.223 for bear, mountain goat, deer, elk, and moose.

[Formidilosus]

@Formidilosus is there any definitive difference in A-max vs V-max? Different jacket structure? Different lead composition? In everything I've read so far, it's very inconclusive on what difference, if any, there is.

Part of me believes that Hornady would put the time and effort to differentiate various bullets, as that's entirely what a bullet manufacturer does. But the other part of me sees the efficiency of using the same components and manufacturing processes and just labeling them different, and relying on Marketing to sell the difference.

Considering that a 75gr AMAX can not be loaded to 2.26” coal- yes, there is a difference.

 

[PsRpOiGrRiAtM]

Considering that a 75gr AMAX can not be loaded to 2.26” coal- yes, there is a difference.

So from your understanding, is it just a profile difference, or materially different in composition?

 

[Taudisio]

So from your understanding, is it just a profile difference, or materially different in composition?

I don’t have an amax, but far left is the eldm and next to it is a vmax. You can make your own conclusions.

Edited to fix my error, that was an eld-x before. I took another photo of the eldm vs the vmax.

 

[Luvda208]

I don’t have an amax, but far left is the eldm and next to it is a vmax. You can make your own conclusions.

I have seen the 75 black sabre next to a 77 tmk and they look like identical jacket thicknesses, was not sure how they compared to the eldm.

 

[Taudisio]

I have seen the 75 black sabre next to a 77 tmk and they look like identical jacket thicknesses, was not sure how they compared to the eldm.

I don’t have any TMK’s I want to cut at the moment. I have a 75gr sabre cut and it is identical to the vmax except with a cannelure.

 

[NMJM]

Have any of you noticed a difference in performance with the tipped vs hollow point Sierra Match King's?

 

[Dave0317]

Have any of you noticed a difference in performance with the tipped vs hollow point Sierra Match King's?

Search for “match bullets” on rokslide. Lots of data points to read up on.

In summary though, the tipped bullets expand very reliably and consistently. Hollow point Match bullets sometimes perform well, and sometimes the tip gets closed or just doesn’t open and it just pencils through.

If you have a choice, use tipped on animals.

 

[ramblinman]

Have any of you noticed a difference in performance with the tipped vs hollow point Sierra Match King's?

Whatever it is, tmk always upset well. Maybe once below 1900fps I might have had a pencil through..

Whereas stories like Avery’s 230gr smk bull is pretty standard.

The meplat on a tmk is a lot larger then an smk

Pretty ez to file off tip of a 75gr eld a bit and run mags that allow a bit more coal in stanag confines. Or just go 73. Expect not a ton of penetration on eld-m 75gr at velocity above 2700. Deer still die tho

 

[LCV]

Have any of you noticed a difference in performance with the tipped vs hollow point Sierra Match King's?

This is a good thread. You should consider reading it

 

[Matt5266]

New guy with the zinger

 

[sierracharlie338]

Have any of you noticed a difference in performance with the tipped vs hollow point Sierra Match King's?

yes very different and don’t perform the same. TMK works much better.

 

[hunterjmj]

I've been following this thread for some time and I really wanted to go Model seven or model 700 sa but just can't turn anything up. Finally handled a tikka and I really like them although I didn't want to. Anyhow, I'm collecting components and will have a rifle soon. Have Norma brass and 400 more 77tmks on the way.
Still have dies, shell holders, bullet comparators to get but I'm on my way.

 

[WIDrake]

So from your understanding, is it just a profile difference, or materially different in composition?

My understanding, while very limited, is that the vmax is a softer bullet. Meaning the copper and the lead should both be a bit softer than the components in the eld. Again, very limited understanding, but the vmax is designed to upset faster and not penetrate as deep as other bullets to try and only make one hole in a pelt.

Just my 2 pesos

 

[WIDrake]

I've been following this thread for some time and I really wanted to go Model seven or model 700 sa but just can't turn anything up. Finally handled a tikka and I really like them although I didn't want to. Anyhow, I'm collecting components and will have a rifle soon. Have Norma brass and 400 more 77tmks on the way.
Still have dies, shell holders, bullet comparators to get but I'm on my way.

Get the Tikka, you'll love it.

 

[hunterjmj]

Get the Tikka, you'll love it.

I'm getting one just deciding which one. Cant decide between the t3x lite or the t3x superlite. I want to go light but not to light. I'll probably put a simple 3-9 scope on it with talky rings to keep weight around 7 lbs

 

[WIDrake]

I'm getting one just deciding which one. Cant decide between the t3x lite or the t3x superlite. I want to go light but not to light. I'll probably put a simple 3-9 scope on it with talky rings to keep weight around 7 lbs

Superlite, being 223 recoil only matters for spotting shots. Get a can on the end with a Superlite and then have the best of both worlds

 

[hunterjmj]

How many firings are you guys getting from your 223 brass? Have 100 pcs of Norma brass on the way and wondering if I should buy another 100 or more.
Im at 5 firings on 300wm norma brass now so I'd think I could achieve that with 223 Norma.

 

[Thegman]

How many firings are you guys getting from your 223 brass? Have 100 pcs of Norma brass on the way and wondering if I should buy another 100 or more.
Im at 5 firings on 300wm norma brass now so I'd think I could achieve that with 223 Norma.

Depending on your load's pressure, 5 loadings would be a reasonable estimate. My 223 cases usually die from cracked necks rather than loose primer pockets, etc. Maybe would last longer if I annealed, but I generally don't. I don't think 223 based cases last as long as 308, 30-06 and others. My 308 cases seem to be immortal...

 

[Castle Rock]

I have way over 30 on my lapua 223 and still fine, 10-12 on hornady CM and necks are starting to split

 

[BradArnett]

I have several lots of RP and lapua that have been through multiple 223ai barrels over the years that are at 25+ firings. I do anneal them every now and then.