280 SHERMAN/162 A-MAX vs BEAR

[elkaholic]

I hate to reopen a dead thread, but was just wondering. How would yall say the 162 A-Max compares to the 168gr Berger Hybrid as far as BC and terminal performance? Also, has anyone ever used the 6.5mm 140gr A-Max on game? How did it fair? What about the 6mm 105gr A-Max?

Thanks

The Berger has a little higher b.c. and takes a little more velocity to open than the A-Max. A-Max is probably a little more predictable. The A-max, as described above, is a good game bullet at longer ranges especially on deer sized game, but is quite explosive under 300 yards. No experience with the 105's.........Rich

 

[barnesuser28]

I am going to try sectioning a 162 grain A-Max this weekend, and take a few jacket measurements. This will be my primary bullet in my 284 Win once its done.

 

[elkaholic]

Some real world data on the 140 A-Max. My buddy borrowed my 6.5 Sherman this year and he and his dad shot two white tails, both bedded at over 300 yards. Deer #1 was shot at the base of the skull and the bullet exited out of his mouth. Not pretty! Deer #2 was shot below the ear hole and the bullet exited below the opposite ear hole. It left a 50 cent sized hole. Obviously, neither deer moved.........Rich

 

[elkaholic]

I am going to try sectioning a 162 grain A-Max this weekend, and take a few jacket measurements. This will be my primary bullet in my 284 Win once its done.

Approx. .014" at the mouth and .020"+ at the base.............Rich

 

[barnesuser28]

Approx. .014" at the mouth and .020"+ at the base.............Rich

You saved my dads finger tips from the band saw.. i am going to make him cut it anyway. One question, were they trying to shoot the deer in the head?

 

[WildRose]

I am going to try sectioning a 162 grain A-Max this weekend, and take a few jacket measurements. This will be my primary bullet in my 284 Win once its done.

There are a lot better choices than the Amax. Amongst them are the Sirocco, Hornady Interbond and Interlock, and the Nosler Accubond.

Jacket thickness is but one factor, the metallurgy of the jacket is another very important factor.

One thing I've learned piling up hundreds of bodies over the years is that over expansion can create just as many if not more problems than under expansion not the least of which is a tremendous amount of wasted meat.

 

[barnesuser28]

There are a lot better choices than the Amax. Amongst them are the Sirocco, Hornady Interbond and Interlock, and the Nosler Accubond.

Jacket thickness is but one factor, the metallurgy of the jacket is another very important factor.

One thing I've learned piling up hundreds of bodies over the years is that over expansion can create just as many if not more problems than under expansion not the least of which is a tremendous amount of wasted meat.

A couple reasons why i chose they A-Max.

1. I will be starting them out at a modest speed of around 2800 fps so i dont think over expansion will be a huge problem at somewhat close range.

2. I am going to try to stay away from the shoulder so again over expansion shouldnt be too bad.

3. Since they are not starting out very fast to get me out to 1000 yards on game i need the high BC and their ability to expand at very low velocties. (around 1400 fps in goats according to some fellow in New Zealand)

4. They will be used only on 200 LBS and smaller deer and antelope, along with coyotes, badgers, prarie dogs, rocks, etc.... Anything bigger than a 200 lbs mule deer i will use the 168 grain Barnes LRX. And will limit the LRX to 600 yards on elk, we have a 338 Lapua for the longer range elk work.

 

[elkaholic]

You saved my dads finger tips from the band saw.. i am going to make him cut it anyway. One question, were they trying to shoot the deer in the head?

ya, they were bedded and that is all they could see........Rich

 

[timmay]

A couple reasons why i chose they A-Max.

1. I will be starting them out at a modest speed of around 2800 fps so i dont think over expansion will be a huge problem at somewhat close range.

2. I am going to try to stay away from the shoulder so again over expansion shouldnt be too bad.

3. Since they are not starting out very fast to get me out to 1000 yards on game i need the high BC and their ability to expand at very low velocties. (around 1400 fps in goats according to some fellow in New Zealand)

4. They will be used only on 200 LBS and smaller deer and antelope, along with coyotes, badgers, prarie dogs, rocks, etc.... Anything bigger than a 200 lbs mule deer i will use the 168 grain Barnes LRX. And will limit the LRX to 600 yards on elk, we have a 338 Lapua for the longer range elk work.

This is the same logic I use. Soft or easy expanding/fragmenting high bc bullets for long range (Amax, berger etc), more stout bullets for "normal" hunting distances

 

[J.G.W]

250lbs is a really big red deer.

250lbs would be a really big hind, a mature wild stag will weigh around 350lbs. A massive stag grown behind wire will top 500lbs.

 

[WildRose]

250lbs would be a really big hind, a mature wild stag will weigh around 350lbs. A massive stag grown behind wire will top 500lbs.

Yeah, I don't know where my fingers were going on that one. My mind was thinking of the stag at 450lbs, but my fingers went to 250.

I had a friend's ranch get inundated with red deer back in the 90's when 2 high fenced places that adjoined them went bankrupt and they lost their water gaps during a flood.

We spent several months just piling them up as part of a wildlife science project when I was working on my masters and had really good data on all of them. I realize those might not be representative of all of them world wide but my understanding has always been that 450 was getting way up there for the species.

 

[J.G.W]

Yeah, I don't know where my fingers were going on that one. My mind was thinking of the stag at 450lbs, but my fingers went to 250.

I had a friend's ranch get inundated with red deer back in the 90's when 2 high fenced places that adjoined them went bankrupt and they lost their water gaps during a flood.

We spent several months just piling them up as part of a wildlife science project when I was working on my masters and had really good data on all of them. I realize those might not be representative of all of them world wide but my understanding has always been that 450 was getting way up there for the species.

And you'd be dead right. No red deer born free range would go past 350, not here in Australia anyway, maybe in NZ???. I've seen some monsters behind wire but to get one over that 450 mark would have to be an exception. 4th largest deer behind Moose, Elk and Sambar. Not a very good photo and nothing really to gauge off but this is a big stag.

 

[WildRose]

And you'd be dead right. No red deer born free range would go past 350, not here in Australia anyway, maybe in NZ???. I've seen some monsters behind wire but to get one over that 450 mark would have to be an exception. 4th largest deer behind Moose, Elk and Sambar. Not a very good photo and nothing really to gauge off but this is a big stag.

I've seen some huge Red Deer in both NZ and Argentina but I have no idea what they'd weigh, never thought to ask.

One of these days I want to load up Mario and the Kids and take a trip to Argentina. He's fairly good company and after living in south Texas for a few years he'll be a qualified translator! HA!

 

[marioq]

I've seen some huge Red Deer in both NZ and Argentina but I have no idea what they'd weigh, never thought to ask.

One of these days I want to load up Mario and the Kids and take a trip to Argentina. He's fairly good company and after living in south Texas for a few years he'll be a qualified translator! HA!

Shoot. The more I drink the better I speak spanish!!!

At least in my mind!!!! Hahahhshs