Hornady or Nosler .223

[JO JO]

Hello ,
can anybody tell me the difference with Hornady V max and Nosler Ballistic tip
is, loading for my AR these will be 55gr or 60 gr with TAC powder.
is there a big difference in these or are they the same
Thanks all

 

[JimKirk]

The 50 & 55 gr Vmax are working great for me out of my 16" AR ... I have not shot any BT because I have not been able to find them ... I use TAC also ... again when I can get some .... along with RL10X...

 

[ArchAngelCD]

One of my AR-15's is extremely accurate with the 53gr V-Max while another likes a 55gr Sierra Varminter instead. My bolt action .223 rifle likes a Sierra 55gr GameKing bullet instead of the other two bullets I mentioned.

IMO both the Ballistic Tip and V-Max bullets are high quality products. If it were me I would try both and see which one shoots most accurate in that rifle and go with the one that's best.

 

[MR__X]

Out of my Ruger AR (1:9 twist) Nosler 55gr Ballistic was more accurate with less charge (23.5gr) of Varget compared to Hornady 55gr V-Max (24.5gr). I'm waiting on weather to test some loads with Nosler 60gr Ballistics and IMR 4895 (24.5gr).

 

[spitballer]

The Hornady has more of a secant ogive, that is, there's more of an angle where the curve of the nose meets the bearing surface. Not sure why they choose to make bullets this way but they're backed by science.

 

[jstein650]

A side note - In my bolt gun, the Hornady's seem to have a slight edge in accuracy - I have noticed that the thicker base of the Nosler's will often keep on going through tougher targets after the bullet explodes, whereas the Hornady's just blow up entirely. Interesting, but I doubt any varmint would notice...

 

[MR__X]

Got to shoot those 60gr with IMR 4895. They shot awesome. Definitely my accuracy bullet from now on. Shot some of my Hornady 55gr FMJs as a control and the groups with the Nosler 60gr were tighter. 3 shot groups were about dime size at 100 yards. Wish I had my phone. Did see very minor swipe marks on some of the cases though. Going to reload them with some Tac next time.

 

[rcmodel]

I use them interchangeably in three rifles with the same powder charge & OAL.
Depending on cost & availability is what I buy.

I have seen no measurable difference in group size.

And the coyotes don't seem to notice any difference either.
That they ever mention anyway.

rc

 

[JO JO]

Thanks for all the info, I picked up a box of 55gr vmax and a box of 55 gr nosler
will give them both a try and let the rifle decide. Finding more TAC another challenge.
So if I understand the vmax is a thinner jacket and nosler thicker towards the base
Thanks all

 

[gamestalker]

I really like the Nos BT's and Varget. But your rifle may like something else. Like said, give them both a try and maybe a couple others too. This is the fun part of reloading I think, we get to shoot more!!

GS