.308 + A-Max

[alloutsmith3]

I'm currently shooting this factory ammo from Hornady: Hornady Manufacturing Company :: Ammunition :: Rifle :: Choose by Caliber :: 308 Win :: 308 Win 168 gr A-MAX® Superformance® Match™ . It shoots great but was wondering how much performance I could pick up if I would start handloading with the 178gr and 208gr A-Maxes if the accuracy was on par with the 168's. Thanks

 

[WildRose]

I'm currently shooting this factory ammo from Hornady: Hornady Manufacturing Company :: Ammunition :: Rifle :: Choose by Caliber :: 308 Win :: 308 Win 168 gr A-MAX® Superformance® Match™ . It shoots great but was wondering how much performance I could pick up if I would start handloading with the 178gr and 208gr A-Maxes if the accuracy was on par with the 168's. Thanks

The accuracy should be good if your rifle likes the heavier bullets, some will, some won't.

You will however be giving up a considerable amount of velocity in exchange for the heavier bullets.

 

[liltank]

I'm currently shooting this factory ammo from Hornady: Hornady Manufacturing Company :: Ammunition :: Rifle :: Choose by Caliber :: 308 Win :: 308 Win 168 gr A-MAX® Superformance® Match™ . It shoots great but was wondering how much performance I could pick up if I would start handloading with the 178gr and 208gr A-Maxes if the accuracy was on par with the 168's. Thanks

I haven't used the 178 a-max in awhile, but my .308 w/ a 1:12 twist loves the 178 BTHP. They should work fine in either weight.

Tank

 

[alloutsmith3]

Thanks guys. I'm shooting a Savage .308 10FP with a 1:10 twist in a 22" barrel. I'm really wanting to throw some heavy bullets like the 208 down range. I have a friend that can reload for me until I get my own setup if its gonna be worth it to reload the 208's. What recommendations as far as loads can you make for the 208's.

 

[liltank]

Thanks guys. I'm shooting a Savage .308 10FP with a 1:10 twist in a 22" barrel. I'm really wanting to throw some heavy bullets like the 208 down range. I have a friend that can reload for me until I get my own setup if its gonna be worth it to reload the 208's. What recommendations as far as loads can you make for the 208's.

I would try RL17 with CCI200/BR2, or Federal 210/210M primers in Winchester brass. Winchester brass has the most capacity and will handle the heavier charges. I would start at about 44grn and work your way up. Look for pressure signs.

Tank

 

[WildRose]

Thanks guys. I'm shooting a Savage .308 10FP with a 1:10 twist in a 22" barrel. I'm really wanting to throw some heavy bullets like the 208 down range. I have a friend that can reload for me until I get my own setup if its gonna be worth it to reload the 208's. What recommendations as far as loads can you make for the 208's.

With that 10 twist the heavier bullets should shoot very well for you.

Keep in mind though that while the A Max is a great target/varmint bullet Hornady expressly states it's not intended as a hunting bullet.

It has a very thin Jacket and shells out instantly if it hits anything hard.

It will certainly kill, but it will also make a hell of a mess on the way out if it does pass through.

The Interlock and Interbond are much better choices for hunting bullets.

 

[CentreHit]

Yep, just conducted some load development with the Hornady A-Max 208Gr this past weekend, I'm very impressed with what initial results I obtained in my Savage 10FP 1:10 twist.

Load: 208Gr A-Max, 40.5 Gr 2208 (Varget for you guys) = 0.221 MOA at 100M, 5 shot grouping!

I'm stoked

Thanks guys. I'm shooting a Savage .308 10FP with a 1:10 twist in a 22" barrel. I'm really wanting to throw some heavy bullets like the 208 down range. I have a friend that can reload for me until I get my own setup if its gonna be worth it to reload the 208's. What recommendations as far as loads can you make for the 208's.

 

[liltank]

Yep, just conducted some load development with the Hornady A-Max 208Gr this past weekend, I'm very impressed with what initial results I obtained in my Savage 10FP 1:10 twist.

Load: 208Gr A-Max, 40.5 Gr 2208 (Varget for you guys) = 0.221 MOA at 100M, 5 shot grouping!

I'm stoked

What was your velocity out of curiosity?

Tank

 

[Capt Kurt]

The 308 is inherently the most accurate rd of the 30 cal family if properly loaded. The 308 was not intended to shoot bullets above 178 gr. as one post noted, performance will drop off dramaically at longer range. Due to the length of a 200+ gr bullet, case capacity will be greatly reduced especially if you use a detachable mag where you are limited on O.A.L. The bullets above 178gr are a better choice for the long action rifles 30-06, 300win mag where case capacity is greater to maintain higher velocities and knock down power. Your reloading manual will show this. This is why the Military, Law Enforcement & Competition shooters stay with the 155-178gr bullets. Also remember, the best barrel length choice for the 308 is 24"-26" unless you are shooting Palma Class Competition. Shorter barrels will loose approximately 50 fps for every inch under this size. You can test this with a Chrono-graf. Your best all around choice is the 168gr

 

[Good]

A friend shoots 48.4g R17 under 208s at 3.050" COAL single fed at 2600fps in a factory Remington 700 varmint model with 26", 1:12 twist tube. It has produced 1/4" groups, or .635 centimeters for you down under folks , but consistently shoots .62 MOA at all distances with him on the gun, sometimes better, never worse out to 1k. It's pretty hard to argue with, other than single feeding.

 

[The Surgeon]

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[The Surgeon]

A friend shoots 48.4g R17 under 208s at 3.050" COAL single fed at 2600fps in a factory Remington 700 varmint model with 26", 1:12 twist tube. It has produced 1/4" groups, or .635 centimeters for you down under folks , but consistently shoots .62 MOA at all distances with him on the gun, sometimes better, never worse out to 1k. It's pretty hard to argue with, other than single feeding.

Not to hijack the thread or anything like that, but 208 gr bullet with .62 MOA at a grand out of a stock Remington with a 1:12 twist? Ok.

 

[CentreHit]

As I was conducting a ladder test in the late afternoon, my chronograph didn't record the velocity for that particular group due to ambient light was too low - but it did record the previous group using 39.5 grains of powder and that velocity averaged = 2341 F.P.S.

So, I'd assume based on the previous results of the ladder, that the 40.5 grain velocity would be in the vicinity of 2410 F.P.S. range.

I'm going to conduct the same test again to verify these results and see what I can get with two loads higher - bearing in mind the pressure will be getting up there and I do not wish to go for a compressed load.

What was your velocity out of curiosity?

Tank

 

[The Surgeon]

As I was conducting a ladder test in the late afternoon, my chronograph didn't record the velocity for that particular group due to ambient light was too low - but it did record the previous group using 39.5 grains of powder and that velocity averaged = 2341 F.P.S.

So, I'd assume based on the previous results of the ladder, that the 40.5 grain velocity would be in the vicinity of 2410 F.P.S. range.

I'm going to conduct the same test again to verify these results and see what I can get with two loads higher - bearing in mind the pressure will be getting up there and I do not wish to go for a compressed load.

Everything I have read about this load, is that it post some really nice groups! I am interested to follow your findings. The reports I have read, they are running up to 44.0 gr safely and getting close to 2500fps.

I have even seen some going as high as 50.gr of the RL-17 and getting up to 2800fps. They report no ill effects either. Of course this is hear say.