Hornady 53 gr. Vmax

[M_Strohmeyer]

I just tried the 53 Vmax in my new (old) Sako Vixen in 223. Here's some loads with Varget.

View attachment 518

Seems like when that barrel warms up it kicks out a tiny bit.

 

[TheCZKid]

I haven't figured this rifle out yet, haven't shot it enough to get a feel for the barrel.

 

[M_Strohmeyer]

I haven't figured this rifle out yet, haven't shot it enough to get a feel for the barrel.

My 223 didn't group well with varget. CFE 223 worked awesome. All 3 shot groups touching. This was with a 60gn V-max with 1:9 twist. 3000fps.

 

[TheCZKid]

Mine does well with 40 BT bullets with IMR 4198. My barrel is 12 twist, so I'm trying 40 to 53 grain loads first, and powders I have in volume, so I don't find a load I only have a half pound of powder left, and have to buy more. Varget and 8208 seem like possible powders, but I've got a few more in enough volume to try after those.

 

[Hayfmr]

25.1 gr IMR8208 with the 53Vmax. 8 twist 20" barrel

 

[TheCZKid]

That's a respectable group.

 

[Hayfmr]

I loaded a bunch of those for prarie dogs. Last year I used CFE223 but did not group this well

 

[Bullseye69]

I loaded a bunch of those for prarie dogs. Last year I used CFE223 but did not group this well

I'm leary of cfe223. Low end and medium loads are fine but when getting to the max loads fur CFE223 my cousin and I have had issues with it in the heat out west.
Loaded some 22-250 and work excellent here with cool temps but in SD we had a couple of swollen primer pockets ,very bad primer pockets. We stopped using them out there.
Shot 50 rounds, when we got back at home, and no issues .
Just a FYI