Anyone loading Hornady 178gr BTHPs for 308?

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223submoa

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I'm looking to try a new projectile in my 700p, and am considering these, but can't find much info on what kind of success people are having with them. Does anyone have any feedback? Thanks!

Mike
 
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I tried both Hornady 178 BTHP and 178 AMAX on my rifle. Both shot the same consistency but 178 AMAX has a ever so slightly smaller grouping at 300 m. You have to try it in your rifle to verify. I ended up with SMK 175 gr BTHP being the smallest group at 300 m.
 
I have a bunch that I haven't tried yet. I normally use 175 SMK but am running very low. When the SMK's are gone, I will just simply put the Hornady's in. Might require a little load adjustment but I don't expect much.
 
Both work very well in the 700P rifles, or most 308s for that matter.
IF the plan is for hunting however, the Amax is the only choice. The BTHP version is a very tough bullet that does not expand well at all. The Amax on the other hand is a very fragile bullet that reacts much like the Nosler Ballistic Tip or the Swift Sirocco.
 
I use them in Win brass with 44.5 Varget and load them out long. I couldn't find SMK175s when I started load development, so I bought a bunch of these. Very happy so far. First real long range try at 833 yards put 3 into 4".
 
alberta tactical rifle said:
Both work very well in the 700P rifles, or most 308s for that matter.
IF the plan is for hunting however, the Amax is the only choice. The BTHP version is a very tough bullet that does not expand well at all. The Amax on the other hand is a very fragile bullet that reacts much like the Nosler Ballistic Tip or the Swift Sirocco.
Click to expand...

I would not recommend hunting with AMAX. This is primarily a target bullet. Hornady describes it as having "Rapid, explosive expansion with limited penetration. Not recommended for hunting"
The SST bullets from Hornady are primarily for hunting. They look similar, but SST is built to expand in a controlled manner.
 
relic38 said:
I would not recommend hunting with AMAX. This is primarily a target bullet. Hornady describes it as having "Rapid, explosive expansion with limited penetration. Not recommended for hunting"
The SST bullets from Hornady are primarily for hunting. They look similar, but SST is built to expand in a controlled manner.
Click to expand...

I should have qualified my reply better.
For close range hunting I agree the SST is the better choice, but beyond 500 yards in a 308 probably 1 of the worst. At distances beyond 500 yards the Amax excels like no other bullet. The loss of velocity that the 308 has at that distance will pretty much turn any conventional hunting bullet to what a FMJ will do. The Amax is very fragile and at 500 plus yards, putting 1 in the chest cavity is much akin to feeding the critter a grenade. The damage to heart and lungs is truly devastating.
The only manufacturer who endorses target ULD style bullets is Berger, and they have 2 lines of their bullets. From the mouth of Walt Berger at SHOT 2013. What is the difference between the hunting and target bullets you make? " The box. Nothing else"

For a much more in depth and professional description of how bullets react, a book by Nathan Foster "Practical Guide to long range hunting cartridges" is a wealth of first hand documented info. A very worthwhile read.
 
You aren't the first person I've read using a load right around 44.5 with varget. Mine arrive tomorrow, so looking forward to trying them out!

heyrosco said:
I use them in Win brass with 44.5 Varget and load them out long. I couldn't find SMK175s when I started load development, so I bought a bunch of these. Very happy so far. First real long range try at 833 yards put 3 into 4".
Click to expand...
 
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