308 178gr a-max pet loads

[NCHillbilly]

I'm looking for any of you 308 shooters out there who might have a pet load for 178 gr a-max's.I'm gonna be launching these things out of a DPMS lr-308 with a 24 inch,1-10 twist barrel.If you have any chrono numbers,that would be even better.
I'm planning on using Lake City cases,CCI 34 primers,and would like to try RL-15 with these.

 

[redbullitt]

Re: 308 178gr a-max pet loads

My ar10 did not seem to like the amax. More stoppages than I liked, but accuracy was pretty good. Of course, the failures could have been load related, but it just did not seem to feed well. Found a couple polymer tips off and I just figured it was that. The SMKs werent broke, so I didnt try to fix anything.

This was before I ran the heavier buffer though, so slowing it down a bit might help. Just have stuck to smks in it since though.

However, the bolt guns ALL seem to like the amax. As far as loads, work your own stuff, but powder charges usually wind up around 43.0g of varget in the couple I shoot. OAL usually has come out to 10 to 20 off the lands (might be a mag problem if you have a really long throated barrel).

The load data for me has been pretty close to what I use for the 175 smks.

If you are using lake city brass, your charges will come out to be a bit lower than mine or what you see in thinner brass.

As far as velocity, here is what I have for a few averages. May be helpful. Have not tried reloader 15 since I have been happy with varget and its easy to get it local.

43g varget 178 amax

22 inch gasser 2460 fps
22 inch bolt 2515 fps
16 inch bolt 2390 fps
26 inch bolt 2605 fps

TONS of info around on it. 175 velocities will be pretty close, so they will be helpful.

 

[maggitas]

Re: 308 178gr a-max pet loads

I have a KAC SR 25. Here is my load.


Federal Brass
46 Gr Alliant Powder Pro 2000 MR
Hornady 178 BTHP
CCI BR2
2.810 COAL

I do not have any Chrony Numbers, but this load shoots bug holes at 100 yrds.

Johnny

 

[NCHillbilly]

Re: 308 178gr a-max pet loads

Thanks to all for the info.I normally shoot Hornady 168 gr. BTHP's ,and they group well at 100 yards(all the room I have to shoot at this time).I have also shot 168 gr, nosler ballistic tips which showed excellent accuracy(1/2 in at 100 yards,5 shots)and didn't have any issues with them(FTF,FTE).Just wanting to try something different to see if my rig likes them better.The curse of handloading, always trying something new.

 

[Bennyboy]

Re: 308 178gr a-max pet loads

Rem 700 20"

178AMAX
Lapua Brass
Win primer
42.5 RE15
2.800"
Velocity 2525

 

[Helter]

Re: 308 178gr a-max pet loads

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: NCHillbilly</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks to all for the info.I normally shoot Hornady 168 gr. BTHP's ,and they group well at 100 yards(all the room I have to shoot at this time).I have also shot 168 gr, nosler ballistic tips which showed excellent accuracy(1/2 in at 100 yards,5 shots)and didn't have any issues with them(FTF,FTE).Just wanting to try something different to see if my rig likes them better.The curse of handloading, always trying something new. </div></div>

I've been using the 178 gr BTHP's, with 44 gr of Varget, seated to 2.85. My Rem 700 seems to love them.

 

[NoFail]

Re: 308 178gr a-max pet loads

I've been trying the 178 Amax with CFE223 (CFE supposed to be close formula to the Alliant 2000 mr, just what I read here)
Still need to zero in on node. Looks like one is going to be somewhere from 45.0 gr & 46.5 gr CFE223...

178 Amax
Win cases
CCI BR2
2.810"
45.0 gr CFE223 2428.5 fps ave., ES 14.9 fps - 16" LR-308
46.5 gr CFE223 2548.7 fps ave., ES 9.4 fps. - 16" LR-308

 

[TannerGun]

Re: 308 178gr a-max pet loads

This ain't out of an Auto, and I know you probably don't wanna' single feed, but I"m shooting the 178 BTHP at 2.96" over 45.5gr of '15, CCI-200, in W/W Hulls for 2730fps. Pretty much a whoop ass load for me so far, but I'm interested to see how this bullet does at mag length.

 

[Helmet]

Re: 308 178gr a-max pet loads

Savage HS Precision
178 Amax
Lapua Palma brass
BR4 primers
42.5-43.5 Varget
.01" jump

 

[gcoulsey]

Re: 308 178gr a-max pet loads

26" 1/10
178 AMAX
Lap brass (body die, lee neck collet die)
Cci BR2
42.4 grn Varget
.010" jump
2600fps easy on brass.

Same as above but
47.1grn Viht N550
2730 fps loose pockets after x3 firings.

 

[Rob01]

Re: 308 178gr a-max pet loads

13 pages of .308 loads with lots of 178 AMAX loads in the Reloading Depot at the top of the main reloading page. Lots of other calibers too.

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=323517#Post323517

I use Varget for my 178 loads both AMAX and BTHP. Depending on brass and barrel anyhwere from 43-45grns have been my load.

 

[WillAdams]

Re: 308 178gr a-max pet loads

Too bad that reloading page can't be broken down by Powder AND Projectile. Going through 20 plus pages of "My pet load" AT 100 yds doesn't do much for my positive attitude. Just try doing a search for 2000MR and either 178/185.
Just my opinion.

 

[BCP]

Re: 308 178gr a-max pet loads

43.5 in win brass loaded to 2.78COAL shot great in my DPMS. In LC brass I'd try 43 grains and play with seating depth.

 

[Deadshot2]

Re: 308 178gr a-max pet loads

With the usual caveat, what works in my rifle may not work as well in yours, I found 43.5 gr of Varget in Winchester cases, with BR-2 primers gave me .5 moa or less accuracy. Unfortunately I have only been able to shoot this load at 300 yards to date but it's been so consistent I think it will do well as the targets move out farther.

 

[tolnep]

Re: 308 178gr a-max pet loads

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Will</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Too bad that reloading page can't be broken down by Powder AND Projectile. Going through 20 plus pages of "My pet load" AT 100 yds doesn't do much for my positive attitude. Just try doing a search for 2000MR and either 178/185.
Just my opinion. </div></div>

my take. (i have time to do this). before i started reloading and while my tools were coming in (i did an alacarte). i scowered the internet (especially the thread you mention) and put each load down, bullet, powder type and weight, case, primer type and notes if there was anything i felt useful in the comments. i then sorted this in an excel spreadsheet to get an idea of the trends with folks.

a bit tedious, but the comments around loadings, the types of rifle, the environment, distance and so forth were an important bit of info i wanted to review.

i then used this list to start reloading and testing.

im now doing that in prep for a new 260 that i am having built.

so theads like that are somewhat useful when the shooters discuss the details of their loads.

 

[Thor2j]

Re: 308 178gr a-max pet loads

I have the exact same dpms. I shoot out to 1000 yards with it. Up to abut 600 i get 1/2 moa then it opens up to about 1moa.

44.5gr Varget. 2680 fps
Lapua brass 2.82"
Cci primers
178 gr Amax

 

[stoney15]

Re: 308 178gr a-max pet loads

Winchester brass
Federal 210 primer
42.5 gr varget
Around 2550 fps

Shoots awesome from my thunder ranch

 

[Tx_Flyboy]

Re: 308 178gr a-max pet loads

NCHillbilly,

I have the same rifle except with a 20" barrel.

Pet Load is:
178gr AMAX
47.5gr 2000MR
WLR Primers
2.80 COAL

Bugholes at 100yards...

At 300yards, i can get about 3-4 out of 5 shots into an inch, but then throw one or two shot that get me just about MOA or less at 300yards...frustrating as all hell.

 

[jerseymike]

Re: 308 178gr a-max pet loads

178 bthp
Bha case
Fed primer
42.5 gr of varget
2540 Fps
18.5 inch krieger

No pressure what so ever

 

[NCHillbilly]

Re: 308 178gr a-max pet loads

Thanks to all for the info.I generally don't mind the effort to work up loads,but I find it's getting harder to get out and shoot as much as I would like to(which is pretty much all the time).This gun is so much fun to shoot,but I'm always looking for just a little better load.

 

[ridein4life]

helpful info!

 

[173rdabn]

20" AI with 1/10 Bartlein barrel
178 amax
43.6 gr IMR 4064
2.238 Ogive OAL
210M primers
LC12 brass match prepped (turned necks, reamed primer pockets and chamfered flash holes)

2599Fps average

 

[rduckwor]

I played with one run in my 700/5R. For reasons I can't remember, I wasn't that impressed with them. Clearly wasn't on my game that day and that may have jaded my impressions.

Here's the data with the usual warnings, work up, my rifle, etc.

 

[itsa30wait]

Norma 202 42.5 grains shoot good out of my savage model 10 oal of 2.835 bit bolt gun so doesn't really apply to your question haha

 

[Mike402]

Perfect thread for me...I spent a good amount of time finding the best load for my FN SPR A1 (bedded by SAC). The rifle shot consistently .5 moa w/ FGMM. I experimented with multiple combinations of IMR 4064, Varget, Hornady 168gr BTHP & 178gr AMAX.

The best combo I found was this:

Hornady 178gr AMAX, seated to OAL 2.950, (2.320 mic'd w/ Hornady comparator)
Lapua Brass w/ necks turned to .0140
Redding Bushing # .335
42.2 gr of Varget
FGMM LR primers
This gets me around 2640fps in the current hot temps I am seeing in the desert.

I recently bought a Bushnell DMR off of a Calguns member & went out to zero it this past Sunday. Temp was 102, with 5mph winds. I actually shot the smallest group I ever have with this setup (3 shots @ 100 yards - .169") Third group is .367 @ 200 yards. This was off a Harris bipod & FTW rear bag. Crappy cell phone pics, but its all I had with me at the time.

Should give you a good starting point, since my barrel is 24" as well (although 1x12). I am .020 off the lands at 2.950. Although I'm guessing you will probably load to mag length. I couldn't get any better accuracy than .5 moa loading to 2.800 or anywhere near that vicinity. Hope that helps!

 

[itsa30wait]

Mike402 have you tryed any 168 gr bullets yet? Little more velocity I'm using Berger 168 vld target with 45 gr of varget getting a touch over 2800 fps

 

[Mike402]

Mike402 have you tryed any 168 gr bullets yet? Little more velocity I'm using Berger 168 vld target with 45 gr of varget getting a touch over 2800 fps

Yes I did try the 168 Hornady bthp (and of course since I always shot FGMM, the 168 sierra) Both got me 1/2moa accuracy.

However, I ultimately decided to settle on the 178 AMAX for the following reasons: It gives me 1/4 moa accuracy out of my rifle (as long as I sort them by weight & ogive length), they are stable to 1000 yards, and they give decent terminal performance for hunting (not as good as pure hunting bullets, but better than bthp target bullets IMO). Plus you don't have to trim the meplats on these. On top of that, they are available and only .31 a piece.

I have wanted to try the 155 Palma bullets, but I don't compete, and I honestly don't know how much better/more accurate I can get than what I'm seeing now. Besides I have bought an assload of the 178s now, so I'm kinda married to them

45gr Varget sounds pretty stout. I prefer to do a mild load so I get more life out of my brass, plus with temps getting to 115 out here, want to leave some pressure wiggle room. Glad it works for you though!

Edit: I just reread my post, and I sound like a Hornady rep lol

 

[itsa30wait]

It's is a little bit of a hot load haha but I just got 800 of the 168 gr amax but the 168 bergers were starting to get a little hard to come by online and where I live. I will say although a touch slower the 178 amax did shoot a little tighter group then the bergers