Trying out some 168gr Amaxes

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JDGray

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Ran out of my Sierra 168SMK, and tried some 168gr Amaxes. I didn't work up a load for it, just loaded it to my SMK data. Wasn't too pleased, but why should I be, I just threw them together:D I did find my rifle likes 44gr Varget, just as well as my 43gr load, with the SMKs. My best group today was 7rds into .596" at 100yrds. I tried out some factory Federal Eagle 150gr FMJ BT, shot very bad at 2.198" too bad cause I got 80rds left to shoot:barf: I'll give the Amaxes a fair shot, and work them up.

Same old shooter
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I've heard good things about the A-MAX and you should seat them as close to the rifling's as you can. No reason why they won't shot with a little load development. 43-44gr of Varget sounds right to me. Maybe you were just shivering!
 
I did seat the Amaxes out quite a bit further than the SMKs, 2.845" opposed to 2.805" It gave me .010 off. And I did call the flier in the top right Amax group, but gotta measure all five:D

With a little work, I'll get them in the 5s & 6s consistantly. Wasn't too bad shooting today, but I'm bad for not letting the barrel cool, maybe 1 Minute between shots. I couldn't get the front rest any lower, so I had to turn my rear bag sideways to get low enough, it was kinda akwards.
 
What brass do you use? If your gasoline is Varget (me too) I've found 168gr pills like near max loads of around 46gr of Varget behind them.
 
Max loads never worked for me. Groups improved significantly backing down to 44gr of Varget. Groups improved even more switching from Amax to Sierra BTHP. Depends on the rifle...
 
JP, loading Fed brass, GMM empties. I do load Varget, during load development with 168gr SMKs 43gr varget shot the best, but 44 was right there with it, but decided on the lighter charge. 44gr does shoot well, and when I order more 168gr SMKs, I'm gonna step them up to 44gr. But for now I gotta get a load for the Amaxs:)
 
Max load of Varget and the 168AMAX is straight money in .308. They shoot as well as SMK's for me after alittle work-up.

.596 X 7rds is pretty dang good. IMO that's better than 99% of the population can do.

t2e
 
JP, loading Fed brass, GMM empties. I do load Varget, during load development with 168gr SMKs 43gr varget shot the best, but 44 was right there with it, but decided on the lighter charge. 44gr does shoot well, and when I order more 168gr SMKs, I'm gonna step them up to 44gr. But for now I gotta get a load for the Amaxs

The Reason I ask is Fed Brass seems to be thicker and has less volume. 43-44gr should be around max loads with Varget in Fed Brass...far as I can tell.
 
The Reason I ask is Fed Brass seems to be thicker and has less volume. 43-44gr should be around max loads with Varget in Fed Brass...far as I can tell.
Yeah...My loads over 44 seemed hot, & groups opened up.

Thanks for the kind words, guys:)
 
I've been using 168 grain A-Max bullets and loading it with 44gr of Hodgdons behind it loaded in Lake City brass and out of my Rem 700 at 100 yards I get about half inch to an inch groups.
But I can't beleive how terrible of groups you got with that American Eagle stuff!
BTW, that is a mighty fine looking rifle you got there...
 
But I can't beleive how terrible of groups you got with that American Eagle stuff!
BTW, that is a mighty fine looking rifle you got there...

Thanks, and you ain't kidding! I'll be using them for fowlers:D Like the brass, however.

Funny thing about the Fed Eagle ammo, I hit the steel swingers hanging from chains in the background of my first pic 4-5 at 100yrds, standing position. I don't practice it enough, and said to myself, "the crap cant be too bad".......But it is:D
 
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