hornady a-max 308?

johndeeretimex

johndeeretimex

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Hello

I just getting into long range shooting with the 308 and i am going to be using the a-max 155g bullet. I was wondering if anyone has any information on what i should be loading it to and the over all length should be on the round.

thanks
 
Hi. You have to work up the load for your rifle. There's lots of 155 grain data on Hodgdon's site. Who made the bullet doesn't matter. OAL is given as 2.775".
You may want to look into Sierra 168 grain Matchkings though. Depending on what you call long range. Not that 155's won't work.
 
If you are shooting Target Rifle class the max bullet weight allowed is 156 gr. 168's were designed in the 60's for 300m ISU competition.
I tried 155 amax bullets when they first came out and could not get them to shoot. Hornady changed them a few years ago and I tried a box a couple years ago. I only shot them at 300M and found them to be very accurate.
There are better 155 gr bullets out there for long range, but I don't think you will be at a disadvantage with 155 amax bullets if you are just getting into long range shooting.
 
Lots if powders work well in the 308. RL15, Varget seem to be favorites but others have had good success with other powders.

OAL will depend on two things

How far will you be to the lands and do you want it to feed from the mag.

If you want mag feed, you can't load longer than the mag.

If you don't care about mag feed (or are using a single shot) then you have to set the bullets based on the distance to the start of the rifling. Opinions vary as to how far from the lands or if you should be jamming the bullet into the lands. Really depends on the rifle too.

Just starting out, I would say work with OAL provided in the manuals (which should work in the mag) and then experiment from there.

Oh, and 155's are good to a 1000 yards usually. The Amax has a bit of low BC compared to others so unless you drive it really fast (3000 fps ish) it can go sub-sonic before you get there (trust me, I know:() and then things get weird.

I am going to try Lapua Scenars and maybe Berger 155.5's this year at long distance to see if I get better results. I am going to stick with the cheaper Amax for precision (800 yds max) this year I think though.
 
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The first version of the 155AMAX was longer, with a larger plastic tip than the current version. Apparently there were problems with the tips breaking off when used in autoloading rifles for US National Match shooting. The design was revised. A rifle owned by a friend shot this type very well.
The second shorter version shot well in my TR rifle, and in my friend's, although not as well as the first version did in his rifle.
Is there any particular reason that you have decided that the AMAX will be the bullet you are going to use? By all means, test them, see if they work to your satisfaction, but test other bullets as well.
I have observed 168s fail at long range, both hand loads and factory; destabilize and tumble.
Study the ballistic tables for long range performance, look at wind drift and the velocities required for optimum performance. Find out which bullets perform best for you.
 
Used it years back to get over 1400yds from a 308. And over 1mile in a 300Wby.

How far were you thinking of going?

Hrn has now made these bullets with a new jacket which is supposed to improve accuracy. I have them instock

They are accurate, affordable and no issue going a very long ways.

All other options from Sierra, Berger, Nosler, Lapua, etc available too.

Jerry
 
I'm just getting into the long range shooting myself. Just purchased a Savage 12 FTR in 308 and a Nightforce 8-32X56 scope. I haven't tried hand loads yet and have been using Hornady Match ammo with the A-Max 155 grain bullet to break in the bore. Only 40 rounds through the rifle so far. Here are a couple of 200 yard groups using these bullets, I pulled a shot out each group so still lots of room for improvement. I'm hoping for groups half that size when I start reloading with Lapua cases, Berger 155.4 gr. bullets and N150 powder.
IMG_0075.jpg

IMG_0076.jpg
 
"...matter with the 155?..." Nothing. The Palma Match guys are required to use 'em. Mind you, those rifles weigh around 14 pounds. A 168 will 'buck' the wind better out to 600 though.
 
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