178gr Amax | H335 | NEED DATA | NONE FOUND

[J3L]

Gents,

I'm leaving for Africa in a week and I need to load some .308 rounds quick.

I've got 178gr Amax bullets and Hodgdon H335

No one has any data for this build. Please help me I'm running out of time. Varget is almost non-existent around here right now.

Thanks,

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[buffybuster]

There is some data using 168/175SMK's. Go to Hodgdon's website. Start low and work your way up, but don't expect top velocities.

 

[J3L]

I honestly don't have time to start low and test. I need something concrete.


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[shoot4fun]

I honestly don't have time to start low and test. I need something concrete.


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Then you're likely screwed. "concrete" in someone else's rifle could be "mud" in yours.

Not being negative, just real.
One of my friends is in Africa right now. Waited until Tuesday before they left to shoot the new rifle. It was already on the paper work for the trip and, guess what, it had issues. They were able to work them out quickly but should not have waited until time was out to get the most important detail nailed down early.

 

[Onewolf42]

From Lyman 49th Edition:

Remarks: sugg. start load; 39,700 psi; 2.780" OAL
178 Hornady Jacketed A-Max Hodgdon H-335 38.5 2253

Remarks: max load; 57,600 psi; 2.780" OAL
178 Hornady Jacketed A-Max Hodgdon H-335 42.8 2604

 

[buffybuster]

I honestly don't have time to start low and test. I need something concrete.


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Go to gun store and buy a few boxes of whatever floats your boat...

 

[JGorski]

What other powders do you have available in your area? Varget is NOT the God all mighty powder for the 308. 4064 will work as good if not better, RE15, IMR4007ssc, 2000MR is outstanding! CFE would work as well. What do your shops have?

 

[leadbullet]

Reloading and no patience is a good as drinking and driving.
Cheers.

 

[TenZero]

A spur of the moment trip, right? BB is right, this late in the game, you need to just buy factory ammo and be happy that it goes bang.

 

[djskit]

I would not travel thousands of miles to kill game and bring match bullets. I know others feel strongly otherwise, but right tool for the right job and all that.

 

[JGorski]

Match bullets kill just as well as anything else.

 

[jbpmidas]

I had some 175 SMK loaded with 38.2 H335. Very slow but they were 3/8 MOA at 100 and 200. Never shot them further.


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[FLIGHT762]

Match bullets kill just as well as anything else.

Match bullets do not kill as well as any other bullet, unless you're talking about Prairie dogs, Ground Squirrels, Coyotes or other, similar small game. Sierra puts a disclaimer in their loading manuals not to use Match Kings on big game. Most match bullets are made with thin, precise jackets. They are not engineered to expand. They are engineered to be as accurate as possible. Some Match bullets can be used on thin skinned game (Deer, Antelope, small Hogs) and will work fairly well. I've read a number of terminal ballistic tests with the Sierra 30 cal. Match Kings that concluded they could not be depended upon for reliable, repeatable expansion. This is one of the reasons most L/E agencies have stopped using Match Kings for duty use.

I would not want to use Match bullets on larger game and certainly not dangerous game. There are many bullet manufacturers who design hunting bullets specifically for deep, controlled expansion to kill humanely. Match bullets are not designed for that.

 

[Wolfkin]

175 gr. Sie hpbt h335 .308" 2.800" 38.0 2390 38,800 cup 41.3 2592 50,100 cup

 

[JGorski]

Match bullets do not kill as well as any other bullet, unless you're talking about Prairie dogs, Ground Squirrels, Coyotes or other, similar small game. Sierra puts a disclaimer in their loading manuals not to use Match Kings on big game. Most match bullets are made with thin, precise jackets. They are not engineered to expand. They are engineered to be as accurate as possible. Some Match bullets can be used on thin skinned game (Deer, Antelope, small Hogs) and will work fairly well. I've read a number of terminal ballistic tests with the Sierra 30 cal. Match Kings that concluded they could not be depended upon for reliable, repeatable expansion. This is one of the reasons most L/E agencies have stopped using Match Kings for duty use.

I would not want to use Match bullets on larger game and certainly not dangerous game. There are many bullet manufacturers who design hunting bullets specifically for deep, controlled expansion to kill humanely. Match bullets are not designed for that.

I shot a 7mm 150MK into 4 milk jugs filled with H2O at 100yds from my 708, I can tell you this, there wasn't much left of the bullet, still have the 50grain lead that was leftover, no, I would not use MKs on dangerous game, but for deer size game they will work fine, just as good as Gamekings I'd say.

 

[shoot4fun]

There have been some very impressive pics of Amax kill shots on here. Still, I would not want to pay for, prepare for, do the paper work for, do the travel for and then find out my match bullet didn't get the job done.

 

[JoshcBoucher]

Ditto, +1, for the factory stuff, AND get the best money can buy. Compared to the cost of the trip, it's a no-brainer.

A spur of the moment trip, right? BB is right, this late in the game, you need to just buy factory ammo and be happy that it goes bang.