.22 Hornet 40gr Hornady Vmax

[IanB 0]

Anyone use the Hornady 40gr vmax for there hornets, I see most use the 35gr vmax.. From browsing the net I see the 40grain are less prone to wind drift and have a bit more legs with more clout, although the downside being some users are modifying the mags and single loading to use the bullets at the ideal OAL for there rifles.

[mattydski 560]

we tried them Ian... They just dropped off a lot more that the 35gr

Although they were accurate enough and grouped well..

We just stayed with the versatility of the 35gr because you can be a good bit out on range estimation and they still come good....

[cragman 2,635]

I use a 40 grain home load and find they fly as flat as a witches tit out to -90 yds. Only ever flattened something out to that distance.

[Lewdan 17]

Hi Mate, only use 40 grainers in my hornet, they seem to fly more accurate and deliver more stopping power when they hit. originally i did use the 35 grain but as said found them a little unstable in wind. i have used the hornaday but recently used the 40gn sierra blitzking excellent bullet and quite a bit cheaper i reload mine to 1.800" oal, but my rifle is a Ruger 77/22 and there is noproblem with the mag, my mate has a CZ and has to load them individually although i think the mag can bee moded to suit.

how you getting on with this calibre ? any fox yet?

LD

[IanB 0]

Thanks lads..

 

LD, not had it out yet, only just put a scope on it yesterday, still needs setting up, I'll get it sorted tonight and maybe go test on some rabbits or an unlucky fox..I bought a load of winchester 45grain softpoints for it as they were cheap and I'll use the brass for reloading, not much more than new brass really so made sense.

[mattydski 560]

I use a 40 grain home load and find they fly as flat as a witches tit out to -90 yds. Only ever flattened something out to that distance.

We've shot rabbits out to over 200 with the 35gr vmax, with no rangefinder.. I wouldnt have the confidence to do it with the 40gr, due to the extra drop off . My best was a body shot at 280.

35gr still has enough to drop Charlie at 200 as well.

I just cant see past them..

 

Never needed load development either.. first load we made, cloverleafed out the box...

Matty

[IanB 0]

I'll let you know how I get on with it matty...should be a handy gun all round.

[mattydski 560]

what mag scope are you putting on it Ian..?

[IanB 0]

I was going to put a x16 mag one on, but I've just put a 50mm 3-10x mag on it... No need for head shots, dead will do for me, going to be a mopper upper

[mattydski 560]

Best of luck with the new gun !!

[cragman 2,635]

Ian, it's a great little rifle. I've a Ruger 77/22 and feel confident everytime I take it out. Furthest is like I've said, about -90 yds. It hit where I aimed. It's another string to the bow and helps to shift those charlies coming onto my patch a.fter dark

[IanB 0]

Ian, it's a great little rifle. I've a Ruger 77/22 and feel confident everytime I take it out. Furthest is like I've said, about -90 yds. It hit where I aimed. It's another string to the bow and helps to shift those charlies coming onto my patch a.fter dark

 

I mainly use the .22 rimmy and .243 when out cragman, and use the hmr for the rabbits that sit that bit further out and get skitty towards the back end of the season, the HMR isn't doing it for me really, so decided on a hornet after all the positive reviews from lads using them...seems the part so far, I'll get it into action when I get back home again..

[charlie caller 3,654]

If you want to try a 40 or 45 gn bullet try some sierra, they do a proper hornet bullet in both weights,I bought some 45 gn recently after being sick of getting ripped off with hornady bullets,and when I tried some of my handloads, i found they shot to exact same point of aim as 35 gn vmax@100 yds,really like them I must say,and I seem to get slightly better neck tension with them as apposed to vmax,which is great as I dont crimp after seating the bullet,oh and in my CZ they group at under half inch @ 100 yds

[shootlodge 143]

You will enjoy the hornet calibre, s/p heads are as good as any, The Hornady 'v' max tend to be tricky to re-load, & are a swine in the mag !! Personally i would use 40gr heads ..as said dead is dead !! zero 1" high at 100yds . I never had anything walk away from a hornet 22 between 50-150yds .

Have safe fun.

[mattydski 560]

Why are vmax tricky to reload in your experience?

I only ask as we reload hundreds of 35gr vmax hornet on an annual basis and have had no problems?