208 A-Max beating a dead horse

[RTO]

Not to beat a dead horse here, I know there is a lot of info here on the 208 A-Max. What I have not found is the min/max loads for a 300WSM. I called Hornady today but they did not have any info on the wsm either. I am working up a ladder with H4350 and guessing about 58-62 or somewhere in there but Im really just guessing here. None of my books have the 208's in them either. There seems to be a lot of info on here about the 300WM and I know there is one post on here with the 300WSM but Im hoping someone may have a load range or any info they can share.

FN SPR A5 300WSM 1-10 twist 24" barrel

 

[bohem]

Re: 208 A-Max beating a dead horse

Here's what I started with when working up a load for a buddy:

Win brass
208 Amax @ 2.85" OAL
24" barrel
58.0gr of H4350

I worked up in 0.6gr increments to find pressure and ended up at 62.3gr for a node, with 63.2 showing me some slight pressure signs.

He was getting 2750 from the node.

He recently switched to using 67.8gr of H4831sc and is getting another 75fps

 

[BCP]

Re: 208 A-Max beating a dead horse

My sierra book says 64 grains of h4350 with a 200hpbt @ 2.9COAL. They were using win brass and a win primer. I would use that data.

At max they said 2800fps out of a 24"

 

[GardDog]

Re: 208 A-Max beating a dead horse

I'm doing some scientific and non-scientific testing with the 208 Amax & the 190 Berger in my 300 wsm with multiple powders. I'm using some suggested loads from fellow members and info gleaned from other sources. Hopefully, I can get to the range soon and narrow my quest and publish the results.

 

[RTO]

Re: 208 A-Max beating a dead horse

Thanks for the info, I am going to try and get out this weekend if I can, I will post the results

 

[RTO]

Re: 208 A-Max beating a dead horse

Range Update:
I went and did a ladder test this morning with the 208 A-Max. My FN SPR 300WSM gobbled them up. It was probably the hardest ladder test I have ever done. Most of the time its easy to spot a node, but this stick seemed to not care what it was. I Ran a 20 round increment with .2gr increments. The overall group was 1.23". It was basically one hole. It was really tough trying to see where each round hit noting in my book each hit as I went. I loaded 4 load workups from what seemed to be the sweet spot and will try to get back out Monday. The A-Max is unbelievable and no wonder why there is such a following in this bullet. I have tried the 190 SMK, 190 Berger VLD, and 210 Berger VLD. I cant say what groups will be yet but the 190VLD was holding around .41-.43 and it didnt ladder test anything like the A-Max. I know the ladder test isnt really an indication of groups but I cant wait to get back out and see. I will update again when I get back.

Thanks to Bohem for the load workup, he was on the money with the range although the FN didnt start to show signs of pressure with stiff bolt lift until 64grains of H4350

 

[LR-WSM]

Re: 208 A-Max beating a dead horse

If you can get your hands on any VV-N560 it's heads and shoulders above anything else in a certain program I have as far as pressure and speed go. However I don't have RL-17 or any of the new Alliant PowerPro Magnum powder in my database.

From there I would look at H-4831sc

I have got a few on the way for testing so I'll report my actual results with N-560

 

[RTO]

Re: 208 A-Max beating a dead horse

LR, are you seeing that much difference between 4350 and 4831sc?

 

[LR-WSM]

Re: 208 A-Max beating a dead horse

It shows a significant difference in pressure on Q.L. The N-560 is the best powder for that combo from the powders I have in my Q,L, database. I'm really curious about the RL-17 and if it will come close to the 560