155gr Amax 308

[Nomad]

Received several boxes of 2nds from a friend of 155gr Amax.
Wanting to load these into a 308 just for shooting woodchucks or
rockchucks at most any range out to 450 or so.......
Most powders and primers can be had in the area.
Your load information would be helpful. Shooting a 26" 1/12 twist
Rem 700 all stock.......Thanks.

 

[Kevin Thomas]

The "standard load" used by most Palma shooters with the 155 is right about 45.0 grains of Hodgdon's Varget, give or take a grain depending on the usual factors. We're shooting for 2950 fps from the finished load, but you're not going to see that out of a 26" barrel. Whatever's lost due to the barrel length, I can promise you the 'chucks will never notice the difference.

Good hunting!

Kevin Thomas
Lapua USA

 

[Nomad]

Thank you for your post that was one of the powders that thought
would work good.

 

[Willys46]

The "standard load" used by most Palma shooters with the 155 is right about 45.0 grains of Hodgdon's Varget, give or take a grain depending on the usual factors. We're shooting for 2950 fps from the finished load, but you're not going to see that out of a 26" barrel. Whatever's lost due to the barrel length, I can promise you the 'chucks will never notice the difference.

Good hunting!

Kevin Thomas
Lapua USA

Good choice in Varget, You can also go with RL15 at 45-46 gr or H4895.

 

[Nomad]

Thanks for the information.........

 

[Michael Eichele]

I use BENCHMARK for the 155 AMAX's. The velocity is a tad low but the accuracy is phenominal.

 

[Varmint Hunter]

I use BENCHMARK for the 155 AMAX's. The velocity is a tad low but the accuracy is phenominal.

I'm also using Benchmark with the 155 A-Max bullets. Accuracy is about 1" @ 300 yds when the target gods are smiling. Velocity in my 22" bbl is 2,850.

For whatever it's worth, I'm also getting great accuracy with Benchmark in my .223 using 50gr V-Max bullets. Velocity is 3,400 ft/sec.

 

[Nomad]

Did a work up on two powders, Tac and Varget. Tac from 41gr up to and varget started
at 42gr to 46gr then went up, best overall group was 44.5 of varget win cases prep 210m
and the 155gr Amax outside to outside less than 5/8 of an inch 3 shot group.
Will do a work up on both sides as well as chony the loads.
Thanks to all that helped........

 

[usmc1986]

Are you shooting a SPS Varmint .308? My mid-high accuracy node with Varget, Win brass, Wolf LR primers was 45.6gr in my Rem 700 SPS Varmint 2782 FPS at 1411 ASL. Same with 155 Nosler CC's with same components.

My high node is above max according to Hodgdon at 47.4gr. I had worked up to 47.8 before I noticed any pressure signs on the primers and on the Chrony. Load workup from 47.0gr was with .1gr at a time then backed down and settled on 47.4gr. Chrony's at 2943 FPS. These loads were tested in 95F weather. Seated length is slightly over 2.8 to max AICS mag length for feeding. I was using this load for 1000 yd steel. Consequently, 155 Scenars and Nosler 155 CC's liked 47.4gr load as well

Since you're using a load for Chucks, I'd stick around the 44-46 range wherever your fastest accuracy node is in there. You'll still be good out to 800 ish yards.


WARNING: These loads are safe in MY RIFLE! Start low and work up very slowly, preferably with a Chrony if you're going to start approaching MAX or going above max published loads. MY RIFLE has a long throat which helps in keeping pressures down at these load densities - yours may not.

 

[Nomad]

Loads worked up in a lar8 and Rem 700 VLS not shooting matches just chucks
and varmints.........Nomad

 

[usmc1986]

I wouldn't push much above 46.5gr with Varget in a gas gun - definitely don't push to my high FPS load. Pressures will build to quickly.

 

[MrMajestic]

IMR 4064 with the 155 in the .308 here. Getting great accuracy and velocity from a 20" barrel. Of course doing all the standard accuracy loading procedures and using Lapua brass and match primers. The AMAX's are devastating on whistle pigs. Found one hit with a 168 gr. AMAX out of my '06 10 ft and inside out from the impact position! Hope you don't plan on preparing them for consumption!

 

[usmc1986]

Nomad,

Actually for an AR .308 I'd consider Benchmark as well if you have some handy with 155's. It's a little bit better for keeping the bolt timing in the appropriate cycle and is a good accuracy powder for the lighter bullets in AR10 and AR15 platforms.

You do not want that bolt to unlock too early in the AR platform - bad bad news for your rifle and possibly you.

 

[JOSE A. MARINE]

forget about speed, going lower than max is best for accuracy, I shoot 44.5 imr 4064 with the noslers 155 cc best groups with them, out of a full custom mod70 with shilens select match bull barrel at 24 inches.

primers are br2, cases winchester trimmed to 2.100.

its all about presicion.

joe from mexico