.308 : Sierra 175 HPBT versus Hornady 178 AMAX

[MrOneEyedBoh]

Im going to get into reloading and I have been scouring the forums reading and doing more reading. Ive come to love the 175 sierra HPBT that FGMM uses. But from reading, people are going more towards the 178 AMAX from Hornady.

Does the AMAX perform THAT much better in terms of people raving about it? Or is it more of a band wagon? I shot my rifle to 1061 yards and I was hitting 12x20 plates no problem. Super accurate, no, as this was my first time over 300 yards, but I did hit it...

What Im wondering is, if and when I get into reloading, should I too make the transfer over to AMAX? Im iffy about it because I know the Sierras shoot great ( or so I can tell ) out of my bbl, but if the AMAX is that much better why not? It just sucks that I would have to get all new dope now. And I dont have access daily to the 1061 yd range.

Sure I can buy a 100 pack of AMAX and Sierra's, load up and test. And that might be the best bet before dumping all the money into one brand of bullets.

Does the AMAX dope differ that much from the Sierra's? I see that the BC looks better, but I havent checked the Litz BC yet.

 

[Rob01]

Re: .308 : Sierra 175 HPBT versus Hornady 178 AMAX

The amax and smk bc is a push. Basically the same. The amax meplat stays more consistant with the polymer tip.

If you want a better Bc in that weight range look at the 178 bthp with the .530 Bc. Also the meplats are more consistent than the smk. Hornady also loads this bullet in a factory offering.

Just wait though as I am sure scoutsout will be here soon with the same thing he has posted over and over the past few days lol

 

[MrOneEyedBoh]

Re: .308 : Sierra 175 HPBT versus Hornady 178 AMAX

Thanks man. I think I meant the Hornady BTHP, not the AMAX. I was reading multiple posts in several forums about people bashing Sierra, as their QC is SOOO bad now days.

So the 178 BTHP from hornady is where its at? Is that a G1 Bc?

 

[Deadshot2]

Re: .308 : Sierra 175 HPBT versus Hornady 178 AMAX

Rob01 has pretty much hit the major difference. The "Hollow Point" on bullets can be rather ragged and cause inconsistent OAL measurements unless one is using a comparator to measure finished rounds for uniformity. Along with consistent Bullet Length, as well as base to ogive measurement, the A-max also has a better overall finish/appearance which would lead one to believe it is more likely to be more stable in flight due the high spin rates. Compare the appearance of the boat-tail on an SMK to that of the A-max and they look like different bullets. The SMK looks more "primitive" when compared to the flat base. even angles, and measurement to the bearing surface of the A-Max.

All tests with my rifle (I usually try a box or two of 100 before I jump in by buying a couple thou of any bullet) show them to be almost a no brainer for longer distances. Consistency is everything when you pass 500 yards or so.

 

[Mike_in_FL]

Re: .308 : Sierra 175 HPBT versus Hornady 178 AMAX

I have used both in a 700. My rifle has a long throat but always shot the 168SMK well when seated to 2.8. The 175s don't work that well for me this way. Even if I seat them out with minimal jump they're just don't shoot as well as the AMAX.

Since the AMAX are more accurate in my rifle, and cheaper to boot, what do you think I'll shoot?

Now 20 years ago someone supposedly said you can give me Hornadys and I'll buy Sierras when referencing match bullets. I really don't care either way, I'll just buy what works NOW.

Oops, see you meant the BTHPs. Haven't tried them yet, but I do have some.

 

[MrOneEyedBoh]

Re: .308 : Sierra 175 HPBT versus Hornady 178 AMAX

Thanks. They do sell these in the store right rob? I"ll run a few boxes down the pipe and see whats what. How much difference will I expect say at 100 yards with my 175gr sierra FGMM dope?

 

[MrOneEyedBoh]

Re: .308 : Sierra 175 HPBT versus Hornady 178 AMAX

Also on the note of deformity of the Sierras. I seen that when I opened a few boxes.. I was like wtf lol this is match ammo? Why are the hollow points for lumpy looking? Bad QC? Mold issues? The Hornadys look solid... Im going to have to look into the hornadys more. Sounds too good to be true, and they are cheaper? isnt that BC of .500+ generous? Or is that true BC, if thats the case then damn its a big difference over Sierras.

 

[Rob01]

Re: .308 : Sierra 175 HPBT versus Hornady 178 AMAX

Yeah you can buy them in stores.

The .505 Bc is for over 2800fps which is above the. 308 range. .496 is what should be used for the 175 smk. The 178 amax Bc is. 495. The 178 bthp. 530 Bc was right on from my testing them at long range.

The Sierra tips are like that from the way they are made. Some trim the meplat which will uniform them but drop the Bc and some will point them which uniforms and raises the Bc slightly. I don't like to do anymore work than I need to though lol the amax keeps the Bc uniform with no work. Also if you look at the 178 bthp their tips are much more uniform than the smk.

 

[MrOneEyedBoh]

Re: .308 : Sierra 175 HPBT versus Hornady 178 AMAX

Yeah the hornadys look perfect.

 

[XTR]

Re: .308 : Sierra 175 HPBT versus Hornady 178 AMAX

I just ran 200 178BTHPs through my pointing die, the meplats look even better now.

 

[Triple D]

Re: .308 : Sierra 175 HPBT versus Hornady 178 AMAX

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MrOneEyedBoh</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks. They do sell these in the store right rob? I"ll run a few boxes down the pipe and see whats what. How much difference will I expect say at 100 yards with my 175gr sierra FGMM dope?</div></div>

At 100, you shouldn't see too much variation in up/down. Your point of impact may be slightly off, but you'll still be on paper.

 

[CrawDad338]

Re: .308 : Sierra 175 HPBT versus Hornady 178 AMAX

Litz G7s

Hornady 0.308" 178gr HPBT 0.257 <-----
Sierra 0.308" 175gr Matchking 0.243
Hornady 0.308" 178gr Amax 0.240

 

[Huckleberry75]

Re: .308 : Sierra 175 HPBT versus Hornady 178 AMAX

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CrawDad338</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Litz G7s

Hornady 0.308" 178gr HPBT 0.257 <-----
Sierra 0.308" 175gr Matchking 0.243
Hornady 0.308" 178gr Amax 0.240 </div></div>

Thx for sharing. Good info.

 

[BCP]

Re: .308 : Sierra 175 HPBT versus Hornady 178 AMAX

Most people are going AMAX > SMK for price reasons. They both shoot equally well but you can find the amax for less money.

If you can get a bulk deal on 175nosler custom comps that's a great option as well.

The best 308 bullets I've used for long range have been 178 hornady bthp, 208s if you can get them to shoot or the 185 scenar if you can afford it.