55Gr. 223 Hornady VMAX load info.

[northark147]

Ive requested a Hornady manual as a present, but in the mean time, I'll have to rely on THR members to fill me in.. I purchased some 22 caliber 55Gr. Hornady Vmax today and my Lyman Manual and IMR's website only list loads for the 60 Gr. The 3 rifle powders I have available are IMR 4895, Hogdgon Benchmark, and Alliant Reloader 7. Much appreciated if anyone has load info for components on hand.

 

[NCsmitty]

At www.hodgdon.com, you'll find loads for the 55gr Speer SP, which will be fine for the 55gr V-Max. As a rule, bullet weight is the key, rather than bullet brand. If you do not have an exact bullet weight listed, always use the data for next heavier bullet. Always use a starting load, and work up.
Either the IMR4895 or Benchmark can do the job, as you work up loads with the 55gr V-Max.



NCsmitty

 

[northark147]

Thanks Smitty, thats exactly what I was going to do if noone had any better ideas.

 

[kelbro]

You will like the Benchmark with that bullet. Not necessarily at max but near the upper range.

 

[JOHN_T]

i load 25.5 gr of imr 4895 with nosler 55 gr...

 

[jem375]

I think you should invest in TAC and H335 powders for the 223.. 25 grs of H335 is a common load for the 55 gr. bullets... I use 24 grs. of TAC for the 60 gr. V-max bullets for my coyote load... I have some IMR 4895 but use that for my Garand..

 

[northark147]

I mainly load for 308 thus the available powders, I ended up using 25.4 grs of IMR4895. I know I like the Benchmark for my 308, maybe here in a month or two when I build me a AR15, I'll have to try some in 223 and buy some different powders too.

 

[Bula]

I worked up a load with AA2230. 24.8g is what worked the best for me. Nice load, clean and accurate (for my 16" 1/9 HBAR anyways)

 

[nastynatesfish]

My favorite powder for 223 is still reloader 10x. The 7 is faster so im not sure. I use 24.5gr of 10x for50 & 55 gr vmax and nosler

 

[ssyoumans]

Ive requested a Hornady manual as a present, but in the mean time, I'll have to rely on THR members to fill me out. The 3 rifle powders I have available are IMR 4895, Hogdgon Benchmark, and Alliant Reloader 7. Much appreciated if anyone has load info for components on hand.

From the current Hornady Manual:
55gr V-max @ 2.250"
Benchmark 21.6 - 24.5gr. 2800-3100 fps
IMR 4895 22.7-25.1gr. 2800-3100 fps
No data for Reloader 7.

I like W748, AA2230, TAC, and BLC-2 in that order. These powders are capable of 100-200fps faster than the powders you selected if that is important, and if you can still get excellent accuracy. My fav is 26.0gr W748 (max 26.4)

 

[soloban]

I'll second that ssyoumans.

- Go with the 4895 since you have it on hand.

- I've had really good results with any good 55 Grain Boattail bullet over 26g W748.

 

[CHALK22]

I load the V-ma with H322 and X-terminator, so no load data from me, but you will love that bullet!