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162 Amax beyond 1000

coldboremiracle

coldboremiracle

Freelance Sharpshooter
Full Member
Minuteman
    • Jul 7, 2009
    5,254
    1,160
    Utah, north
    www.coldboremiracle.com
    How many of you have done this, and what were your impressions?

    I am beginning to work up a 7SAUM 24 inch 8.5 twist and have been considering the following; 162 Amax, 175SMK and 180 SMK.
    I know the 180 Hybrid is all the rage right now, and I havent eliminated it as an option, but for right now I'd like to stick to these choices and see what I can get done.

    I've seen many shooting 7's out to a mile or better, but Im curious whats been done with these bullets specifically.
     
    Re: 162 Amax beyond 1000

    I've made first round hits to 1330 using 162 amaxes out of a 7wsm at 2950fps. Shot it at 1700, but the wind killed me. I would also look at the 162 HPBT.
     
    Re: 162 Amax beyond 1000

    CBM,
    I shot the 162 Amax out of a 7stw, really liked the bullet and performance.
    I have 2 saum's, what I did with both was run the Berger 175xld till my throat was eroded, and switched to the 180 hybrid, it is an awesome bullet. The smk's don't seem to have the bc. The xld is a great bullet, but finicky as to seating depth's, and once the throat wears, it's over, right now.
    If it's price, John at Gunstop gets the 175xld down to 34.00 bucks on his email specials.
    I shoot a 24" gun also, works fine, a friend gets 2900fps out of a 22" brux with the 180. The other gun is getting the Dixon makeover right now, can't remember what I specified for barrel length.
    Sorry I can't help with the Sierra's, but I like your choice in the saum, it rocks!
     
    Re: 162 Amax beyond 1000

    I have several first round hits with the 162 A-max at 1000, 1025, 1080, 1125, 1175, and 1,240 and have hit on follow up shots in between those ranges.

    I am running a 7SAUM and pushing them at 3018 fps

    60grns 4831sc
    f210 primer
    Remmy brass
    2.830 OAL
    26 inch barrel

    The 162 A-Max is a very capable long range round and i moved away from the 180 hybrids (cost is too high for the amount i shoot) and now only shoot the 162s and very happy.

    no question the 180 is a far better long range bullet, but the 162 is no slouch and has proven to perform extremely well for me.
     
    Re: 162 Amax beyond 1000

    Hey Jeff, I am doning the same thing right now with the 7/300 wsm i just built. We ought to go out together.
     
    Re: 162 Amax beyond 1000

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Impulse</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hey Jeff, I am doning the same thing right now with the 7/300 wsm i just built. We ought to go out together. </div></div>Well, that sounds like a great idea. Whats your twist?
     
    Re: 162 Amax beyond 1000

    You should be able to get plenty of speed out of that!

    Ok, so it looks like so far people have used the 162 for 1000 to 1500 with some success, is it a good economical choice to shoot it at those ranges or would the 175-180 smk be a better choice?
     
    Re: 162 Amax beyond 1000

    The BC on the 162 A-max and 175SMK are about equal the 162 a-max edges it a little. So based on that you can run the 162 faster and still have the same benefits of the higher BC...

    I ma not sure about the 180s but I would assume they aren't rated much higher than the A-max.

    The 180 Bergers there is definitely an advantage to them becuase of the .674 BC of the hybrid bullet.
     
    Re: 162 Amax beyond 1000

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: coldboremiracle</div><div class="ubbcode-body">So the 162 with its higher BC would shoot better than the 175 because it can be launched faster, and that would stay the same even at extended ranges? (1000+) </div></div>

    the quicker an object gets to from point A-B the less the elements will affect it as it gets there, so thats where the speed advantage of the 162 comes in... it's a flatter round. The 162 having a higher BC means it will also stay stable for as long if not longer than the SMK...longer also because of the increased velocity.

    Run the two bullets on a ballistic caculator and where you see the velocity drop down around 1330FPS is where your bullet will become transonic and start to lose stability....look at how many yards each bullet will travel before becoming transonic. Run them both at 2950 since it is a very safe number with both and see which stays stable longer. Now as we know the BC gets lower as the bullets slow down but when using teh caculator teh BC never changes so although not 100% accurate as far as when a bullet will become transonic it will give you directiobally correct data on how the two compare.

    The simple answer is they will both do what you are looking for as long range bullets.
     
    Re: 162 Amax beyond 1000

    Both the 162 and 175 SMK will be good to 1,400-1,500yds.

    If you plan on shooting out to a mile often I would not shoot either the 162 or 175 and just go 180 Hybrid Berger they will get there.

    How far are you looking to shoot?

    Maybe you have yoru 1 mile load as 180s and anything inside 1500 you shoot the 162s 0r 175s this way it save you money on the Bergers but when you need them you can just pull them out.
     
    Re: 162 Amax beyond 1000

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: coldboremiracle</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Ya, I guess that could be done, but Im kind of a one load guy. Do you think the 180 smk would be a compromise? </div></div>

    I have not shot them yet but if the G1 BC of .660 and G7 of .319 is in fact accurate or close to the actual BCthan yes it would be a great comprimise since it has a much higher BC than teh 162 A-Max or the 175SMK.

    My guess is the true BC are lower which is typical of most bullets but SMKs for sure but still will be a better option for long range shooting than the other two.
     
    Re: 162 Amax beyond 1000

    I'm thinkin of calling midway and ordering 500 180 SMK's, But I'm still gonna try the 162's (since I have some) and see how they shoot. I may have to deviate from my one load theory.
     
    Re: 162 Amax beyond 1000

    No doubt the 180 Bergers have the best BC, but the 175SMK as mentioned is also a very good 7mm bullet. My friend is using a G7 of 0.327 as estimated by Litz, pretty much spot on out to 1500m. The 162 Amax is listed with a lower BC than the 175SMK in Litz's book, IIRC.

    The 175SMK also seems to pass through the transonic region with no problems, in case you really want to stretch it out.
     
    Re: 162 Amax beyond 1000

    I haven't shot my 7rsaum beyond 1000 yards yet with a 162 AMAX.I have some loaded up and plan on going to Blakely Ga. this month for their steel plate shoot. They have 2200 yards on this range. After the shoot on the 23rd of this month they are going to rotate it where they have more room, 600 more acres to be exact. They are going to do this for the bigger calbers such as the .338 Lapua's and the 50 BMG's, it will give them more buffer zone.
     
    Re: 162 Amax beyond 1000

    My father shoots a 7mm RM. I am looking for some info also. Tag cor later.
     
    Re: 162 Amax beyond 1000

    The new 195gr Berger will be a great 7mm 1 mile bullet when it finaly gets released.!
     
    Re: 162 Amax beyond 1000

    well i got out to shoot my 7/300 wsm last weekend. WOW is all i can say. The 162 is going 3200 ish according to shooter and dope. It is a laser.
    Load is 67.5 gr H1000. I should also mention that this is in a long action and is seated very long. I will get coal and post later. Needles to say i was very impressed. Cant wait to smack a deer with it. Nice big roch chuck would be fun too.
     
    Re: 162 Amax beyond 1000

    CBM,
    I shoot a 280 AI..
    I have shot the Amax and the 180 SMK. My experience is the 180SMK is the better choice for extended ranges. In my rifle the 180's have been much more consistent past 1000. I have switched to the 180SMK for all my shooting with the 280.
    I am shooting them in the 2900+ range.
     
    Re: 162 Amax beyond 1000

    Shot today ringing steel at 1200yds in 20mph cross winds at Three Points, Wholy Monsoons 284Win 162 Amax's are sweeeeet
     
    Re: 162 Amax beyond 1000

    I've had outstanding results with the 162. I prefer it over the 168 for the simple fact that there isn't a ton of difference between the two, the 162 is a better cross over bullet, it cost less, and it just looks sexy!
     
    Re: 162 Amax beyond 1000

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Impulse</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Jeff. We are going to spirit ridge this weekend are u going? My pops will be shooting the 7 </div></div>

    Hmmmmmmmmm Phone call inbound.......
     
    Re: 162 Amax beyond 1000

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: coldboremiracle</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What kind of accuracy do you get with them? I'm really starting to think hard about the SMK, as I'm having trouble getting the 162's to shoot as tight as I'd like to see. </div></div>

    My 284 with 26" 1:9 5R Bartlein will NOT shoot the 162amax under ~1.5moa at any distance. Bummer.
     
    Re: 162 Amax beyond 1000

    well Im pretty sure I just haven't found the right load for this barrel yet, maybe its just a touchy one. FWIW the 175 SMK's I shot through it weren't anything to write home about either. I just want to make these 162's work, for my wallet's sake.
     
    Re: 162 Amax beyond 1000

    My 7-08 is the only gun that I've owned that doesn't love them. It will still shoot them .3-.5 MOA at 700 which is certainly respectable but the 168's in that rifle are ridiculously small at distance. It really has me chapped.
     
    Re: 162 Amax beyond 1000

    My 162amax attempts in my 284 (short action):

    On the lands to as far as .080" off, in .010" increments, with 49-54gr H4350 in .3gr increments, 53-58gr H4831sc in .3gr incs, and 49-52.5gr RE17 in .3gr incs.

    I got one single tight 5-shot group with 54gr H4350 @ .070" off, but could not repeat it.

    175smk groups nice with about any charge of H4350, but is best with 52.7.

    168VLD is 1/4 - 3/8 moa with 53.5gr H4350 .055" off, and goes 2925fps. It's a keeper.

    ETA: Before anyone asks, no, I didn't try a 5 shot group of each permutation listed above - but I did load them all. I'd quit as soon as the "grouping" exceeded 3/4moa, which was usually the first 2 shots. Still, I put a lot of fuggin rounds through the barrel trying to find a workable load with 162amax. Even tried a but wuth the 162hpbt - it seemed to act exactly like the amax. I realky, really, really wanted the 162s to work.
     
    Re: 162 Amax beyond 1000

    Oh yeah: my buddys 284 shoots lights out with the 162 with any charge and any COAL in his obermeyer barreled 284.
     
    Re: 162 Amax beyond 1000

    Turbo did you try any Berger 180s? Dont know why you would based on those good results but just wondering.
     
    Re: 162 Amax beyond 1000

    Well, I'm gonna try some more stuff; the RL-19 had proved some better(more consistent) groups, but Im not convinced it is the best this rifle will shoot. So my next trip, Im going to try 162,175,180's all with a charge of RL-22 and H4831SC to see if something better shows up. Then I'll start messing around with the seating depth.(hopefully that wont be necessary).

    I have to say, I'm just a wee bit irritated, I've shot many high end rifles and been a part in the loading of even more. This is the first one that doesn't seem to just shoot everything I throw at it well. My DTA factory barrel doesn't seem to care what bullet or charge I use, it just shoots them well. This one sure seems finicky. The worst part is, I can picture my barrel life gauge slowly ticking away as I piss away money trying to find a good load.

    Help!!
    cry.gif
     
    Re: 162 Amax beyond 1000

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: coldboremiracle</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have to say, I'm just a wee bit irritated, I've shot many high end rifles and been a part in the loading of even more. This is the first one that doesn't seem to just shoot everything I throw at it well. My DTA factory barrel doesn't seem to care what bullet or charge I use, it just shoots them well. This one sure seems finicky. The worst part is, I can picture my barrel life gauge slowly ticking away as I piss away money trying to find a good load.

    Help!!
    cry.gif
    </div></div>

    I can totally relate! My 284 has been finicky as well. It has 350 rounds down the pipe already, almost all of which has been load development.
     
    Re: 162 Amax beyond 1000

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KYpatriot</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Turbo did you try any Berger 180s? Dont know why you would based on those good results but just wondering. </div></div>

    Nope, sure haven't. I can only propel the 180smk to 2750, so I assume I'd get very similar from the hybrid. 168@2925 vs 180@2750 comparison shows the 168 is a fair bit flatter to ~1150-1200, with equal wind. After that, the 180 takes over - but not by a lot. For my purposes, I think the 168 is a better fit.

    However, the 162@2980 hangs right with the 162, at only 65% the price. Really, really wish my barrel liked them.
     
    Re: 162 Amax beyond 1000

    I'm gonna give the 162 another whirl tomorrow with Accurate MagPro, just to try something totally different. I'm not expecting much, but what the hell.

    ...it is a FINE powder - might just be the pixie dust I need...
     
    Re: 162 Amax beyond 1000

    FWIW I shoot a 7SAUM AI and use the 180SMK's. I am pushing them at 3100fps. During load development I was doing a ladder test and grouping was horrible until it got over 3000fps. I ended up having two nodes, one at 3050 and one at 3100. Between 3074fps and 3100 I had a node at 300 yards that measured half inch. I didnt bother trying anything else I loaded up the load for 3100 and stuck with it. I havent had it past 1200 yet but its done everything I could ask for. It maybe due to the AI but it didnt like anything at lower speeds. It would have been pushing it to find anything half minuite until it hit the 3000fps. Its probably due to the larger case capacity but I have been tracking right on with shooter using a G1 BC of 660 and 3100fps velocity from a Ohler 35p
     
    Re: 162 Amax beyond 1000

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: coldboremiracle</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What kind of accuracy do you get with them? I'm really starting to think hard about the SMK, as I'm having trouble getting the 162's to shoot as tight as I'd like to see.</div></div>

    The 180 SMK are shooting .5 moa elevation or better to 1500...furthest I have put them on a measurable target.

    Note: I too wanted the Amax to work. I went through 200 of them trying to find something that would work... I didn't change powders, but I changed all other components and varied seating depth from .01 in to .06 off. All my testing was at 300 and 500.
    For the hell of it, I may give them another try later this summer, I have a few left.

    Hope you find something that works..
     
    Re: 162 Amax beyond 1000

    Our club has a mile shoot a few times a year. If I'm not mistaken the 162s perform well. Couldn't see the impacts as well as the .50s and .338s until they installed a remote camera. Now scoring impacts on the steel is no problem. In fact I think they have moves out beyond 2000yds.
     
    Re: 162 Amax beyond 1000

    Ringing steel:

    Do you have any info on the remote camera that was used?
    I am going to be shooting the 162 Amax to 2000 yards this week and it is not easy spotting impacts at that distance or even being sure of the impacts on steel since we often shoot with fairly heavy mirage
     
    Re: 162 Amax beyond 1000

    Ok, so now I have a whole new problem, but its a good problem to have.
    I shot some 162's today, and found a load that shoot s great (would be a one hole type if I could quit jitterin') The down side is I also found a similarly awesome load for both the 175 smk and 180 smk.All three loads are around 3000FPS.
    So now I have to choose; go cheap and accurate with the 162, or spend a little more coin and get the 180's and hammer the living shit out of every thing I point it at.........


    Its a problem, but a good one to have.
     
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