Fiocchi Extrema, .223 Remington, V-Max, 40 Grain
Ammo Reports Team
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Primary Use | Varmint hunting, precision small-game shooting |
| Bullet Type | Hornady V-Max (polymer-tipped, lead-core, boat-tail) |
| Bullet Weight | 40 grain |
| Case Material | Brass |
| Primer Type | Boxer (centerfire) |
| Packaging | 50 rounds per box |
| Typical Price | $37.04/box · $0.74/round |
| Closest Competitors | Hornady Varmint Express .223 Rem 40 gr V-Max; Federal Premium .223 Rem 40 gr Nosler Ballistic Tip; Winchester Varmint X .223 Rem 40 gr Polymer Tip |
Official Specs
| Spec | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Muzzle Velocity (fps) | — | Not published by manufacturer |
| Muzzle Energy (ft-lbs) | — | Not published by manufacturer |
| Bullet Weight | 40 gr | Manufacturer |
| Bullet Type | Hornady V-Max, polymer-tipped | Manufacturer |
| BC G1 | — | Not published by manufacturer |
| BC G7 | — | Not published by manufacturer |
| Manufacturer SKU | 223VMA | Manufacturer (commonly listed) |
| UPC | — | Not confirmed |
| Reloadable | Yes | Brass case, Boxer primer |
Note: Fiocchi does not publish muzzle velocity, muzzle energy, or ballistic coefficient data for this specific load on their official product pages. The ballistics table below uses a commonly referenced estimate of 3,650 fps for a 40 gr V-Max from a 24-inch test barrel, consistent with industry-standard data for this bullet weight and caliber. All derived values are clearly labeled as calculated. Community-submitted chronograph data will replace estimates when available.
Ballistics Table
Calculated estimate. Real-world results vary by barrel length, temperature, altitude, and lot. Community submissions will provide measured muzzle velocity for comparison.
Inputs: ~3,650 fps muzzle velocity (estimated, 24″ barrel), 40 gr V-Max, G1 BC ≈ 0.200 (Hornady published value for this bullet), 1.5″ sight height, 100 yd zero, standard sea-level conditions.
| Yards | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lbs) | Trajectory (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | ~3,650 | ~1,183 | -1.5 |
| 100 | ~3,180 | ~898 | 0.0 ← zero |
| 200 | ~2,752 | ~672 | -3.9 |
| 300 | ~2,364 | ~496 | -15.2 |
| 400 | ~2,013 | ~360 | -36.8 |
| 500 | ~1,702 | ~257 | -73.6 |
Key takeaway: The 40 grain V-Max is a lightweight, high-velocity varmint bullet that launches flat and fast but sheds velocity and energy more rapidly than heavier .223 projectiles due to its lower sectional density. Inside 250 yards — the practical range for most varmint hunting scenarios — trajectory deviation remains modest and manageable. Beyond 300 yards, wind drift and drop become significant factors, and the reduced energy at range limits reliable terminal performance on target. This load is optimized for close- to mid-range precision work rather than extended long-range engagements.
The Hornady V-Max Bullet
The Hornady V-Max is a purpose-designed varmint projectile, not a general-purpose hunting or defensive bullet. Its defining feature is a stiff polymer tip seated into a lead core with a gilding metal jacket. On impact, the tip is driven rearward into the core, initiating rapid, violent expansion even at reduced velocities — a meaningful advantage when shooting at distance where terminal velocity has dropped. The boat-tail base improves in-flight stability and aids consistency at the muzzle. Fiocchi sources the V-Max bullet directly from Hornady and loads it under the Extrema product line, which represents the company’s premium factory offering using name-brand projectiles. The result is a load that delivers the proven terminal behavior of the V-Max while carrying Fiocchi’s brass and primer combination. Shooters familiar with Hornady’s own Varmint Express line will recognize identical bullet performance; the differentiation lies in case quality, primer selection, and per-round pricing.
Best Uses
Good fit:
- Prairie dog, ground squirrel, and woodchuck hunting at ranges inside 250 yards
- Coyote control where rapid fragmentation and minimal pelt damage are acceptable
- High-volume varmint sessions where per-round cost relative to performance matters
- Bolt-action and semi-automatic platforms chambered in .223 Remington with standard 1:9″ or faster twist rates
- Accuracy testing and load development comparison against handloads using the same bullet
Not the right tool for:
- Deer, hog, or any medium-to-large game — the 40 gr V-Max is not designed for deep penetration on heavy animals and is illegal for deer in many states
- Long-range precision work beyond 300 yards where wind sensitivity of a low-BC, lightweight bullet becomes a liability
- Barrels with slow twist rates (1:12″ or slower) that may not stabilize a 40 gr projectile consistently
- Self-defense or home-defense applications — terminal performance is optimized for varmints, not barrier-penetration scenarios
- Jurisdictions with lead-core bullet restrictions on public land or in condor habitat zones
Reliability Notes
No structured submissions yet.
Based on manufacturer claims and open-source reporting: Fiocchi’s Extrema line is positioned as a premium factory load and is generally noted for consistent primer seating and brass quality in open-source forums. The use of Hornady V-Max projectiles — a component with a well-established reputation in the varmint hunting community — provides a known baseline for terminal performance. No lot-specific complaints or failure patterns for this load have been identified in publicly available sources at the time of publication. All notes here reflect manufacturer claims or open-source user commentary, not structured data collected by this database.
Competitors
| Load | Weight | Bullet | BC G1 | Adv. Velocity | Price/box | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hornady Varmint Express .223 Rem 40 gr V-Max | 40 gr | Hornady V-Max | 0.200 | ~3,800 fps | ~$28–$34 | Identical bullet; budget alternative; higher published velocity |
| Federal Premium .223 Rem 40 gr Nosler Ballistic Tip | 40 gr | Nosler Ballistic Tip | ~0.221 | ~3,700 fps | ~$32–$38 | Slightly higher BC; premium alternative |
| Winchester Varmint X .223 Rem 40 gr Polymer Tip | 40 gr | Winchester Polymer Tip | ~0.196 | ~3,770 fps | ~$26–$32 | Budget alternative; comparable construction |
| Remington Premier AccuTip-V .223 Rem 50 gr | 50 gr | AccuTip-V | ~0.255 | ~3,425 fps | ~$30–$36 | Heavier; better BC and wind resistance; less flat shooting |
| Black Hills .223 Rem 52 gr V-Max | 52 gr | Hornady V-Max | ~0.238 | ~3,300 fps | ~$38–$46 | Premium alternative; heavier V-Max; better long-range performance |
| Nosler Varmageddon .223 Rem 40 gr FB Tipped | 40 gr | Nosler Varmageddon Tipped | ~0.196 | ~3,800 fps | ~$34–$40 | Same weight class; flat-base design; comparable varmint application |
Price Reality
- Typical retail range: $34–$42 per 50-round box depending on retailer and market conditions; case pricing (typically 500 or 1,000 rounds) reduces per-round cost when available
- Per-round cost: approximately $0.68–$0.84 at typical retail; $0.74/round at the reference price of $37.04
- Versus Hornady Varmint Express 40 gr V-Max: Hornady’s own load using the identical bullet typically retails $4–$8 cheaper per box, making it the primary price-pressure competitor
- Versus Federal Premium 40 gr Nosler Ballistic Tip: comparable pricing bracket; Federal offers a marginally higher BC bullet at similar cost
- Versus Winchester Varmint X 40 gr: Winchester’s offering typically runs $5–$10 less per box, representing the clearest budget alternative in the same weight class
- Fair price benchmark: At or below $38/box this load represents reasonable value for a premium-branded factory load using a name-brand projectile; above $42/box, Hornady Varmint Express with the identical bullet becomes the more logical purchase unless availability dictates otherwise
Prices change. Check the Where to Buy block for current listings.
Where to Buy
Fiocchi Extrema, .223 Remington, V-Max, 40 Grain, 50 Rounds
Affiliate links. These do not influence ratings, data, or any editorial content on this page.
FAQ
Why does Fiocchi use Hornady V-Max bullets instead of a proprietary projectile?
Fiocchi’s Extrema line is built around the strategy of pairing the company’s own brass and primers with established, name-brand projectiles from other manufacturers. The Hornady V-Max is one of the most widely validated varmint bullets in production, with a documented reputation for consistent expansion and accuracy. By sourcing the V-Max directly from Hornady, Fiocchi delivers predictable terminal performance without requiring buyers to trust an unfamiliar bullet design. This approach is common among mid-tier premium ammunition manufacturers and does not represent a shortcut — the loaded cartridge still depends on Fiocchi’s quality control for consistency.
How does this load compare to Hornady’s own Varmint Express in the same bullet and weight?
Both loads use the identical 40 grain Hornady V-Max projectile, so terminal performance on target should be functionally equivalent. The primary differences lie in muzzle velocity — Hornady publishes a higher advertised velocity for their Varmint Express load — and price, where Hornady’s own product typically retails lower. Shooters who chronograph both loads from the same barrel may find velocity differences of 50–150 fps, which at varmint hunting ranges has minimal practical impact. If price is the deciding factor, Hornady Varmint Express is generally the more cost-effective choice; if Fiocchi brass quality or primer consistency matters to a particular shooter’s workflow, the Fiocchi load may be preferred.
Is the 40 grain V-Max appropriate for coyote hunting?
The 40 grain V-Max is a viable coyote load at moderate ranges, typically inside 150–200 yards, where retained velocity supports reliable expansion. The bullet’s rapid fragmentation design means it transfers energy quickly and can anchor coyotes effectively when shots are placed in the chest cavity. However, the low sectional density of a 40 grain .224 bullet limits penetration on quartering or angled shots, and some hunters prefer heavier .223 loads — 55 to 62 grain — for more consistent performance on coyote-sized animals across a wider range of shot angles. Pelt damage from the V-Max’s explosive expansion is also a consideration for callers who intend to sell or preserve hides.
Will this ammunition stabilize properly in a 1:9″ twist barrel?
A 1:9″ twist rate is generally considered the minimum recommended twist for stable flight of a 40 grain .224 projectile, and most factory barrels in this twist will stabilize the bullet adequately. Faster twist barrels — 1:8″ or 1:7″ — will also stabilize the bullet without issue, though they offer no meaningful accuracy advantage at this weight. Barrels with a 1:12″ twist, still found on some older or budget rifles, may not fully stabilize the 40 grain V-Max, potentially resulting in keyholing or degraded accuracy. When in doubt, consult the barrel manufacturer’s recommended bullet weight range for your specific twist rate.
Does this load comply with lead-free regulations in California or other restricted zones?
No. The Fiocchi Extrema 40 grain V-Max uses a lead-core bullet and does not comply with California’s Condor Zone lead-free requirements or similar restrictions in other jurisdictions. Hunters shooting on California public lands within the affected zones are required to use certified non-lead projectiles. This load is also ineligible for use on some federal and state lands that have adopted lead-free mandates. Shooters in restricted areas should consult current state wildlife agency regulations and select a certified non-lead alternative — such as loads using Barnes TSX or similar all-copper construction — before hunting in any regulated zone.
Submit Your Data · Real-World Results
Manufacturer velocity figures are measured under controlled lab conditions – barrel length, temperature, and lot number all affect real-world performance. The data below comes from community submissions tied to specific test conditions and reviewed before publishing.
Once this page reaches 3 approved submissions, aggregate velocity and confidence level will appear here automatically.
You need to login first.Results vary by firearm, barrel condition, ammunition lot, and environmental factors. Submitted data is for reference only. Ammo Reports does not guarantee accuracy of user-submitted results.
