does anyone have a load under 3000 fps for a 35 grain vmax out of a 222 rem, i want the load for fox hunting, will slower speed make the bullet open up slower and exit tearing up the hides or will a faster load more likely tear them up? I need to use a v max because of ricochets.
thanks

normally, faster speed will produce greater damage. That said the faster speed will also reduce richochets as well!

You're on the right track with the 35 grain load and slowed to (possibly) 2,500'/sec.

the load i am using now is 23.5 grains of H322 at 3316 fps,its the starting load in the 2007 hodgdon manual,somtimes it exits and really tears them up, I have never reduced loads, i thought i have heard it can be dangerous? any truth to that?

You could try VV N110.
I load the max charge (16.2gr)for a 40gr bullet with the 35gr Vmax. It is an excellent load which shoots 0.5 - 0.6" at 100yd.

Regards...

...Titan

Try a load with 2400 powder.. it is pretty accurate... I'd upgrade to a 40 grainer tho myself.. that 35 V Max, looses velocity pretty fast.. it's aerodynamics aren't worth shineola...

In a .223 shoot some .224" 35 gr Vmax bullets that only weight 33 grains, but I got a real deal on them.

I know that with a 26" barrel and 15 gr of Blue Dot, I get 3500 fps, .5 moa, and it blow up ground squirrels and rockchucks out to 150 yards.

Quickload predicts 3510 fps for that situation.

For 3000 fps and 35 gr, in a 24" .222, Quickload thinks that would be 11.9 grains of Blue Dot.

A 40gr Vmax at max velocity will barely make it to the heart of a fox. Must be the safest bullet known to man.

My tests with 30gr berger MEFs at 2,100fps showed them to act as near FMJs different bullet but reducing velocity is definately NOT the way to reduce ricochets.

I found VVN120 to give 3,600fps with approx 21gr this is slightly over book max.

I agree with 1894.

40gr V-max or BT's well stoked. Instanteous kills out to 200m and rarely exit, particularly if you try and take a shoulder out. Buy a box or two of Winchester Supreme 40gr Ballistic Silver tips and try them out.

I have found with 50gr V-max's that I get good kills with exit wounds, but little hide damage - like I care about that!

quote:

Originally posted by seafire/B17G:
Try a load with 2400 powder.. it is pretty accurate... I'd upgrade to a 40 grainer tho myself.. that 35 V Max, looses velocity pretty fast.. it's aerodynamics aren't worth shineola...

Hello Seafire...

Have you any charge recommendations for 2400?

Regards..

...Titan