208 AMAX .300WSM Groups

[ZSteinle]

Just got done working up some a couple of good loads for the 208 Amax
Both shot out of my Win Model 70 @100yrds
1.
61gr H4350
Win Brass
CCI 250
3.05 COAL

2.
64gr H4831sc
Win Brass
CCI 250
2.95 COAL

Still working on them but I think 208 AMAXS are going to be a nice long range bullet.

 

[Michael Eichele]

Good job. I am glad to see I am not the only one having good success with the 208. I have shot quite a few groups with two different powders and they all group well and a couple charges group very well. I think it is the bullet my rifle likes best.

 

[comfisherman]

I have been having good luck with the amax's out of my 300 wsm as far as accuracy, but out of my 26 inch barrel they just are really lacking as far as Velocity oomph. I know velocity isn't everything but the same rifle pumps 150 b-tips at 3350 for some reason and upon punching the numbers they are the better bet.

My pet load is 60.1 of Imr 4350. But I'm in the 2600 ish fps, I don't know what the actual group size was but five shot group was pretty impressive with nary a flier.

Meichele I think your on the right track smacking them out of an ultra mag at a high velocity. I would like to get a 30in barrel in 300 ultra and see how fast I can pump them. I think for blacktail and caribou they would be perfect, maybe a little light skinned for moose and elk.

 

[Michael Eichele]

I agree about them being too frail for moose and close up elk, although I think for elk at longer ranges when the velocity calms down a bit I think they would be excellent so long as you kept them out of the shoulder. These will make spectacular deer and sheep and antelope loads though!

I am not pushing them that fast either. 2925 is all. But they are exceptionally accurate. I am getting groups at 300 yards in the 1" to 1.25" range. with 93.0 of H50BMG @ 2925 FPS.

I am still working on a elk/moose load with the 200 AB.

 

[blipelt]

what twist are you guys using?


Brent

 

[comfisherman]

Its a 26 inch barrel that is a 1 in 10 twist. I was hoping to duplicate what most guys are getting out of the berger 210's but I don't think I am anywhere close to what I have found published as far as velocity is concerned.

I purchased these right after there introduction, and hornady told me to use berger 210 data so I don't know what a max load is. I started a ladder at 60 and stopped at 60.1, the group was just so darn pretty to go much farther. My chrony was 2620 with a + or - 15fps for the 60.0 grains of H4350. And 2642 with +or- 8fps at 60.1.

I don't have any other bullets that get that great of extreme spread out of 4350 so thats probably where the accuracy comes from. I was really hoping for some more spectacular velocity results. For some reason this rifle smokes the nosler ballistic tips like they are greased lightning and I had high hopes for the a-maxes.

Zsteinle, did you exceed 61 grains of 4350 and what were the velocity results? I would guess a max load would be somewhere around 61.8 and 62 but have no way to confirm this.

I am really curious as to what kind of velocity you wsm guys are getting, mine seem on the slow side. With a start around 2600 I don't think I will ever reach 2800 which is where I would like to be.

For my personal limit of 600 yards (until I practice more) The a-maxes Drop 88 inches, and are pushed 48.5 by a 15mph breeze.

My 150's at 3340fps are 51.9 inches of drop and 34.2 of wind drift in a 15mph breeze at 600yds.

I was hoping some buddy would come out with the magic wsm load that smacked them out of the barrel faster but so far no luck.

 

[ZSteinle]

Fisherman,

I did go over 61gr of H4350, and started to experience some pressure signs like harder than normal bolt lift. I think that that's about max as far as the H4350.
I am going to do some more testing with the H4831SC. And as far as speed I haven't got a hold of a chronograph to test, but i would guess they are going to be similar to what you are having since I am also using a 26" barrel.

Going out tomorrow to test some more 210's...let you know

 

[ZSteinle]

No idea on what my speed is but if i put in .648 as BC on a ballistics program and i know for a fact at 1080 yards i was going up 28.75 MOA . With all the atmospheric conditions entered my velocity comes out around 2792. But who actually knows. my rough estimate on speed before i entered it all into a ballistics program was 2770. If i enter 2600 as MV then with 28.75 of MOA would mean a BC of over 1.0 and i dont see that being the case. That is the best way i have to estimate on my velocity.

 

[Michael Eichele]

what twist are you guys using?


Brent

Using 11.25x

 

[kiwi3006]

I am using 162 a-max in my 7 mm rem mag and am really impressed with their performance. If the 208 a-max is anything like it you will not be disappointed. The published BC seems spot on to.

I have shot 4 deer ranging from 358 to 638 yds and all have dropped on the spot! Three complete pass throughs on shoulder/chest shots.

One bullet did something strange though. It hit a lying down broadside deer at 383 yds. Hit just behind the right leg and took out several ribs, no exit wound at all. There was an area of bruising on the right hand side in front of the right rear leg. I didn't do a full autopsy (time was against me) but there was blood through the gut cavity.

The bullet appeared to enter the chest, hit the lungs and did a 90o bend through the guts before ending up in front of the right leg. I never found the projectile.

I have shot goats at 200 - 250 yds with spectacular results but would be wary of shooting a deer inside 300 yds with them.

Stu.

 

[Long Time Long Ranger]

Try the Magpro powder with the 208. It got the best accuracy/velocity combination in mine. I put the load under a reloading thread. I think it was 71.5 grains.

 

[blipelt]

Thanks for the info. I just picked up used(almost no marking on the bolt face, they claimed it kicked to hard) a 300wsm Submoa with 1:10 twist for $750 with a 3-9X50 Leupold VXII. From what I am reading I made a good choice. I didn't think I would be able to stabilize a 200gr. New trigger and stock and top off with an NXS and I have a new light carry gun.


Thanks for the info.


Brent

 

[ZSteinle]

i am shooting a 1:10 twist. I dont think you would have a problem stabilizing a 200 gr. bullet. Try the accubonds, usually pretty easy to get to shoot.

 

[blipelt]

thanks for the info I will give it a try


Brent