87 grain VMAX ideal velocity .243

[wyattgtx]

Wondering what the ideal speed for the 87 grain VMAX bullets are? I am shooting them out of a 243. Anywhere from 2600-3100 fps my groups are under .5” just wondering what speed I should stick with? I have heard a lot of guys loading them too fast and causing them to splash on impact instead of penetrate when pred hunting? Anybody have some hands on experience?

 

[Ghogs Nightmare]

Splash on fur? What distances are you shooting, I'd vote for whatever grouped the best but velocity will get you flatter over distance.

 

[wyattgtx]

Splash on fur? What distances are you shooting, I'd vote for whatever grouped the best but velocity will get you flatter over distance.

Anywhere from close range out to 600 maybe a little more if I’m feeling brave. Yeah splashing on fur, instead of penetrating just splashing and leaving a giant gaping wound on them.

 

[Potsy]

Assuming a 22” barrel and 1/2” groups, I’d 3100 and never look back.
If he’s that close, make it splash on his head.

 

[DIBBS]

I shot several last winter with an 87 vmax at 300-550 yards. 3400 and change MV out of a 6 Creedmoor<RL17>.

They did not splash, and a couple of the coyotes were dead on their feet instantly. I will be spending some time on overwatch of a dead bull on a friends property with this load, ( or an 85 grain ballistic tip, or a 80.5 berger, or a 75 grain amax/eld, 105 grain Amax. ) So many options....

In short, I seriously doubt that you will have any problematic issues at 3100 fps. The coyote will.

 

[Hecouldgoalltheway]

Splashing on fur is a myth. It can't happen.

Think about how ridiculous that concept is:

A pointed metal object impacting at 2,000+fps and it blows up on fur?

It's the crap people say when they miss or hit one bad. If I'm wrong, someone prove it. Millions of animals shot on video every year, show me a bullet splashing..

 

[wyattgtx]

Splashing on fur is a myth. It can't happen.

Think about how ridiculous that concept is:

A pointed metal object impacting at 2,000+fps and it blows up on fur?

It's the crap people say when they miss or hit one bad. If I'm wrong, someone prove it. Millions of animals shot on video every year, show me a bullet splashing..

I also have never had it happen but have not used the VMAX a lot but have used plenty of polymer tip bullets with no issues. I have just read a lot of people talking about it with the VMAX specifically.

 

[wyattgtx]

I shot several last winter with an 87 vmax at 300-550 yards. 3400 and change MV out of a 6 Creedmoor<RL17>.

They did not splash, and a couple of the coyotes were dead on their feet instantly. I will be spending some time on overwatch of a dead bull on a friends property with this load, ( or an 85 grain ballistic tip, or a 80.5 berger, or a 75 grain amax/eld, 105 grain Amax. ) So many options....

In short, I seriously doubt that you will have any problematic issues at 3100 fps. The coyote will.

I had been wanting to try the 105 Berger hunters

 

[wyattgtx]

Assuming a 22” barrel and 1/2” groups, I’d 3100 and never look back.
If he’s that close, make it splash on his head.

Running a 20 inch barrel suppressed

 

[Hecouldgoalltheway]

I also have never had it happen but have not used the VMAX a lot but have used plenty of polymer tip bullets with no issues. I have just read a lot of people talking about it with the VMAX specifically.

Remember, 61 million people voted for Kamala. Half of the people you meet have less than average intelligence, but they are over represented on the internet. Ive been using v-max bullets to shoot coyotes for decades. They are excellent. I have killed plenty with the 87gr out of both 6cm and 6arc. They kill them dead. As far as velocity: get as much speed as you can get to group well. Every rifle is different..

 

[wyattgtx]

Remember, 61 million people voted for Kamala. Half of the people you meet have less than average intelligence, but they are over represented on the internet. Ive been using v-max bullets to shoot coyotes for decades. They are excellent. I have killed plenty with the 87gr out of both 6cm and 6arc. They kill them dead. As far as velocity: get as much speed as you can get to group well. Every rifle is different..

Thanks, I am seeing no pressure signs or groups opening at 3100 so I will keep going.

 

[jakelly]

Splashing on fur is a myth. It can't happen.

Think about how ridiculous that concept is:

A pointed metal object impacting at 2,000+fps and it blows up on fur?

It's the crap people say when they miss or hit one bad. If I'm wrong, someone prove it. Millions of animals shot on video every year, show me a bullet splashing..

You’ll believe it when you see it. I didn’t either. I failed to consider just how fast the bullet was spinning and what kind of forces were at play.

 

[Hecouldgoalltheway]

You’ll believe it when you see it. I didn’t either. I failed to consider just how fast the bullet was spinning and what kind of forces were at play.

Ive been asking for any kind of proof possible for years. Show me a coyote with its skin blown apart and no penetration? Surely someone had a "splash", and then killed it with a followup. I have never seen any evidence of it of any kind, ever..

 

[Potsy]

Another factor;
Unless I missed it, the OP never stated twist.
Being a .243, it’s likely 1:9” or slower, making any “splash” even less likely.

 

[Hecouldgoalltheway]

Another factor;
Unless I missed it, the OP never stated twist.
Being a .243, it’s likely 1:9” or slower, making any “splash” even less likely.

Okay, hold on, now you're describing something different..

I've definitely had fast bullets explode in the air. I made a whole thread about the time I loaded 108gr eld-m's in my 6cm and went to a prs match where the temps increased, and by the third stage I was airbursting 8 of 10 rounds, generally by 70y. They looked like the powder golf ball pranks from the 80's. If that's what people are describing as "splashing", then that's not what's happening. What was interesting about it when it happened to me was that even when one ruptured in flight, some part of the bullet would still make it 300y or even 400y and register a hit on steel. I could absolutely see why people think they are splashing on animals, but that isn't what's actually happening. You probably pull off a perfect shot, the animal reacts because it gets slapped by some small chunk of whatever is remaining from the rupture, and it yelps and runs off unharmed. I could easily see this as the source of the splash myth.

 

[Potsy]

I should’ve been more clear. My thinking was at lower RPM’s, there’d be less structural stress (and resultant “splash) on the bullet at impact (on fur).
Might not even be a thing, but it made sense to me.

 

[JaoeyP]

Run em as hard as you can. I also think splash is largely a term used for "I didn't hit it as well as I thought I did and want to blame my bullet rather than accept responsibility for my poor performance." Not saying it's impossible, just that I don't believe it's a thing.

Also is 3100 where you're seeing pressure in a 243? I am running them about 2950-3000 in a 24" 6ARC gasser.

 

[jakelly]

Ive been asking for any kind of proof possible for years. Show me a coyote with its skin blown apart and no penetration? Surely someone had a "splash", and then killed it with a followup. I have never seen any evidence of it of any kind, ever..

I’ve definitely seen it with my eyes. First time was in HS, a buddy’s dad shot a buck running towards them with a 280. Impact was above the brisket about 2” off center on the carcasses left side. Softball sized hole and about 1 1/2” of penetration.

When you do finally see it, in person, you will be amazed at the wound depth. It can be really shallow.

 

[db2000]

Run em as hard as you can. I also think splash is largely a term used for "I didn't hit it as well as I thought I did and want to blame my bullet rather than accept responsibility for my poor performance." Not saying it's impossible, just that I don't believe it's a thing.

Also is 3100 where you're seeing pressure in a 243? I am running them about 2950-3000 in a 24" 6ARC gasser.

I’m getting 2930 with only mild pressure out of 18 gasser and 31.5 LVR.

 

[mheimer_45]

I think with a .243 I’d run them slower if it still grouped well. I hate waiting on gunsmiths to turn me a new barrel so why hurry up and burn that .243 up.