Has anyone used the 50 grain Vmax in a 221 Fireball?

[Bill K]

Just a little info. Only one grain lighter than your Sierra 40 grn, the 39 grain BK Sierra usually shoot way better than the 40 grainer, mostly depending on bore twist, for most people and it hit just as hard and I believe even better on varmints up to coyote size.
You might try some of them, and see for yourself.

[Bayou City Boy]

Originally Posted by T_the_Tinkerer

Not to mention internally, where the VMAX has a space underneath the ballistic tip before it can ram into it during impact. Other plastic tip bullets have the base of the tip in contact with the lead core.

That is why the VMAX is typically more explosive than the Sierra or Nosler comparable bullets.

-BCB

[20VarTarg]

Try the CFE BLK. That powder is really making me happy in the 20 VarTarg. I was all about using RL-7 but CFE is really shining right now. Good Luck!

[moorepower]

Originally Posted by 218bee

I pulled some of the 50 grain Accutips in the factory ammo to compare with some 50 grain Vmaxes. I don't think they are the same bullet, what say you?

I saw them being made on my tour in GI. Also bullets for the American Eagle 50 grain poly tip.

[Oso Polaris]

Originally Posted by 20VarTarg

Try the CFE BLK. That powder is really making me happy in the 20 VarTarg. I was all about using RL-7 but CFE is really shining right now. Good Luck!

What is it about CFE Black that you like for the 20VTG?

[MikeP]

I vote with the consensus: use a lighter bullet, and hopefully one more willing to disintegrate on that size varmint. The results you got from the factory 50s was disheartening.

I have several .221 Fireballs, but most of them have the XP100 10.75 inch barrels, and a couple are 10-inch Contenders. So I can't afford to use bullets with jackets too thick or too reluctant to open up, at least not on small varmints.

I like the VMax-type around 40 grains, give or take 5. Those work for me and mine.

[moorepower]

This does not directly apply, but kind of does. I have shot 50 SX bullets at 3000 out of a .222 and it has a lot of splat factor, but the shots are only out to 250yds with it. There are a couple of powders that get 3600 with the 40 Vmax and the .221 FB that look like they would work great.

[TinMan]

I got curious and dug out my chronograph data for some comparison, when I first got my M21 in 221FB back in late '98.

Factory Remington 50gr SP 2950 fps.

50gr Sierra Blitz, RL7 powder, 3000-3150 fps.

40gr NBT or Sierra 40gr HP, RL7 or AA2200 powder, 3200-3300 fps.

Hope this helps some.

[MikeP]

In my case, the 10-inch-barrels for my 221s, load-for-load, underperform the rifles by 500fps and 200 yards or more.

I need fragile bullets for sure.

[Bill K]

Originally Posted by MikeP

In my case, the 10-inch-barrels for my 221s, load-for-load, underperform the rifles by 500fps and 200 yards or more.

I need fragile bullets for sure.

Have you tried Hornady's NTX 24 grn ? It is accurate and very fragile on critters, in .224 cal.