Loading 208gr AMAX in .308

[Younggun]

I wasn't thinkin when I ordered some bullets and got 208gr instead of the 178gr or whatever it is.

Decided I'd give them a shot. Little research showed the most who use them are BR shooters trying to push .308 to the limit in custom guns. Loading COAL to 3" and pushing them out up to 2700FPS. No way in hell I can safely hit those velocities.

Book calls for 2.82" COL, I can load out to 2.950 and still fit the mag (cause savage is awesome like that) and measured from the ogive I'll be further from the lands than I am with my 175gr SMK loads. 2.280 vs 2.328. Seems like this bullet will have a hell of a jump to the lands.

Hopefully the longer seating depth will let me get a little more velocity with out running in to pressure issues. Max load at Hodgdon recommended COL is 41gr compressed.

Will put together a couple different loads tomorrow and see how they group and if it will be worth the effort. Will need to be accurate at or near max loads to be worth screwing with at all.

 

[orbitup]

Tag

 

[Younggun]

DON'T TOUCH ME!

 

[dee]

You're farther away from the lands because the Amax is a secant profile ogive verses the tangent profile the Matchking has.

 

[Younggun]

Yeah, just didn't expect it to be that far back.

 

[dee]

The good thing is that the Amax is pretty good about having a jump versus other secant or vld bullets.

 

[Younggun]

I'm thinking if I can accurately push it over 2350fps I may work with it. 2450 would be great but I'm not too optimistic from an 18" barrel. Nice to have some new territory to play in.

 

[dee]

What do the sources (book or Hodgdon) say for velocity. In 308 based rounds 24-25fps loss per inch is pretty typical.

 

[1slow01Z71]

If you had a 24"+ barrel I think you might have a chance but that 18 is going to be too slow to make up the speed difference. Ive got some 178s Ill trade you if youd really prefer them. Ive got plenty but figured Id offer.

What does intrigue me is running an 8 twist 14.5" barrel and these. Litz's new book has some interesting stuff about making up for velocity with BC and rpm. A buddy up mine is running a 16" with 210 bergers with good results.

 

[Younggun]

What do the sources (book or Hodgdon) say for velocity. In 308 based rounds 24-25fps loss per inch is pretty typical.

Only source I have is Hodgdon. Max velocities fall around the 2450fps mark. From past experience with this rifle I figure that would put me around 2350, might be able to cheat it a little higher with the longer AOL.

 

[Younggun]

If you had a 24"+ barrel I think you might have a chance but that 18 is going to be too slow to make up the speed difference. Ive got some 178s Ill trade you if youd really prefer them. Ive got plenty but figured Id offer.

What does intrigue me is running an 8 twist 14.5" barrel and these. Litz's new book has some interesting stuff about making up for velocity with BC and rpm. A buddy up mine is running a 16" with 210 bergers with good results.

Pretty sure the 178s would serve my purpose better. Would have to ship everything so not sure if it would be worth the hassle.

 

[1slow01Z71]

I could throw them in the box with the 50 brass...

 

[Dawico]

Run the gun as a single shot if the accuracy is better.

I find that loading one at a time slows me down and helps me shoot better anyways.

Go with what shoots better. A single shot isn't very tactical though........

 

[Younggun]

Hmm, that would be interesting.

Still don't know if it would give me enough case capacity to overcome the barrel length. Those I found really taking advantage of the bullet were running well over SAMMI pressure and reaching 2700fps in custom built guns.

 

[1slow01Z71]

The bench guys youre talking abouy were probably running the 30" truck axle barrels. With your 18 you just dont have enough pipe to get rhe velocity. Hell I only get 2700 with 178s out of my 24 with a slightly warm load of 44gr varget at 2.83.

 

[Younggun]

The bench guys youre talking abouy were probably running the 30" truck axle barrels. With your 18 you just dont have enough pipe to get rhe velocity. Hell I only get 2700 with 178s out of my 24 with a slightly warm load of 44gr varget at 2.83.

Yeah, I expect to be in the 2350fps range.

 

[dee]

Only source I have is Hodgdon. Max velocities fall around the 2450fps mark. From past experience with this rifle I figure that would put me around 2350, might be able to cheat it a little higher with the longer AOL.

I'll get a pic of the Hornady data for you later today.

 

[Younggun]

Thanks

 

[1slow01Z71]

Just my personal opinion but the hornady data is practically useless. Very conservative. I believe the recipe for 208s is with RL17 that most are having good luck with.

 

[dee]

It seems to really vary by caliber. A lot say the same about sierra and I find it's the same way. One round or bullet for that matter is or seems low while others are warm.