FN FiveseveN Forums - Pull 40 gr V-MAX from ss196, replace with Berger 30gr ???

Posted by benb:

FN FiveseveN Forums - Pull 40 gr V-MAX from ss196, replace with Berger 30gr ???: "I finally got to pull 5 40gr VMax bullets from some SS196.

The powder charge is a very consistant 4.6 grains of a very fine gray powder. I've never seen anything like it before. The case is only abount half full. The bullet is sealed in the case with some kind of sealer or adhesive.

As for the Berger 30 gr vs. the 40 gr VMax:


VMax measured .683 and the Berger .615. The difference of .068 is mainly in the sharper plastic tip of the VMax versus the blunt hollow point of the Berger.

bullet picture
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005...30/DSC00410.JPG

I set my seating die using a SS196 round which had an OAL of 1.583. My reloaded Berger round measured 1.493, a difference of .090. Again, much of the difference being the sharpened VMax tip. Actually, the Berger may take up the same or more space in the case than the VMax because the Berger is flat based vs. the beveled base on the VMax.

Picture of loaded rounds
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005...30/DSC00408.jpg

My feeling at this point is (like someone else here said) that FN may have been a bit conservative and this round has more potential than what we've gotten from the factory so far. That goes for the SS192/SS195LF as well as the politically correct SS196. Just gotta find the right powder/primer. I also think the Berger 30 has great potential for this round. Still have to get to the range and check out these reloads."