.22WMR V-Max Ammo

[Deker 3,478]

First off this is NOT scientific and results achieved are in my rifle, with me shooting it in a rather unfortunately gusty side wind!

 

The V-Max .22WMR is meant to be fast and accurate and hold it's energy well as suggested by both CCI and Hornady. The CCI 30g V-Max has better published figures than the Hornady 30g V-Max, I have contacted CCI direct and they very promptly responded saying they did not know why theres was better as "they are the same product", suggesting it was simply a difference in the "computer model", must admit I thought they would have tested them properly!!

 

CCI is NOT available in the UK as I write this so tested ammo is Hornady!

 

Rifle is a CZ American with a cut 16" barrel and a Sako mod on the end.

 

Muzzle figures are actually about 1.5metres in front of the barrel so they will be slightly better, 100 yard figures are accurate!

 

Figures in brackets are manufacturers published figures.

 

Hornady 30g V-Max muzzle 2050ft sec (2200) 100yards 1337ft sec (1421)

CCI 30g Maxi Mag HP-V muzzle 2084ft sec (2200) 100yards 1341ft sec (1375)

CCI 40g Maxi Mag HP muzzle 1836ft sec (1875) 100yards 1291ft sec (1319)

 

100 yard group spread

Hornady 30g V-Max 1.6".....8 shot group

CCI 30g Maxi Mag HP-V 0.9".....5 shot group

CCI 40g Maxi Mag HP 1.25"....8 shot group

 

Like I said, the results are NOT scientific but are indicative, and it's what they did in my rifle with me shooting, which is obviously pretty useful for me, gusty and strongish side wind as well remember. It was bright but cold, damp and a bit uncomfortable this morning as well.

 

I was expecting great things from the 30G V-Max but it has not delivered, I find this very disappointing. The 30g CCI Maxi Mag HP-V performs and groups better than the V-Max and the 40g CCI Maxi Mag (what I usually use) holds its speed and energy much better than either.

 

The figures seem so bad in relation to manufacturers suggestions and boasts I have to wonder if I have a bad batch!!

 

The effect on quarry of V-MAX will be different to the others but on results achieved so far I have no plans to buy any more V-Max for the .22WMR. Disappointing in the extreme as the Hornady 17g V-Max performs very well in my .17HMR

 

Thanks to Mr Logic for his help this morning and the use of his chrono!

Edited November 7, 2009 by Deker

[harrygrey382 1]

well even though my tests were MUCH rougher - I did at least find no improvements in the 30gr Vmax Hornadys over Winchester 40gr super-x (JHP). In fact I did get slightly better groups with the xuper-x, but I thought it was too close to call.

 

Thanks for a far more quantative and scientific review Deker, and it supports what I was feeling. The super-x's are easier on the wallet too. Out of interest, how much are you paying for those cci 40gr? I'm paying £17/100 for super-x

[Deker 3,478]

well even though my tests were MUCH rougher - I did at least find no improvements in the 30gr Vmax Hornadys over Winchester 40gr super-x (JHP). In fact I did get slightly better groups with the xuper-x, but I thought it was too close to call.

 

Thanks for a far more quantative and scientific review Deker, and it supports what I was feeling. The super-x's are easier on the wallet too. Out of interest, how much are you paying for those cci 40gr? I'm paying £17/100 for super-x

 

See below!!

Edited November 8, 2009 by Deker

[Deker 3,478]

well even though my tests were MUCH rougher - I did at least find no improvements in the 30gr Vmax Hornadys over Winchester 40gr super-x (JHP). In fact I did get slightly better groups with the xuper-x, but I thought it was too close to call.

 

Thanks for a far more quantative and scientific review Deker, and it supports what I was feeling. The super-x's are easier on the wallet too. Out of interest, how much are you paying for those cci 40gr? I'm paying £17/100 for super-x

 

 

£20 - 100 for CCI 40g Maxi Mag HP, no Winchester available for miles round here!

[TOP PREDATOR 0]

odd my results are completely opposite. i found the 30 gr vmax made by hornady to be the top performer out of my marlin.

 

i did a ton of comparisons to others, unfortunately that was before i really got hooked on rimfires again, so alot of the precise data on each of the ammos wasn't saved by me, just the top three best group ammo through my rifle.

 

i tried all the winchester stuff, federal stuff, pmc stuff, cci stuff, and others. all differnt bullet wieghts and styles.

 

1. the hornady stuff by far surpassed all others in velocity, accuracy, consistancy, distance, etc. at least through my marlin, and truly lives up to hornady's reputation (wish they made 22lr). when wieghing the shells to put into lots and determine manufacturing consistancy, it also is #1. lacks the penetration on turkeys, acceptable for coyotes under 100 yards. excellent groups at 100, 200, and beyond. oddly the remingtons with the 33 gr vmax shot bad, but i dont think it was due to the pill, but the "high quality of ammo manufacturing that remington produces"

 

2. winchester supreme 34 grain hp (black box)just a bit short of the hornady on performance, excellent on small game, not so much penetration on turkeys, excellent groups up to about 150.

 

3. cci 40 gr. tmj (fmj) if i had (and did) make a choice for turkeys / coyotes at -125yards it would be these. not as accurate as i would like, but has the penetration factor. not as good as many others as a paper round, but has it's place on turkeys / coyotes.

 

i tried the cci gamepoints as they are designed to mushroom like a centerfire bullet, but shot pretty bad out of my marlin. the winc. dynapoints are 45 or 50 gr., thought that would do it, but they also fell short on accuraccy.

 

all the other brands and styles of bullets where ok, but either lacked decent 200 yard accuracy or ethical penetration at short long range on turkey / coyote.

 

the hornady and winc 34 gr. are a bit overkill on squirrels and rabbits, so try to make sure headshots are taken, otherwise they are torn up bad.

[harrygrey382 1]

odd my results are completely opposite. i found the 30 gr vmax made by hornady to be the top performer out of my marlin.

 

i did a ton of comparisons to others, unfortunately that was before i really got hooked on rimfires again, so alot of the precise data on each of the ammos wasn't saved by me, just the top three best group ammo through my rifle.

 

i tried all the winchester stuff, federal stuff, pmc stuff, cci stuff, and others. all differnt bullet wieghts and styles.

 

1. the hornady stuff by far surpassed all others in velocity, accuracy, consistancy, distance, etc. at least through my marlin, and truly lives up to hornady's reputation (wish they made 22lr). when wieghing the shells to put into lots and determine manufacturing consistancy, it also is #1. lacks the penetration on turkeys, acceptable for coyotes under 100 yards. excellent groups at 100, 200, and beyond. oddly the remingtons with the 33 gr vmax shot bad, but i dont think it was due to the pill, but the "high quality of ammo manufacturing that remington produces"

 

2. winchester supreme 34 grain hp (black box)just a bit short of the hornady on performance, excellent on small game, not so much penetration on turkeys, excellent groups up to about 150.

 

3. cci 40 gr. tmj (fmj) if i had (and did) make a choice for turkeys / coyotes at -125yards it would be these. not as accurate as i would like, but has the penetration factor. not as good as many others as a paper round, but has it's place on turkeys / coyotes.

 

i tried the cci gamepoints as they are designed to mushroom like a centerfire bullet, but shot pretty bad out of my marlin. the winc. dynapoints are 45 or 50 gr., thought that would do it, but they also fell short on accuraccy.

 

all the other brands and styles of bullets where ok, but either lacked decent 200 yard accuracy or ethical penetration at short long range on turkey / coyote.

 

the hornady and winc 34 gr. are a bit overkill on squirrels and rabbits, so try to make sure headshots are taken, otherwise they are torn up bad.

quite a report there preditor - did youcinclude the winchester 40gr super-x? I would have thought all WMR are kind of a bit on the harsh side for rabbits and squirrels and if you want to eat them you always need head shots.

Also - personally I'd never attempt 200 yards with one, but maybe that's my inexperience speaking and listening to others armchair shhot. When I get my VX-ii 4-12x40 on my 9422M I may see what happens at 200yds for the hell of it.

I'm wondering if your Marlin liked the Hornady and or all light bullets because of its Microgroove barrel?

[TOP PREDATOR 0]

i tried the winc. 40 gr hollowpoints, not as accurate as the 34's. i tried the fmj's, not as accurate as the cci tmj (fmj).

 

even though the hornady is super accurate and pretty flat, there are better applications for turkeys / coyotes for penetration.

 

actually i ranked the 34 gr winc. super x as second accurate through my marlin. it is quite destructive also, small game at short range should be head shots. although i have witnessed them taking a turkey at 75ish yards, i've been told by others (whom are good shots) that the turkey gets up and runs away, having wounding loss.

 

actually i don't know if the micro grooves are helping, but i do know that if i had to do it over i would have gotten a savage as my #2 pick, and a cz as my #1 pick.

Edited November 10, 2009 by TOP PREDATOR

[Deker 3,478]

Following one or two comments here I really am beginning to wonder if we have some bad ammo in the UK.

 

I have established that 16,000 Hornady .22 V-Max WMR have been imported into the UK. This is almost certainly part of a single production run!

 

The results I achieved with this ammo were disapointing to say the least, whereas the Hornady .17HMR 17g V-Max are excellent in my HMR.

 

Makes you think eh!!!

[Mr_Logic 5]

But here's a thing, only improvement is going to be higher and more consistent velocity, and the drop-off is still similar to the 30gr HP, so IMHO the 40gr is still the best. I did read somewhere of a magazine's test of this stuff, they found the same conclusion.

[Deker 3,478]

i tried the winc. 40 gr hollowpoints, not as accurate as the 34's. i tried the fmj's, not as accurate as the cci tmj (fmj).

 

even though the hornady is super accurate and pretty flat, there are better applications for turkeys / coyotes for penetration.

 

actually i ranked the 34 gr winc. super x as second accurate through my marlin. it is quite destructive also, small game at short range should be head shots. although i have witnessed them taking a turkey at 75ish yards, i've been told by others (whom are good shots) that the turkey gets up and runs away, having wounding loss.

 

actually i don't know if the micro grooves are helping, but i do know that if i had to do it over i would have gotten a savage as my #2 pick, and a cz as my #1 pick.

 

Off topic a bit, but how is the .22WMR holding up Stateside, I hear it is still pretty popular but your views would be appreciated.

 

The WMR is having a hard time in the UK but is beginning to came back slightly into favour.

 

I run a .22lr, .17HMR and .22WMR....as well as the centrefires, and rate the WMR on a number of levels!!

 

Cheers