Help with 223 - 55 gr sp or 50 grn Hornady V-Max

[cpirtle]

Hey all,

I'm new to the .223 and this weekend picked up a little Remington 7615p, 5 P-Mag's and about 2,000 rounds of various Russian ball ammo for a steal.

I have a $100 gift card to Cabela's that I have not found a use for so I am thinking of picking up a small supply of better ammo to have on hand for varmint/predator control on the property as well as the potential use as a self defense round.

With that in mind there are 2 rounds in stock at Cabela's that I am looking at.. (price is basically a wash IMO)

Choice 1: Hornady 55grn Jacketed soft point
Choice 2: HSM reloads with 50grn Hornady V-Max bullets

I've already studied up on them some and figure #2 would be better for 4 legged stuff but not sure about which would excel in a self defense role. I'm leaning toward #1 though for a few reasons (not reloads, better penetration).

I'm also aware of some of the problems HSM seems to have had in the past but am not too worried about it.

What does everyone here think?

Please keep this to the scope of the rounds shown, I'd really like to use this gift card I have to keep the cost down. I will purchase a supply of better SD ammo once the prices drop a bit.

Thanks!

 

[desidog]

What type rifle; what twist? this makes all the difference.

If you have an extra couple bucks on the card i need some #11 BP primers, and my birthday is right around the corner....

 

[jester_s1]

The V-Max fragments when it hits, so it's a better varmint round and a better defense round. The soft point penetrates, so it'll be better on Coyotes, although it really won't matter. For anything bigger, the .223 is marginal even with the best bullets (Barnes TSX, IMO).

 

[cpirtle]

The rifle is a Remington 7615p - no idea what the twist is and it's not on Remington's site. I was thinking about calling them to find out.

Thanks Jester - I have bigger when bigger is needed so I am not worried there.

Yotes are likely candidates as I have a small pack living in my back woods.

 

[Wesson Smith]

I still get a kick out of it when I hear someone dub the .223 as "marginal".

 

[jpwilly]

I still get a kick out of it when I hear someone dub the .223 as "marginal".

Okay, how about...less than adequate!

 

[Wesson Smith]

Adequate for what? My perception here was that the targets in question were varmints. Not to be contentious, but a rifle chambered in .223 with a 1 in 7 or 9 turn shooting a 60gr. or better bullet (especially a HP) will take care of any sized varmint I can think of, with immediate and impressive results.