Hunting & Fishing 208 A-Max Terminal Ballistics?

[Bigwheels]

OK, I know that this has been covered to some extent before, but hear me out.
I always bring my Comp. rifle with on hunting trips as a back up weapon. I have a .3 moa load for the 208 A-Max @ 2950fps, & have a lot of confirmed 1st rnd hits to go from.
My question is. Has anyone done any testing on BIG GAME? I hunt BIG Muley's, & Elk. Not white tails.
Given good shot placement, can I count on the A-Max to penetrate? Or should I keep tweaking my Berger 210 load & use them?

 

[billyburl2]

Re: 208 A-Max Terminal Ballistics?

Haven't used them on game yet, but 178gr AMAX's will punch through 1/2" mild steel plate at 250yds out of my .300 wsm (2950fps mv. I don't think penetration will be a problem, honestly

 

[ChadTRG42]

Re: 208 A-Max Terminal Ballistics?

The game I've taken with the 208 A-max has provided great penetration, and held together very well. You don't get those huge massive exit wounds like from a fragmenting, short penetrating bullet. I would not hesitate to take a big mullie or elk with it. And the high BC is a huge plus for down range energy.

 

[psinclair]

Re: 208 A-Max Terminal Ballistics?

Here is a bull elk taken with a .308 shooting 208 AMAXs about 300 fps slower than your load at a range of just over 500 meters. One shot through both front shoulders...complete penetration. If you look closly at the left front shoulder in the pic you will see the entry hole. This bull dropped on the spot and never moved.

 

[Bigwheels]

Re: 208 A-Max Terminal Ballistics?

Nice Bull. Anyone hit one close up? I'm a little more concerned about high velocity impacts @ closer ranges.
BTW, what did the exit look like on that bull?

 

[psinclair]

Re: 208 A-Max Terminal Ballistics?

50 cent piece size exit. Couldnt tell you about real up close shots.

 

[JLM]

Re: 208 A-Max Terminal Ballistics?

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

Here is a bull elk taken with a .308 shooting 208 AMAXs about 300 fps slower than your load at a range of just over 500 meters. One shot through both front shoulders...complete penetration. If you look closly at the left front shoulder in the pic you will see the entry hole. This bull dropped on the spot and never moved. </div></div>

PGS, if I'm reading you right that's the 208 launching at around 2650? My rifle shoots the 178's quite well. Curious how they would work on Elk. Shawn Carlock told me GTG.

If so I might have to try that RL-17 'experiment' I've had on hold

Thank you Sir!

 

[SingleShot85]

Re: 208 A-Max Terminal Ballistics?

what are the details of the 308-208 load........barrel length, powder, anount you know bla bla bla

Nice work and nice bull

kt

 

[psinclair]

Re: 208 A-Max Terminal Ballistics?

JLM, I woudnt hesitate to use that 178 on elk. We've used the 155 Scenar on a few big bulls over the past few years and they have all died on the spot(.308 win.) Just make good shots...its pretty simple.


SS, Thanks! That was my brother in laws first elk and he was happy with him...until we started backpacking him out...grin!

He shot it with my Surgeon .308 26" Krieger 1-11", Lapua brass F210M, Varget...Max load. A shade over 2600fps

 

[SingleShot85]

Re: 208 A-Max Terminal Ballistics?

i guessing 45.5-46 grains then.

Hope you packed the light end, nothing like making B-I-L sweat it out a bit.

kt

 

[JLM]

Re: 208 A-Max Terminal Ballistics?

PGS, thank you sir!