't have anything bad to say, they just didn't give me the results and accuracy i was looking for in my rifles. I don't exclude them when working up a new load, but don't see the logic in the trying to say the one you use works better when that wasn't the question.
Just my 2 cents.
I agree with most of what you said Tbone,,,,,,, but, the big names in coyote hunting that are "Fueled by Hornady" are being paid by by Hornady. Not only that they are supplied ammo by Hornady. Of course it's the best. Just like Ruger, Night Force and the brand they promote.
You can still kill coyotes all day with other brand stuff. Just say'n.
Not a push at you.
Run what works for you and let the chatter be cheddar.
They each kill more than 99% of the people on here. I see the coyotes on TV. If blowouts or splashes are as common as some would have you believe, there would be blood all over the place. You can't hide that kind of thing very well.
I watch the shows and specifically look each time at the pelts. Seems fine to me. I am not saying they don't have them, and don't put the hole side down, but it would be something you would spot fairly quickly the way some talk about the vmax.
I for one can't figure out why everytime a question comes up about a specific bullet some take it upon themselves to bash one maker over their favorites. I don't use Nosler, i tried, and barnes but don't have anything bad to say, they just didn't give me the results and accuracy i was looking for in my rifles. I don't exclude them when working up a new load, but don't see the logic in the trying to say the one you use works better when that wasn't the question.
Just my 2 cents.
I agree with most of what you said Tbone,,,,,,, but, the big names in coyote hunting that are "Fueled by Hornady" are being paid by by Hornady. Not only that they are supplied ammo by Hornady. Of course it's the best. Just like Ruger, Night Force and the brand they promote.
You can still kill coyotes all day with other brand stuff. Just say'n.
Not a push at you.
Run what works for you and let the chatter be cheddar.