18 replies to this topic

[Desert Fox]

This is the heaviest bullet I've tried on my 308 Win Tactical rifle. I thought the 12 twist is not enough to stabilize the 178 A-Max. Boy, was I surprised. I've tried two different powder that I had on hand. I loaded 5 each using Varget starting from 39.5, 40.0, 40.5, and 41. BLC-2 at 40.0, 40.5 and 41.0 respectively.

I set-up the sky screen of my chronograph only to find out that I left the module at home . I hate when that happen. I'm glad there's another fellow member shooting besides me that brought a chrono. He let me fire two rounds thru' it.

Here's my result: These are all 3 shot group unless noted.



I also re-installed the 338 Lapua Improved barrel on my SSG rifle and shoot it a couple of times just to zeroed it for the upcoming 1000 yard shoot next month. For his trouble, I let the gentleman that has the chronograph shoot the 338. I handed him 3 rounds but he elected to shoot only 2 rounds. He is a retired Air Force Vietnam Vet. To my surprised the 2 bullet went into the same hole. He shot at the upper left target.

[Bennie]

Very nice groups. Congrats.

[Desert Fox]

The 308 load is settled for the upcoming shoot at the end of the month.

178 grain Hornady A-Max
IMI Match Brass
Federal 210M Primer
41 grains Hodgdon Varget
COAL: 2.790
Velocity: 2604 FPS

Here's the10 shot group @ 110 yards from this morning shoot

[lif2fsh]

nice very nice. Is Varget sensitive to temp?

[Rimrock]

[Desert Fox]

nice very nice. Is Varget sensitive to temp?

Not at all.

Varget, is one of the powder on Hodgdon Extreme line up.

[ehd]

Very nice shooting!

[OrneryOlMofo357]

Great Groups!

[Kephers]

great groups. There is a 1000 yard shoot coming up? Where at?

[Desert Fox]

Thanks Guys.

On paper, the 178 grain A-Max looks really good up to 1K

[KClark]

Really great groups, looks like you've done your homework and have some experience yanking the trigger while holding your mouth just right.

What's the specs on your .308 rifle?

[Kephers]

They seem to have stabilized pretty well at 100 yards. Have you tried them farther?

To test for stability and such?

[HOG]

very nice groups!

[ratassassin]

Nice. My .308 loves the A-Max 168 grain but I haven't tried the 178's. Need to give them a try. How long is your barrel?

[Desert Fox]

My barrel is 25" MTU contour. The 178 A-Max is a better bullet for long range work. I will give it a try at 1K next January for our 2013 season opener.

[Kephers]

I wanna see that. I have yet to shoot to 1000 yards. I shot 500 as the farthest when I was in the Marine Corps with the M16. Never tried shooting 1k, I'm pretty interested in giving that a shot though. Should be awesome and challenging.

[Desert Fox]

Really great groups, looks like you've done your homework and have some experience yanking the trigger while holding your mouth just right.

What's the specs on your .308 rifle?

Remington 700
Pac-Nor Super Match 3 grove 1-12 twist
Accuracy International Chassis System
Tubbs Over sized recoil lug
Leupold MK IV 20 MOA canted base
40X trigger
IOR Valdada 3.5X18X42 MP-8 Reticle
Angle Cosine Indicator
Smithed by Jim Gruning (Gruning Precision)

[Desert Fox]

They seem to have stabilized pretty well at 100 yards. Have you tried them farther?

To test for stability and such?

Yes, at last weekend match.

[ehd]

i like the dog as much as the rifle!