Need load for 168 AMAX in a .308 Remington 700

[Sam Adams]

I've got a Remington 700VS in .308, and for handloading I've always used the 155 or 168 gr. Sierra MKs. A friend has turned me on to the Hornady AMAX bullets, but he has no load info for me. I'd greatly appreciate any shared load information.

BTW, the majority of my available cases are fire-formed Winchester brass (once-fired). I have a bunch of standard Winchester LR primers, but I just got 200 Federal 210M primers at the gun show this weekend.

Thanks for any input, and apologies if a similar thread appears elsewhere (I looked, in vain).

 

[ocabj]

You should be able to use the data for the Sierra 168gr BTHP Match Kings. The only concern you should have is that the Amax seats deeper than the Sierra MK. Last year I loaded the 168gr AMax in .308 using 44.0gr Varget just to play around and it was as accurate as the 168gr SMK. Granted, 44.0gr Varget probably isn't great in the velocity department if you plan on shooting at longer ranges.

 

[moredes]

I agree, the 168SMK recipe should do fine with the AMAX substitute. No offense to Ocabj, but he said,

Last year I loaded the 168gr AMax in .308 using 44.0gr Varget just to play around and it was as accurate as the 168gr SMK

I'd be willing to bet his shooting distance when comparing these bullets was relatively short--say, 300yd or less--because AMAX's have a reputation of keeping tighter groups at longer distances (and are comparable in close). Most folks I've read about who use the 178AMAX's prefer them over the 175SMK's at >300yd because they've found the AMAX to be more accurate, and increasingly so, out past 500yd.

In my own experience, I've found that the AMAX needs a longer distance than the SMK to "settle down" before the better results can be seen.

 

[dakotasin]

i use win cases, cci br-2 primers, 168 hornady a-max's, and a very stiff load of varget for my 1000 yard gun... i won't post the amount of powder because it is above published specs in all 3 of my manuals, but my 700 vls (26" heavy barrel)responds extremely well to the load, and it is very accurate. brass life is excellent, too.

anyway, varget is the ticket.

 

[halvey]

Oh come on now. How much Varget do you use? Don't be shy, ever check out Clark's posts?!!

I am using the same powder/gun combo as you.

 

[P0832177]

Halvey thought you were using some surplus powder?

 

[halvey]

I am, but will be trying some different ones. That mil surp powder meters like crap. And the Lake City brass isn't doing it for me either.

I think I will eventually stop with the powder drop on the Dillon and hand measure out each charge.

I'm heading out tomorrow - maybe morning, not sure yet. I only have 30 or so cartridges loaded, but it's a start.