Hornady A-max bullet

[HOWARD J]

Anyone loading Hornady A-Max 52 gr bullet in .223 Rem.
If so--what do you think of the bullet for target or varmint hunting?
What powder works best for you.
THX

 

[hey_poolboy]

I no longer own a .223, but I have tried that bullet in my .22-250. My rifle just happens to like the 50gr v-max better. Both perform well on coyotes and other varmints. With a well placed shot I've never had one run more than just a few feet.

My go-to powder is Varget. I've used it in .223 and .22-250 for a while now. I love it. I've tried several others, but just keep coming back to varget. My pet load right now (.22-250) runs on 36.7 gr. of Varget. I don't own a chrony (yet) but my POI doesn't change much from when I sight in (50-60 degrees) and when I hunt. (0-35 degrees) I love being able to rely on a predictable POI no matter the temperature.

 

[NCsmitty]

I have used it for target in my 22-250, but not on game. In my 223 Contender, I use Nosler Custom Competition 52gr BTHP and 26.5gr of H4895, but see no reason that the A-Max wouldn't work as well, I just have not tried it. The 14" Contender shoots everything well.



NCsmitty

 

[nastynatesfish]

i use it im my stevens 200 reloader 10x 24.5 gr. at about 3300. drops a yite in its track and a good .75 grouoing

 

[Tim the student]

I like it a lot for both targets and varmints.

I like 8208 and Benchmark for it.

 

[RC20]

I'll tag onto this one with a question (not trying to Hi Jack.

Just getting back to re-loading after 25 years hiatus, now have a .223/5.56 carbine.

Found some V Max 60 gr, during loading, some of them tore bits of plastic off the tip.

Looking at the die I can see lots of room for a cant, though the seater cone goes down well below the plastic tip once it gets that far.

Seems like competition dies are the only way to get around this, not something I ever ran into with 7mm, 30-06 back in the day, even with lead tips.

Is the .223 more of a problem getting supported if plastic or lead tipped?

Moving to Sierra Varmint in 60 gr, my brother will let me borrow one of his competition dies if I want to work with the V Max.

Also thoughts on 24 gr H335 in that load (seems ok but interested in others). The gun is 5.56 NATO chamber.

 

[HOWARD J]

I have been loading 223 with A & V max using RCBS standard seating die.
After seating I use a separate taper crimp die. Have had no problems.
I use H335, H322 & BLC-2 with good results.
Have fun

 

[RC20]

Not sure what to think, they do appear to go up normal enough not to cant over. They have to be tilting.

I am only seating them in it, not crimping. Would go with separate crimp die like you if I did.

I was going to try the BLC-2 powder to start with, could not find it in this town. Went with the H335 as an equal.

Not sure if I will play with the die or just use the competition ones my brother has offered up on lend lease.

 

[Tim the student]

ETA - not sure why, but even though the title says A-max, I was thinking V-max. I swear I wasn't drinking

I've never tried the A-max, but I continue to be a fan of the V-max.

 

[RC20]

Me too, I realized too late and hoped no one would notice

(though in my case first loads I have done, have shot them my brother has done, liked them)