Hunting & Fishing 178gr. Amax for hunting

[SkinMan]

Hello all, just wondering if anybody has any experience using the amax bullets on deer sized game? I like the way they shoot out of my 300 win mag, but have never used for deer. If they are strictly a paper bullet, what bullet would you recommend for mule deer? I want a bullet that will perform out to 1000 yards if need be. Thanks for any input.

 

[KHOOKS]

Re: 178gr. Amax for hunting

I have heard a lot of good things on amax bullets for hunting. I havn't had the chance of find out myself. But from all the stuff I've heard and read here I built me a .308 load for comp's and hunting that really shoots.

Go for it I don't think you'll be unhappy.

 

[kyreloader]

Re: 178gr. Amax for hunting

I would use the Berger Hunting bullet of comparable weight.

 

[Sendero_Man]

Re: 178gr. Amax for hunting

I have used both, many times over. Both kill things dead. End of story.

 

[bohem]

Re: 178gr. Amax for hunting

They've killed everything that I've shot with them.

 

[SingleShot85]

Re: 178gr. Amax for hunting

80gr Amax does a fine job on deer out of my 22-250 hum'n at 3200fps.

I wouldn't hesitate

 

[curtistate]

Re: 178gr. Amax for hunting

I switched to the 162 amax because the 180 berger weren't opening up on a rib cage shot. They would die but they would run a ways first. I'm using a 7wsm. A shoulder shot worked good with a berger. I shot a coyote with the 162 amax and it blew a 4" hole in and out. I'll know in 3 weeks how well they work on deer.

 

[jrpilot]

Re: 178gr. Amax for hunting

I have been using the 7MM 162 Amax for a while now. I have shot deer, pigs, and elk with the bullet. The MV is 2889fps. They have all drops where they stood.

 

[Ghogs Nightmare]

Re: 178gr. Amax for hunting

Here's the entry from a 168amax...if you want more i can find'm an load'm on.
.
Delivered ala 30 06 and 4831sc.

.
Note the shot was on a downward angle at apx 40 yards. Exited on the underside after taking out near side lung and chunk o heart. Heres a few more photos to give a better idea, when he ran by (total distance after shot was maybe 50 yards) it looked like he was painted red on the side.
.

.

.

.
And the interior:

 

[ejg]

Re: 178gr. Amax for hunting

I alternate between 155 a-max with 44gr N140 and 165gr sst with 45gr varget in my 308 / 22". The a-max load is quite mild.
Both seem to behave very similar on sika deer. The a-max being not as explosive as some may think.
This bullet was retrieved from a hind shot just behind the front leg at 200yds. Animal dropped on the spot because the shot went an inch below the spine and upset it.

My big concern is that some bullets might not expand enough at extended ranges out of the slowish 308. In this case I shot a sika hind at 330m scraped the atlas joint. The bullet did certainly not overexpand. I wouldn't have wanted a tougher bullet in that case.

edi

 

[Stgood]

Re: 178gr. Amax for hunting

Thanks for the information I was at the range with this load yesterday getting ready for opening on Saturday. I have taken one doe last year with that round close distance and it did good but it was a short +/- 100 yards shot and she dropped in tracks.

 

[johngfoster]

Re: 178gr. Amax for hunting

Today I shot my first deer. Mule Deer doe at about 254yd. Initially I ranged her at 148yd, dialed 2MOA in my scope, then she moved. I still figured she was about the same range when I shot her, except when I checked with the Leica CRF 1200 it was 254yd. Made a one-shot DRT neck shot. I aimed for just behind/below her head, but because of the ranging error I hit just above the shoulder well in the neck. She didn't take one step. Bullet passed through. I was shooting my 308 put together by Randy Melvin in Billings (Bull Mountain Rifle Co.)

My load: MV = 2701 fps, 3/4 MOA (3" @ 400yd for 5 shots)
-178gr A-Max @ COAL 2.870" (barely fits in AICS mag)
-Varget 43.4gr
-CCI BR2
-FGMM once-fired brass

Pictures:
The happy couple

The exit wound

The exit wound after skinning

Digging around in the wound I found a few pieces of lead and bone chips, but no other pieces of jacket. The bullet did what it was intended to do--kill quickly and humanely. Obviously bullet placement is key.

Lessons learned:
1. Pay more attention to my rangefinder and memorize my drop table.
2. Don't shoot further than you are willing to retrieve your animal. Hauling out a carcas like this is tough work. Also gut/clean the animal where it falls. It's much easier to drag a lighter/gutted deer than an intact one.
3. Bullet worked well. Will try it in the boiler room when the opportunity presents and see how it performs there.