Are these Hornady 50 Grain V-MAX bullets compatible with older rifle barrels that have a slow 1:12 or 1:14 twist rate?

Yes, the 50-grain weight and shorter profile of these .224 bullets are designed to stabilise reliably in standard twist rates, including slower 1:12 and 1:14 inch barrels commonly found on older .222 Remington and .22-250 rifles. They also perform exceptionally well in modern 1:9 and 1:8 twist barrels.

What is the minimum impact velocity required for the polymer tip to initiate proper fragmentation on pests?

Hornady rates the expansion threshold for the V-MAX line down to 1,600 fps. When pushed at typical muzzle velocities between 3,000 and 3,800+ fps in calibres like .223 Rem or .22-250 Rem, the hard polymer tip drives backward into the lead core to ensure violent fragmentation even at extended ranges.

Can I use these 50 gr V-MAX projectiles for hunting medium-sized game like deer or feral pigs in the Australian bush?

No, these thin-jacketed varmint bullets are strictly engineered for small game and pest control under 50 lbs, such as foxes, hares, and wild dogs, and do not provide sufficient penetration for medium-to-large game. For larger animals, you should use controlled-expansion hunting bullets like Hornady InterLock, CX, or SST.

What reloading equipment pairs well with these projectiles for setting up a single-stage press setup?

To reload these .224 bullets efficiently on a single-stage press, pairing your setup with the Lee Precision 90045 Reloader Single Stage Press and Hornady Lock-N-Load Quick Change Die Bushings allows for fast, repeatable die changes. You will also need compatible .22 cal seating dies and properly prepped .224-bore cartridge brass.

Varmint Bullets - Hornady 22261

The Hornady .224 22 Cal 50 Grain V-Max Bullets (MPN: 22261) are reloading projectiles engineered specifically for pest eradication, small predator control, and flat-shooting field accuracy. Built around a swaged lead core housed in an Advanced Manufacturing Process (AMP) copper jacket, each bullet features a hard polymer tip set above an internal cavity. On impact, the tip drives backward into the core to trigger rapid, violent fragmentation at terminal velocities down to 1,600 fps. With a weight of 50 grains and a G1 ballistic coefficient of 0.242, these .224-calibre projectiles stabilise reliably across slow 1:12" and 1:14" barrel twist rates as well as modern fast-twist barrels, making them adaptable across standard cartridges like .222 Remington, .223 Remington, and .22-250 Remington.

Key Features

Explosive Terminal Expansion: The polymer tip acts as a wedge driving directly into the lead core on contact, initiating rapid fragmentation even at reduced downrange velocities.
Concentric AMP Jacket: Features near-zero wall thickness variation to maintain match-grade flight balance and jacket integrity at muzzle velocities ranging from 3,000 fps to beyond 3,800 fps.
Broad Twist Rate Compatibility: The 50-grain weight and 0.772-inch overall length stabilise effectively in traditional 1:12" and 1:14" twist barrels without sacrificing performance in faster 1:8" or 1:9" twists.
Aerodynamic Profile: Designed with a boat-tail base and streamlined polymer tip to deliver a flat trajectory and reliable external ballistics out to typical 350-to-400-metre varmint hunting ranges.

Product Specifications

Calibre/Diameter: .22 Calibre / 0.224 in (5.69 mm)
Bullet Weight: 50 grains (approx. 3.24 g)
Bullet Style: Polymer-tipped, swaged lead core, boat tail
Ballistic Coefficient: 0.242 (G1)
Sectional Density: 0.142
Overall Bullet Length: 0.772 in
Minimum Expansion Velocity: 1,600 fps (approx. 488 m/s)
Quantity: 100 bullets per box (inert component; unprimed reloading projectiles)
Manufacturer Part Number: 22261

Who is the Hornady .224 50 Grain V-Max Bullets 100 Pack for?

Varmint and pest control shooters — Requires reliable terminal fragmentation on targets like foxes, wild dogs, hares, and feral cats at typical operating distances up to 350 to 400 metres, which this reloading varmint bullet delivers via a 0.242 G1 ballistic coefficient and rapid expansion down to 1,600 fps.
Centrefire handloaders — Seeks consistent chambering and flight balance across varied .224-calibre actions, served by this reloading varmint bullet's 50-grain profile that stabilises in slow 1:12" and 1:14" factory twist barrels as well as fast modern rifling, supplied in a convenient 100-bullet box.

Less suitable for: Medium or large game exceeding 50 lbs (approx. 23 kg) such as deer or feral pigs, impacts below 1,600 fps, or long-range shooting past 400 metres; these applications require heavier, controlled-expansion hunting projectiles or high-BC heavy-match bullets.

SKU	HN42717LP
Model #	22261
Brand	Hornady
Shipping Weight	1.0000kg

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Hornady 22261 V-Max Reloading Bullets .224 50 Grain 100 Pack

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