Guys, I know this is an impossible question, and that I'll probably get as many opinions as I get answers. Still, is there a general preference for V-Max or Ballistic Tips in terms of accuracy (.224 and .243 cal)??? (V-Max has the advantage of being cheaper).

How do you find V-Max and BTs to compare to the Sierra HP Match bullets in terms of accuracy?? We are not talking terminal performance here, just ability to punch holes close together.

- mike

Nosler products have been more accurate in more guns for me than Hornady products. That, of course, leads to my predispostion toward the Noslers. I have had some excellent results in limited experience with the Hornady V-Max. I don't doubt that there are individual guns/loads in which the Hornady is more accurate than the corresponding Ballistic Tip, but I would also guess that in a larger sample of guns/load the Noslers would have the advantage.

One factor (and this is simply rank speculation on my part) may be that Nosler uses a radiused ogive while Hornady uses a secant, or tangent, ogive. The radiused ogive appears to be easier to make square with the axis of the bullet, and theoretically is more aerodynamic. This is picking at gnits, however, as I have no real evidence that there is a significant difference in performance related to the two shapes.

For some odd reason my 22-250's and 223's prefer the Ballistic tips and my .243 doesn't. Never got the V-Maxes to shoot all that well in my rifles, but my buddies' rifles all love the V-Maxes over the ballistic tips. I've even tried to Moly coat them to see if it would make a difference and it didn't work.
Only way to see what your rifle prefers is to try them.- Sheister

this is another one of those Redheads or Blonds deals. some barrels and load combos shoot the red tip better others like the blond. i like both, i also like both the Vmax and BT.
the red ones seam to be more explosive and much less forgiveing.
the 70gr 6mm BT is my #1 coyote bullet, the 55gr Vmax is #1 for tunnel pigs. 50gr BT seams to work real well in every 222, 223, 221 i'ver ever loaded for.

Both have been very accurate for me in .223 and 22-250. For predators, if you are going to use a plastic tipped bullet, I prefer the BT. They are slightly "beefier" than the V-Max.

Clear as mud.........

Good Hunting,

Bob

I use both, and can't say that for my purposes that either one stands out. I usually go with the V Max's because they are a Nebraska company and just a few dollars cheaper.

I have always shot the VMAX over the Nosler. Most of my shooting involves sage rats. As Bob in TX stated, the Nosler is beefier, but the VMAX comes apart violently. I would go for the B-Tip for a little more penetration, and the VMAX when penetration is not an issue. I need to add that the VMAX will bring down a coyote in short order with proper shot placement, and the sound of the impact is incredible.

So, as for as accuracy goes, I think it is up to the rifle but is usually quite exceptional in every rifle I have tried them out of.

Go with the V-MAX. I have used alot of both V-MAX and Nosler BT, and I have settle on the V-MAX. My favorite is the 60 grain V-MAX in my 22-243 Middlestead. I have taken a many of P-Dogs in excess of 440 yards with the 60 grain V-MAX. Really like them and have settled on them for all my varmint hunting. Safe relaoding and good luck. Russ

I use v maxs in my prairie dog guns
.221 FB 40 gr.
220-250 50 gr.
6mm 30-30 AI 58 gr.

I can 't imagine that the higher priced Nosler bullets would shoot any more accurate than those did. I just spent four days on the prairie and other than a wicked wind, the v-maxs put a big hurt on those pds. I just don't like the price structure that Nosler uses...doesn't make sense to me.

I've shot the v-maxes, the BT's and the Sierra Blitzkings out of my 22-250 over the past month, and they all shoot the same, mid .3's. I even shot a few v-maxes and blitzkings into the same group and they shot to the same point of impact. That said, the v-maxes sure make a 'dog go to pieces, even at the longer ranges beyond 400 yds. I've been shooting JLK 52 gr. low drag bullets a bit this week. So far they seem to want to shoot into the mid .2's at 100. I shot a 1.74" 3-shot at 481 yds last weekend. Haven't been able to try them on a PD yet.