The Hornady Custom .243 Winchester sends an 87-grain V-MAX bullet downrange at 3240 feet per second, generating 2028 foot-pounds of muzzle energy. The V-MAX was designed from the ground up for varmint hunting—the thin jacket and polymer tip work together to create explosive expansion on small targets. That 87-grain weight sits heavier than typical varmint bullets, giving this load crossover potential for predator-sized game.

The V-MAX bullet's polymer tip serves multiple purposes. It protects the lead tip during feeding, improves the ballistic coefficient to 0.400, and drives back into the core on impact to initiate violent expansion. The concentricity of Hornady's match-grade jacket ensures accuracy, while the thin walls allow rapid fragmentation. This creates devastating wound channels on prairie dogs, groundhogs, and coyotes.

This ammunition excels for varmint hunters who want flat trajectory and explosive terminal performance. The 87-grain weight hits harder than lighter varmint bullets, making it effective on coyotes out to 300 yards where smaller bullets might not anchor them cleanly. Prairie dog towns and groundhog fields are where the V-MAX shines—the explosive expansion means no ricochets and instant incapacitation. It's also suitable for deer in a pinch, though purpose-built hunting bullets are preferred.