Need Help with 178 A-Max

bobv

bobv

Regular
Rating - 100%
40   0   0
Location
Joliette Qc
I've been trying to load some accurate loads in my 308 with 178 A-max and I'm not getting good results so far . My rifle is a Savage 10LP-LE2B with a 1 in 10" barrel. I'm using Fed match primers and Lapua & Norma cases. My favorite powder is 4064...but I'm all out of it for now and have a lot of Varget on hand ..so I would like to put together some accurate loads with this powder. I'm looking for target loads (100yds)...not hunting!!!
Any suggestions would be appreciated
PS I also have IMR 4895
Thanks
Bob
 
The load of choice for many benchrest Hunter Class shooters was Imr 4895 and some used H 4895 with 168gr MK very light load 39 +grs.
You are using good brass and primers, it should work out, only problem is your twist 1/10 the above load was used in 1/12 twist. If your going with the Hornadys you might want to try some Varget
I have tried the amax's in a few guns and do not have success with there bullets I find the Sierra's and Bergers to be a better choice.
 
Varget will do nicely, but you'll have to work up the load. Use Hodgdon 180 grain Varget data or buy a Hornady manual. 2 grains weight difference won't matter. Hodgdon suggests 41.0 to 45.0(compressed) of Varget for a 180 grain bullet.
 
Well I loaded some 308's last night with Varget and 178's and went to the range this morning, got some great results. I loaded 41grs to 44grs with the bullets just touching the lands. The 2 best loads were 41gr and 44gr , the 2 extremes:confused:kind of weird...but it worked ,I guess I'll try again with these 2 loads, one should be better then the other...will see
Bob
PS a couple of tables down ,there was a guy shooting a MG-34:eek: nice!!!
 
I've had excellent results in my target rifle with the old Hornady 180-grain BTHP match bullet using between 42.5 to 43 grains of Varget.

I'd expect the AMAX to be fairly similar because Hornady seems to use a fairly consistent jacket between bullets

When I start playing with 178 AMAXs in this target rifle, I'll try this load.
 
I shoot Moly-Coated 178GR AMAXs out of my .308............

McPhee 1 in 11.3" twist, 26.5" long barrel

Bullet seated to 2.800" OAL..........


I use Varget with a charge of 44.5 grs.................Gets 2750 fps and shoots 0.5 MOA out to 600 meters.........

I have used this load for over 3 years............

SKBY.
 
I rechecked my targets I shot this morning and the group shot with 44grs is smaller then the 41gr group:) So I guess the next test will be 44grs
Bob
 
The 178gr. A-MAX is by far the most accurate bullet out of my customized Rem700P. With Fed210M primers, Win/Lapua cases and 43grains of Varget they consistantly group into one ragged hole.

As someone mentioned, seat them long, close to the rifling and they are marvelous. My loads are 2.86" COL and chrony at 2650fps. I have tried them out to 400 yards and still retain sub 0.5MOA groups.

178gr. AMAX's rock in my system, beats the pants off of anything SMK I can load up (and I've tried hundreds of combo's). Find the sweet spot and work on the overall length and the AMAX's are amazing bullets!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom