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Hornady 168gr A-Max vs 168gr BTHP

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brandonq2

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Minuteman
Feb 10, 2013
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Indianapolis, IN
New member, first post...I have searched here and google and haven't found any comparisons. I just put together my first bolt action rifle (rem 700 varmint in .308 w/ 26" 1:12" barrel) and plan to reload for this rifle and a friend's identical rifle.

I have been told by more than a few people that the Hornady 168gr Amax is the way to go, plus another highly recommended the Lapua Scenars. I have seen the 168gr Amax and 168gr Match BTHP both on the shelf recently at a LGS and my question is "has anyone compared the two back to back?" The BTHP is listed as having a slightly lower BC (.475 vs .450).

The majority of my shooting will be on a range at 300 yards, then by summer time hopefully make the 1.5hr trip to another range with 750 yard provisions with some regularity. I currently have no plans to use this rifle for deer hunting and my end goal is sub-MOA at 1000 yards.

Any other suggestions are always recommended, thanks in advance for any input.
 
Re: Hornady 168gr A-Max vs 168gr BTHP

Either of those bullets would work. The BC difference is the only difference. Both will shoot very accurately and at the ranges you are going to be shooting neither will be a problem.
 
Re: Hornady 168gr A-Max vs 168gr BTHP

My DPMS LR308 gets 0.50 MoA with 168gr AMax and 44.0 gr varget.

I got a coupla hundred BTHP's I'll have to load up, one day. They got me about 0.70MoA.

You'll get a variety of opinions on 308 for 1,000 yards.
 
Re: Hornady 168gr A-Max vs 168gr BTHP

Thanks for the input so far guys. I have been reloading .223 and .45 for a few years now, but this will be my first venture into "precision" loading. I'm still trying to source dies, bullets, and more brass...all on a budget of course.

I realize I may be splitting hairs at this point, but I want to try a few different bullets and if I can make a more educated decision on which ones to start with to maximize my odds, then that will free up funds for productive shooting vs load development.
 
Re: Hornady 168gr A-Max vs 168gr BTHP

my God if I'd seen those 168 amax on the shelve I would have snatched those puppies up right then and there without thought. I hope you did..
 
Re: Hornady 168gr A-Max vs 168gr BTHP

Either one will do , especially if the majority of your shooting will be at 300Y. The 168 the Amax has the BC advantage, and if you ever decide to harvest a deer with it, the Amax will perform.

If you plan to extend your range, then a 178 match or Amax may the better choice. You can work the numbers and a 168 @2700 and 178@2650 look exactly the same on paper, but all I have shot put the 178 ahead for wind.

Same with 155 Scenar. The trajectory path is very flat, just in the real world the wind has its way with it. As for the Scenar, if you can spin them up to 2900 and faster, they are great. I use them in my 1:11 30-06, as the recoil is nil.
Neither one of my 1:12 308's liked the 155's.

So take a look at your immediate and end goals and see which type of shooting you will really be doing. Shooting 100Y bugholes is cool, but you will be surprised how quickly you can get bored of 300Y shots.

This guy is not a sponsor, but I have picked up bullets from him http://bulletsamples.com/Stock.html you can try a variety of bullets instead of buying boxes that are not currently available.
 
Re: Hornady 168gr A-Max vs 168gr BTHP

Wow Rogg, thanks for that link, I'll be using them a lot! I didnt even know a place like that existed!
 
Re: Hornady 168gr A-Max vs 168gr BTHP

Wow Roggom thank you for the detailed answer, that's a lot of information that helps a lot. Truth be told I'm actually looking forward to the load development almost as much as shooting distance.

Do you have a recommendation on dies? We're going to be loading for 2 identical 700's but I'm anticipating chamber differences enough to warrant individual neck sizing setups at some point, plus my friend has a FAL that will need a full length die.
 
Re: Hornady 168gr A-Max vs 168gr BTHP

I full size my brass and have two different sizing dies. For my SPS-T (used for hunting and shooting steel) I use a RCBS Competition set. For my other 308, I use the Redding S-bushing die.

I could use the Redding for both, but I have learned it is best to keep brass separate, and once I have my dies set, I dont want to mess with them.

Sizing and loading for three rifles can be a pain, as you will probably get one to shoot stellar and the others marginal. That is unless you find the correct recipes for each rifle. You will have to keep all of the brass separate and adjust your dies as needed.

So some possibilities to consider are: Two or three separate sizing dies, or get the Redding Competition set http://www.sinclairintl.com/reloading-eq...49008278_d_5675 That one has micrometers on the sizing and seating dies. You check the fired brass, and adjust the sizing die as needed.

Dont get me wrong, you could size all of the brass for the shortest chamber, but it is not the correct way of doing things, as the long chamber will stretch and work the brass. This can also lead to case head separation. You may know this, but for those other folks who may find this thread.
 
Re: Hornady 168gr A-Max vs 168gr BTHP

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: roggom</div><div class="ubbcode-body">...you will be surprised how quickly you can get bored of 300Y shots.

</div></div>

That is SOOO true....
smile.gif
 
Yeah the plan was a total of 3 die sets, but we're going to experiment with one to start. The semi-auto is on the back burner for a while and we'll only be loading "plinking" ammo for it with a goal of CHEAP.

I've heard Redding mentioned a few times and a local reloading shop carries them, so I think I'll start with that. Then we can see which rifle likes what...this definitely seems like a deep, dark rabbit hole to fall into chasing consistency and accuracy. Should be fun!
 
roggom's given you good advice. If you're planning on going to 1k soon, I'd go with 178 Amax's right now and never look back, 168's toungue starts hangin out after 700 or so and the wind has its way with them. I like Redding and Forster dies. Micro seaters, bushing neck sizers for my bolt actions and full length for the autos. Good luck.

okie
 
I agree w roggom on the die recommendations. I load on a competition set for my 308s but have Redding's for my RUM since the comp's werent available. I love rcbs's stuff but the redding is a nice product and both have great customer service.
.
As far as load's go I shoot the 168amx with 45.5 or 45.7 of varget an have two 700s that both love that load seated to 2.80 with win primer.
 
Amax. I have never owned a rifle that wouldn't throw them accurately. Never.
 
I just moved from the 178 AMAX to the HPBT. It's a slicker better made bullet IMO. Both shot great though, but might as well go w/ the higher BC.
 
I have been shooting 168gr. sierra HPBT with 72 gr. of IMR4350 at almost 3200fps and had excellent results. Tried the 168gr. hornady and didn't have much luck. Gonna try the 168gr. berger VLDs and see what i can do with it. But i heard that they are not gonna make the 168gr. berger VLD targets anymore. there is a whole list of tips they aren't gonna produce anymore.
 
scott8181 said:
I have been shooting 168gr. sierra HPBT with 72 gr. of IMR4350 at almost 3200fps and had excellent results. Tried the 168gr. hornady and didn't have much luck. Gonna try the 168gr. berger VLDs and see what i can do with it. But i heard that they are not gonna make the 168gr. berger VLD targets anymore. there is a whole list of tips they aren't gonna produce anymore.
Click to expand...

Just curious how are you shooting 72 gr in a .308 I cant put that much of IMR 4350 in a 30-06 shell.
 
This is all great info guys, thank you. I just picked up some 178 Amax and 168 bthp this weekend and once I locate a die set I'll be running some loads in a few weeks.
 
How fast are you guys pushing the 168g'ers on average? 2700 fps seems pretty good. Putting the figures into JBM that would keep the round supersonic all the way to 1075y at sea level 59F. In comparison the 6.5 creedmoor shooting 140gr a-maxs with a .585 BC (a full point higher) will only make it to 1250y before falling subsonic.
 
Last edited:
roggom said:
Either one will do , especially if the majority of your shooting will be at 300Y. The 168 the Amax has the BC advantage, and if you ever decide to harvest a deer with it, the Amax will perform.
Click to expand...
The AMAX bullet is OK for hunting?

Great thread by the way, I learned alot.
 
I cant say what the BTHP will do but the 168AMAX has worked very well for me, damn 308 almost shot better than my 6 Creedmoor this past August at 600yds, jeeze!!
 
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