178 Amax .308 @ mag length

[308Dude]

I'm wondering about how the .308 178 Amax performs out to 1000 yds when loaded to between 2.820 to 2.850"? My Remington 700 mag measures 2.850" ID.

I've read elsewhere here that the Amax likes to be loaded long.

What velocity are you using?

 

[Rob01]

Re: 178 Amax .308 @ mag length

Getting about 2700fps from my 20" Broughton barrel with the 178s being pushed by Varget. Mine are loaded about 2.835". Have run it to 1300 yards. The 178 is an excellent bullet in the .308.

 

[40x]

Re: 178 Amax .308 @ mag length

Rob how many gr of varget are you using in your 308 load?

 

[81sfo]

Re: 178 Amax .308 @ mag length

Id recommend to start at 43grns of Varget up to 44 grns same as the 175SMKS,check for pressure signs as you move up.

 

[Rob01]

Re: 178 Amax .308 @ mag length

Max listed load of 45grns but as 81 mentioned start around 43grns to be safe and work up watching for pressure. I use the 45grns in BH once fired brass and 44.2grns in Lapua brass to get the same velocities.

 

[308Dude]

Re: 178 Amax .308 @ mag length

Dan Newberry suggests the 1st OCW accuracy node is around 44.5 gr RL-15.

http://practicalrifler.6.forumer.com/a/308-168-amax-lc-lr-varget-load_post633.html

 

[Rob01]

Re: 178 Amax .308 @ mag length

We're talking about Varget, not RL15.

 

[308Dude]

Re: 178 Amax .308 @ mag length

Understood. Thanks.

 

[Wetworker]

Re: 178 Amax .308 @ mag length

+1 on Rob's load. I am using 44.4 gr Varget, lapua brass, COL 2.830 with 178 Amax's. Absolutely accurate and consistent past 1000 yds.

 

[308Dude]

Re: 178 Amax .308 @ mag length

I worked up some loads of RL-15 from 43-45 grains in Federal brass.

You can read the range report here.

 

[ReaperDriver]

Re: 178 Amax .308 @ mag length

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 308Dude</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Dan Newberry suggests the 1st OCW accuracy node is around 44.5 gr RL-15.

http://practicalrifler.6.forumer.com/a/308-168-amax-lc-lr-varget-load_post633.html </div></div>
Thanks for an informative link! I'm trying out the same powder and bullet combos as well. I've got RL-15, IMR-4895, TAC and IMR-4064 to try out with 175SMKs, 168 and 178 AMAXs. I've also got a bunch of old style #2155 Palma 155 SMKs to try out, but I was going to put them aside for now (at least until I saw Sako308s post on his recent effort today, damn him )

Anyone else with some good data using the above powder and bullet combos in a 20" bbl - keep the info coming!

eta: sorry for the ignorance - but what does "OCW" in this context stand for?

 

[308Dude]

Re: 178 Amax .308 @ mag length

OCW = optimal charge weight

http://optimalchargeweight.embarqspace.com/

I've done well with the old 155 Palma using 45.8-46.0 gr RL-15 in Federal case. 2.800 COAL. Approx 2850 fps. Good to 1000 yds

 

[ReaperDriver]

Re: 178 Amax .308 @ mag length

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 308Dude</div><div class="ubbcode-body">OCW = optimal charge weight

http://optimalchargeweight.embarqspace.com/

I've done well with the old 155 Palma using 45.8-46.0 gr RL-15 in Federal case. 2.800 COAL. Approx 2850 fps. Good to 1000 yds </div></div>
Thanks! I may have to go try out my 155s again and see what I can squeeze out of them.

 

[lordt313]

Re: 178 Amax .308 @ mag length

I have had great results with the 178's, I can consistently hold .75 MOA out to 600, at 1000 its about 1.9MOA. Mine are long too I have them set at 2.884 and get about 2750fps out of a stock 26" remy barrel. I use 43.9 RE-15 to get these results.

just my .02

-Taylor

 

[KHOOKS]

Re: 178 Amax .308 @ mag length

I load the 178 amax to 2.80 and use 44.5gr of rl-15 in Hornday match brass. I shoot a .5moa at 300 yards last match. I do shot them out to 1k at the hardrock matches just havn't learned wind reading well enough to keep the groups together at that distance. I seem to get my scores at the 600&800 yards and hope wind holds forthe 900&1k's

 

[308Dude]

Re: 178 Amax .308 @ mag length

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: lordt313</div><div class="ubbcode-body">... 26" remy barrel. I use 43.9 RE-15 to get these results.
</div></div>

That seems like a fast barrel. I tend to think my barrel is on the slow side. Happy with the accuracy though.

 

[JLM]

Re: 178 Amax .308 @ mag length

My question for everyone here: how much are you jumping?

Rob, I'm pretty sure you've said you are only jumping .005, but what about you other dudes?

 

[308Dude]

Re: 178 Amax .308 @ mag length

I build my cartridges for mag length at 2.830" COAL. That makes for approx 0.115" jump in my factory barrel.

 

[cinosbus]

Re: 178 Amax .308 @ mag length

I've shot just a few at 2.830ish over 43gr Varget in almost worn out LC brass. They shot pretty good so far, always less than an inch, some down to about 5/8" for 5shots @ 100yd - jury is still out for me due to lack of consistency. Checking ogives with a comparator made me doubt their QC compared to 175SMKs.

They're jumping OVER .170" for me.

YMMV

 

[JLM]

Re: 178 Amax .308 @ mag length

Funny that you mention checking them on a comparitor because I had Hornady replace a box for that exact reason. Inconsistent base to ogive distance.

 

[308Dude]

Re: 178 Amax .308 @ mag length

I weighed and measured a full box of 100.

100% were .700" +- 0.001 to ogive
99% were 177.9 gr +- 0.1

That is much better than SMK.