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Hornady Varmint Express, .223 Remington, V-MAX, 55 Grain

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Ammo Reports Team 27 223 Remington

$23.74 $24.99

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Hornady Varmint Express, .223 Remington, V-MAX, 55 Grain

$23.74 $24.99

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Official Specs

Note on Muzzle Energy: Hornady lists muzzle velocity at 3,240 fps from a 24″ test barrel. The 1,282 ft-lbs energy figure is calculated using the standard kinetic energy formula (mv²/450,400) and is labeled as such. Shooters using 16″ or 18″ barrels should expect a meaningful velocity reduction — typically 50–100 fps per 2″ of barrel lost — and should not treat the published figure as a guarantee from a carbine-length rifle.

Note on BC G7: Hornady does not publish a G7 BC for the 55gr V-MAX in .223 Remington. The G1 value of 0.255 is the figure Hornady uses in their trajectory tables and is appropriate for use at the engagement distances typical of varmint hunting.

Note on UPC: UPC was not available in the source data for this listing. Buyers should verify via the SKU (83026) when ordering.

Ballistics Table

Calculated estimate. Real-world results vary by barrel length, temperature, altitude, and lot. Community submissions will provide measured muzzle velocity for comparison.

Zeroed at 100 yards. Sight height 1.5″ above bore. Based on 3,240 fps muzzle velocity, G1 BC 0.255, standard atmosphere (59°F, sea level).

Key takeaway: The 55gr V-MAX retains supersonic velocity well past 400 yards, though the trajectory drop beyond 300 yards becomes significant without a confirmed range and holdover. At typical varmint distances of 100–250 yards, the flat trajectory requires minimal correction. Energy at 300 yards (~575 ft-lbs) remains more than adequate for prairie dogs, ground squirrels, and similarly sized targets, but wind drift — not covered in this table — deserves attention past 250 yards given the moderate G1 BC of 0.255. Shooters using 16″ barrels should expect real muzzle velocity closer to 3,050–3,100 fps, which will shift all downrange figures accordingly.

The Hornady V-MAX Bullet

The V-MAX is Hornady’s purpose-built varmint projectile and is one of the most widely recognized designs in the segment. Its defining feature is an AMP (Advanced Manufacturing Process) polymer tip seated in a gilding metal jacket. On impact, the tip is driven rearward into the lead core, initiating rapid, violent expansion — the intended result being near-immediate incapacitation and minimal meat damage on the animal.

The jacket is thinner at the nose and progressively thicker toward the base, a taper designed to control the expansion sequence. The boat-tail base improves the ballistic coefficient relative to a flat-base design at the same weight, contributing to the 0.255 G1 figure. The cannelure is absent on most V-MAX bullets, which is consistent with the design’s target audience — varmint hunters who are not concerned with magazine-fed reliability issues that affect some bonded or crimped hunting bullets.

This construction is explicitly not designed for large game. The rapid fragmentation that makes the V-MAX effective on a prairie dog at 200 yards is the same property that makes it a poor choice where deep penetration is required. That tradeoff is intentional and is not a defect in the design.

Best Uses

Good fit:

• Prairie dog, ground squirrel, and woodchuck hunting at distances from 50 to 300 yards
• Coyote and fox hunting where rapid expansion and reduced pelt damage are priorities at moderate range
• Varmint-specific rifles with 1:12″ or 1:9″ twist rates that stabilize 55gr projectiles well
• Bolt-action and semi-automatic platforms chambered in .223 Remington where consistent feeding from a pointed polymer-tipped bullet is needed
• Situations where explosive terminal performance on small targets is more important than retained weight or penetration

Not the right tool for:

• Deer, hog, or any medium-to-large game — the V-MAX is not designed for deep penetration and will not reliably reach vitals through heavy muscle or bone
• Jurisdictions with lead-free hunting requirements — the V-MAX uses a lead core and does not comply with California Condor Zone or similar lead-free mandates
• Precision long-range work beyond 400 yards where a higher BC projectile would reduce wind drift sensitivity
• Barrier-blind or self-defense applications — rapid fragmentation is a liability in scenarios requiring penetration through intermediate material

Reliability Notes

No structured submissions yet.

Based on manufacturer claims and open-source product information: Hornady states that Varmint Express loads are assembled using flash-hole-deburred cases and carefully selected propellants to deliver consistent velocity spread. The brass case and boxer primer construction are noted to support reuse, though this is a secondary consideration for most varmint hunters buying factory ammunition. Open-source user reports across forums and retail review sections consistently note reliable feeding in AR-platform rifles and bolt guns, with no recurring mention of primer or case defects specific to this load. Notes on accuracy commonly reference sub-MOA groups from quality bolt-action rifles, though these are anecdotal and not structured data. All reliability observations here come from manufacturer claims or publicly available open sources, not structured AmmoReports submissions.

Competitors

The Federal Varmint & Predator and Fiocchi loads use the same Hornady V-MAX projectile as this Hornady factory load. Terminal performance should be nearly identical; differences, if any, lie in brass quality, propellant selection, and quality control tolerances.

Price Reality

• Typical retail range: $21–$26 per 20-round box; case pricing (500 rounds) typically runs $500–$580 when available
• Per-round cost: $1.19/round at the $23.74 reference price; budget sources may reach $1.05/round
• Versus Federal Varmint & Predator 55gr V-MAX: nearly identical per-round pricing, often within $0.05–$0.10 per round — both use the same bullet
• Versus Fiocchi 55gr V-MAX: Fiocchi typically runs $0.10–$0.15/round cheaper for the same projectile; meaningful savings at volume
• Versus Black Hills 52gr V-MAX: Black Hills commands a $0.20–$0.35/round premium, reflecting its reputation for tighter velocity consistency
• Fair price benchmark: Paying more than $1.40/round for this load at standard retail quantities represents an overpriced purchase unless supply is severely constrained

Prices change. Check the Where to Buy block for current listings.

Where to Buy

Hornady Varmint Express, .223 Remington, V-MAX, 55 Grain, 20 Rounds

Hornady Varmint Express .223 Remington ammunition features 55-grain V-MAX bullets, designed for precision and rapid expansion, making it ideal for varmint hunting. With 20 rounds per box, this ammunition ensures you're well-equipped for your next outing.

$23.74 at Sportsmansguide.com

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FAQ

Does the 55gr V-MAX stabilize in a 1:9″ twist barrel?
Yes. The 55gr V-MAX is well within the stability range of a 1:9″ twist at .223 Remington velocities. A 1:9″ twist is generally considered the practical standard for 50–62gr bullets in this caliber. Shooters using 1:12″ twist barrels — common in older bolt guns — should verify stability, as 1:12″ is borderline for 55gr projectiles depending on bullet length and velocity. A 1:8″ twist will also stabilize the 55gr V-MAX without issue, though it is optimized for heavier bullets.

How does this load compare to the Federal Varmint & Predator 55gr V-MAX?
Both loads use the identical Hornady V-MAX projectile at the same weight and published muzzle velocity. The meaningful differences are in brass sourcing, propellant selection, and manufacturing tolerances — none of which are publicly documented in a way that allows a data-driven comparison. Price at time of purchase is the most practical differentiator for most buyers. Neither load has a documented ballistic advantage over the other in published specifications.

Is the V-MAX legal for coyote hunting in California?
No. California’s lead-free hunting requirement applies statewide for all hunting with firearms. The 55gr V-MAX uses a lead core and does not comply with California’s non-toxic ammunition mandate. Hunters in California should select a lead-free alternative such as a Barnes TSX, Nosler E-Tip, or similar all-copper or copper-alloy projectile in .223 Remington.

Can this load be used for deer hunting in states where .223 Remington is legal for deer?
This is not recommended. The V-MAX is designed for rapid fragmentation, which is the opposite of what is needed for reliable, ethical deer harvests. Even in states where .223 Remington is legal for deer, the V-MAX construction is likely to produce shallow wound channels and inconsistent penetration on animals larger than coyote. A bonded or controlled-expansion bullet in .223 Remington — such as the Hornady GMX or Federal Trophy Bonded — is a far more appropriate choice for deer-sized game.

What barrel length was used to generate Hornady’s published 3,240 fps velocity?
Hornady’s published muzzle velocity of 3,240 fps is derived from a 24-inch test barrel under controlled conditions. Most AR-15 and bolt-action hunting rifles use 16″ to 22″ barrels. As a general rule, expect a reduction of approximately 25–50 fps per inch of barrel below 24″. A 16″ barrel will likely produce velocities in the range of 3,000–3,100 fps with this load, which remains fully functional for varmint hunting but will shift downrange energy and trajectory figures meaningfully compared to the published table.

Hornady Varmint Express, .223 Remington, V-MAX, 55 Grain, 20 Rounds

$23.74

$24.99

in stock