Just returned from WY dogtowns, shot 2 1/2 days with a partner, and would have run out of ammo if we hadn't been rained out! That good. Killed about 800-900 dogs between us I figure. Probably fired near 1100 rounds. So high hit rates, thanks to much better loads. I had worked up (with huge help from Mykal!!) some 40 grain VMax loads, but had big concerns from what people have said, about how they'd fly at distance and in the wind. What do 'people' know? There's no difference at all. None. Other than reduced recoil. While it was too optimistic to expect to see the shot all the way, there is a noticeable difference in dropping down in bullet weight and going to faster powders. We hold velocities to 3500 fps in both .223 and .22-250's. They blow dogs up just fine. You do not have to drop in powder by handfuls and go to 4000 fps just because you can. You waste money and burn up guns that way and the dogs don't know the difference. But these loads were holding much better groups than I've ever had. I was making shots that I had no business taking!! At 300+ yards, probably more, but who can tell in a desert-like ground, and in winds up to 20 mph at times...maybe held off an inch if it was blowing directly across...otherwise, no difference. I don't understand it, I'm a math guy, but the ballistics in the field don't match what's on the charts. Wonderful time. Can't imagine why anyone would use anything other than 40 grain pills for doggin'. Even my .22-250 I can now see a good number of the hits. That's pretty amazing.

Sounds like you did good! How often did you have to clean your gun shooting that many rounds?

Just curious, what happens with that much dead meat on the ground? Lots of buzzard activity?

There are a number of factors that go into accurate shooting in the field. The rest you use, the light conditions, mirage ext. this is only a few of the things you may be experiencing on your hunt.

When it comes to the trajectory of the bullets not matching the mathematical charts that is not too suprising either. Especially if you didn't shoot at 300+ before your hunt to check the theory against actual range results.

your field results will even vary from your range results due to shooting slightly up or down hill, wind direction from front , back , crosswind, and other variables. This is what makes varmint hunting exciting.

Regards,
Gene

JR1: Yeehaw! Nice work. As you know, I am a big fan of the Hornady V-Max bullets. With that little red plastic tip, they just scream "ballistic coefficient." I had a gut feeling they were really great wind-buckers, as my testing out to 100 yards showed them to be very solid. Nice to hear that they still hold true (in 20 mile winds?) out to three hundred. Did you use the 40 grain in the .22-250 as well? As per my other thread, I'll be getting a Savage .22-250 in a month or so, and I was thinking of going a tad bigger with that, say the 52 grain V-Max. --Mykal

Flash, I cleaned each evening only, and only then because I've got the new one piece rods..my parnter doesn't clean at all, and he's using an AR! So we don't have to, but I enjoy it now.
Mykal, stick with the 40's. There's no need to use the bigger unless you're going after coyotes or something. Hmm. Well, watch the twist rates in the Savage. I don't know what they are. But assuming that they're 1 in 12" you'll be happier with the 40's. Yes, I'm even using them in the .22-250 and using H322, which isn't on any of the charts for that cartridge. Works like a charm. I'll test the Benchmark next, but real happy already.