Hornady Amax 208 30-06

[KYregular]

I have about 75 of these I want to load, now that I know the 208 Amax is obsolete. Testing today with 51.5 grains of IMR4350 went as follow.

Load length 2.662 at ogive
51.5 grains IMR4350
5 shot group
2506 avg fps
Extreme spread 4
Std deviation 2
Sub moa 100 us a

52 grains IMR4350
5 shot group
2514 avg fps
Extreme spread 32
Std deviation 18
1.5" group

Anyone else worked a similar load? Is 2500 or so fps suitable for this round?

 

[jmr40]

I've experimented some with 200 gr bullets in 30-06 and 308. Haven't found a load I'm happy with in either yet. But still working on it.

Any of the 4350's are great with bullet weights up to about 180 gr. You can get better speeds, and equal accuracy with different powders with bullets above 180 gr. I'd be looking at RL19 or RL22. You should be able to get at least 2600 fps with either of those. This data is for 210 gr Nosler bullets, but should be close enough to get you started if you want to try something else. But a 208 @ 2500 fps isn't bad.

https://load-data.nosler.com/load-data/30-06-springfield/

 

[Nature Boy]

I have a box of 208 AMAX and was also wonder how they might do in my .30-06

Sounds like you found a good combo, particularly that 51.5 load.

When you ask, “is 2,500 suitable” my question is suitable for what? Maximizing BC? Terminal performance on X game at Y distance?

Per @jmr40, you could likely squeeze out some more velocity with a slower powder. I developed a hunting load for last deer season with 180g Sierra Prohunters and 60g of RL22 which netted 2,740fps. You likely won’t be able to fit that much powder in the case with those long 208s but might get enough to reach mid 2,600. You will have to determine what is safe and accurate

 

[KYregular]

I have a box of 208 AMAX and was also wonder how they might do in my .30-06

Sounds like you found a good combo, particularly that 51.5 load.

When you ask, “is 2,500 suitable” my question is suitable for what? Maximizing BC? Terminal performance on X game at Y distance?

Per @jmr40, you could likely squeeze out some more velocity with a slower powder. I developed a hunting load for last deer season with 180g Sierra Prohunters and 60g of RL22 which netted 2,740fps. You likely won’t be able to fit that much powder in the case with those long 208s but might get enough to reach mid 2,600. You will have to determine what is safe and accurate

Good question, I would like to have some on hand for pigs out to about 500 yards.

 

[LoonWulf]

I've loaded the 208 eldms over 7828, coal over 3.4", and compression is an issue.
I want to say I either broke 2600, or was very close with them, but I can't honestly remember. Accuracy in my rifle was mediocre at best, so I gave up on them.
Recoil was noticeably stouter than my 178eld-x loads, and velocity lower, honestly unless you have a long throat and mag, I think the 180s are probably the best weight class for the 06.
Nothing wrong with trying other stuff tho, and with the high BC, soft construction, and heavy weight, I think those will work very well launched anywhere over 2450-2500.