Ammo Reports Team
| Official Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Hornady |
| Cartridge | 6.5 Creedmoor |
| Product Line | Varmint Express |
| Bullet Name / Bullet Type | V-Max |
| Bullet Weight | 95 gr |
| SKU / Part Number / Item Number | 81481 |
| UPC | 090255814811 |
| Rounds per Box | 20 |
| Muzzle Velocity | 3,300 fps |
| Muzzle Energy | 2,297 ft-lb |
| Ballistic Coefficient G1 | 0.365 |
| Ballistic Coefficient G7 | Not found |
| Case Material | Brass |
| Primer | Not found |
| Reloadable | Yes |
| Test Barrel Length | 24 in |
| Zero Distance | 200 yd |
| Sight Height | Not found |
| Intended Use | Varmint and predator hunting |
| Product Status | Current |
| Closest Competitors | Nosler Varmageddon 6.5 Creedmoor 90 gr Flat Base Tipped; Barnes Vor-Tx 6.5 Creedmoor 100 gr TTSX Boat Tail |
Data is based on official manufacturer sources. Found an error? Send us the source link.
Official Ballistics
Hornady publishes the following data for this exact 81481 load from a 24-inch test barrel with a 200-yard zero. Wind drift is omitted because Hornady does not publish an exact wind table for this product.
| Distance (yd) | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lb) | Trajectory (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 3,300 | 2,297 | -1.5 |
| 100 | 3,023 | 1,928 | +1.2 |
| 200 | 2,764 | 1,612 | 0.0 |
| 300 | 2,520 | 1,339 | -5.7 |
| 400 | 2,288 | 1,104 | -16.9 |
| 500 | 2,068 | 902 | -34.8 |
Official Hornady product and ballistics source.
Product Overview
Varmint Express uses Hornady’s 95 gr V-Max bullet with a polymer tip and AMP jacket. It is a high-velocity 6.5 Creedmoor load intended for rapid expansion and fragmentation on varmints and predators.
Best Uses
- Prairie dogs, ground squirrels, and similar varmints
- Coyote and predator hunting where a rapidly expanding bullet is appropriate
- Shooters who want the highest published muzzle velocity among these Hornady 6.5 Creedmoor loads
Reliability Notes
- Use 3,300 fps as the official 24-inch test-barrel reference and verify actual velocity in the rifle used.
- The official trajectory uses a 200-yard zero; confirm point of impact before field use.
- The light 95 gr bullet may have a different zero from heavier 6.5 Creedmoor hunting or match ammunition.
Competitors
| Load | Weight | Bullet | BC (G1) | Muzzle Velocity | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nosler Varmageddon 6.5 Creedmoor 90 gr Flat Base Tipped | 90 gr | Flat Base Tipped | Approx. 0.310 | 3,300 fps | Lighter dedicated varmint load |
| Barnes Vor-Tx 6.5 Creedmoor 100 gr TTSX Boat Tail | 100 gr | TTSX Boat Tail | Approx. 0.397 | 3,300 fps | Lead-free hunting alternative |
FAQ
How does the V-Max expand at different ranges?
Hornady publishes a minimum expansion velocity of 1,600 fps for the V-Max. This load maintains above 2,068 fps at 500 yards (per Hornady’s official data), meaning reliable fragmentation extends through 500 yards. At close range (inside 100 yards) the high velocity produces immediate, violent fragmentation. The hollow cavity under the tip’s stem is the key mechanism — on impact the tip shaft builds momentum before smashing into the core, triggering the fragmentation cascade regardless of whether the bullet hits at 3,300 fps or 2,000 fps.
Can I use this on deer in a pinch?
No. The 95 gr V-Max at 3,300 fps is engineered for explosive fragmentation, not penetration. On a deer, the bullet will typically fragment in the first 2–3 inches of penetration, long before reaching vital organs through muscle, fat, and hide. This is the correct behavior for a varmint bullet on small animals. On deer-sized game it produces inadequate penetration for reliable kills. The minimum appropriate Hornady bullet for deer in 6.5 CM is the 129 gr SST or 143 gr ELD-X. Do not use varmint loads on medium or large game.
Why does 6.5 Creedmoor cost more per round for varmints than .22-250?
Simple economics: cartridge volume. .22-250 and .223 Rem are produced in vastly higher quantities than 6.5 CM varmint loads. Higher production volume reduces per-round manufacturing cost. 6.5 CM varmint loads are a niche within a niche — the result is a roughly 2–3× price premium over equivalent .22-250 or .243 Win varmint ammunition. For the hunter who already owns a 6.5 CM and shoots varmints occasionally (1–3 boxes per season), the cost difference is manageable. For dedicated high-volume varmint shooting, a purpose-built varmint caliber is meaningfully more economical.
Does this load require a specific twist rate for accuracy?
Most modern 6.5 Creedmoor factory rifles ship with 1:8″ twist — well suited for stabilizing a 95 gr bullet. Some older or budget 6.5 CM rifles may have 1:10″ twist; this would also stabilize 95 gr adequately. The concern with twist rate in 6.5 CM is primarily for heavy match bullets (140–156 gr) that require 1:8″ or faster. A 95 gr bullet is short relative to caliber and stabilizes reliably in any standard 6.5 CM twist.
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.
| UPC # | Firearm | Barrel (in) | Avg Velocity (fps) | Shots | Temp (°F) | Chronograph | Lot | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 090255814811 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | No data yet |
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Last updated: April 2026 · Data confidence: Low (0 submissions) · Specs verified against Hornady official ballistics chart and multiple established retailers.
