ihmsa forums

I just got a 10 in. contender barrel for FP and am wondering if 40 gr. v-max will handle rams?

Generally I would say no, at least not reliably. Some do shoot the 22mag but they also loose rams. I would stick with 50gr or heavier bullets. Keep you loads at 1750-1800fps and you should do ok.
Bret

I use the Hornady 45 grain SP's in mine, and although I printed 5 shots in .636" with it at 100 yards, all the accuracy in the world wouldn't take the rams reliably. I now use a 55 grainer for rams, after ringing a few too many.

Try using the 52 grain match or 53 grain flat base Sierra match bullets.

Madmark wrote:I use the Hornady 45 grain SP's in mine, and although I printed 5 shots in .636" with it at 100 yards, all the accuracy in the world wouldn't take the rams reliably. I now use a 55 grainer for rams, after ringing a few too many.

I had exactly the same results. My tender is astonishingly accurate the the little Hornadys but would ring the rams with a low center hit.

I now shoot bulk 55gr FMJ bullets. I added a full inch to my group size but have not rung a ram since then (still manage to miss plenty though).
With my barrel it doesn't do a very good job of stabilizing the 55gr bullets & they start to get squirrely much past 100.