• Quick Shot Challenge: What’s the dumbest shooting myth you’ve heard?

    Drop it in the replies for the chance to win a free shirt!

    Join the contest

.208 AMAX Loads too hot to shoot, what now?

W

woodspider

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
May 3, 2005
160
2
#1
I need some direction on whats best to do with some left over hot loads I have after setting up a ladder test in which I found a nice accuracy node then ran into pressure with the subsequent higher grain loads. I had about 6 more rounds to shoot however I did not successfully predict how fast things got and there was too much pressure I believe. Whats the best way to dispose of the left over rounds? Ive never pulled a bullet from a live round is there a link to a thread on how to do it safely or a device? Any advice appreciated. I just dont feel safe just puttin them in and firing them as my FPS was near 150 above where I thought it would be and the primers were cratering and the case heads had some brass smudge that I assume was from the overpressure.
The powder was H1000 The rounds left over are from 77.5gr. to 79.0 gr. I was at 3078 FPS at 77.5 with crono at 10 ft. and some pressure signs showing at that charge, so I quit just to be safe as I had found a good node. Temp was 18 degrees cooold out.

BTW I got great node at 77.1 right at 3,000 FPS with .208 Amax if anyone was interested.
 
#2
Re: .208 AMAX Loads too hot to shoot, what now?

RCBS Bullet puller, just lock the bullet in, and bang on some concrete flooring, and the pill should come out in 3-5 good whacks... Unlock the brass, pour the powder and pill into something, repeat....
 
#3
Re: .208 AMAX Loads too hot to shoot, what now?

I like the hornady cam lock bullet puller...I've tried the inertia pullers, and the forster and the hornady I like the best..
 
#4
Re: .208 AMAX Loads too hot to shoot, what now?

The only puller I have experience with is the RCBS (inertia "hammer style") and I would say that that I don't need to go any further- I am happy with the performance.
 
#6
Re: .208 AMAX Loads too hot to shoot, what now?

Thanks for the replies Ill let you know how it goes im gonna pull em, gotta get a puller first though. Thanks again.
 
#7
Re: .208 AMAX Loads too hot to shoot, what now?

I found the inertial puller to ding up the tips of my AMAX's and the chamber is just short enough to bounce the bullet off the end and then often come back and ding up the brass.

Get the RCBS collet puller. Mounts in your press. Back off the top screw. Press loaded round up into the collet. Tighten collet. Pull up handle and draws brass off the bullet.

I use a cleaning rod laying on the bench with one end against the wall to then push the bullet back out of the collet (after pulling it back out of the die).

This method works very well and I've shot pulled bullets right next to virgins out to over a mile with no noticeable affect on accuracy.

John
 
#9
Re: .208 AMAX Loads too hot to shoot, what now?

If you use the inertia (hammer) puller, hit a couple of good solid hits followed by lighter hits. The bullet will be dislodged with mimimal force. I've used the inertia puller for years. Once you figure out how many hits (usually 2-3 forceful and 1-2 light hits), you won't damage any bullets at all, even soft lead tipped spitzer bullets. Most pullers are transparent and you can see how far the bullet dislodged on each stroke.

Inertia pullers work great once you get the timing down and back off on how hard you strike.

BLK7
 
#10
Re: .208 AMAX Loads too hot to shoot, what now?

Both you guys gave great ideas... I guess I'm just too much of a Mongo.
wink.gif


John
 
#11
Re: .208 AMAX Loads too hot to shoot, what now?

UPDATE I just bought a RCBS bullet puller and collet. Set it up in my press (Forster) and dam if I cant twist the top L shaped bar a full 360 because it hits the arm of my press. The part your hand twists is welded to top of the die handle so it looks like Im gonna have to cut the top metal rod in half to get it to rotate 360 so it will grasp the bullet.
Ill let you know how it goes. ?Anyone with a forster dont buy the RCBS bullet puller they arent compatible due to the inability to turn the handle 360 !
 
#13
Re: .208 AMAX Loads too hot to shoot, what now?

Don't go cutting shit yet man! What "arm" are you refering to? Your main press arm should be in the down position when the bullet/case is up in the press. I will investigate the Forster press if you will post model # or pics.

you could also return it for a different model or refund if bought locally.

tater
 
#14
Re: .208 AMAX Loads too hot to shoot, what now?

inertia puller with some cotton wool stuck in the bottom got my Amax's out without any damage.

Are you still shooting the 208 at 3000 fps ? that seems crazy fast ? i ordered 200 today and was hoping to get them to 2400 with varget which i think ought to get me to the 1200 yrd max range i shoot at while remaining above the barrier.
 
#15
Re: .208 AMAX Loads too hot to shoot, what now?

OK, I see the arm problem. Have you tried adjusting everything with the arm down and raising the arm, inserting cartridge, lowering arm, tightening collet with handle, then raising arm to pull the bullet? I still think it could work without cutting. Otherwise, buy the inertial puller. They come with a felt or rubber pad for the bullet and the technique for not damaging bullets as outlined earlier in the thread is not difficult.

tater
 
#16
Re: .208 AMAX Loads too hot to shoot, what now?

I had to do some searching for collet pullers for the forster as not all of them will work as you found out....

the hornady cam lock will work just fine. It takes some fiddling but it will work..

if you bought your rcbs puller from midway or sinclairs they'll take it back no questions asked and you can request a replacement for a hornady cam lock.
 
#17
Re: .208 AMAX Loads too hot to shoot, what now?

Tater I havent cut it yet but theres no other way I believe? Unless I return it for a Hornady or Inertia puller.

TJ Last ladder I did I was at 2999 FPS at 77.1 grains of H-1000(crono was at 10 feet from muzzle.
Last 2 outings I found that 76.9 grains of H-1000 worked great. Vertical dispersion at 500 yards was less than 1 inch, and I had a couple 3 shot groups I was covering with a quarter, that was repeated on 2 different days outings so it isnt a fluke I do believe?
HOWEVER on my last two outings my crono kept getting error reads and I never got a speed on that 76.9 load. When I did the ladder test a few weeks ago I did have a shot at that charge 76.9 and it shot around 2948 I do believe but Im at work and dont have my notes here but Im pretty sure thats where it was at FPS wise. Ill keep you posted.
 
#18
Re: .208 AMAX Loads too hot to shoot, what now?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TJ.</div><div class="ubbcode-body">inertia puller with some cotton wool stuck in the bottom got my Amax's out without any damage.

Are you still shooting the 208 at 3000 fps ? that seems crazy fast ? i ordered 200 today and was hoping to get them to 2400 with varget which i think ought to get me to the 1200 yrd max range i shoot at while remaining above the barrier. </div></div>

Don't think you guys are talking the same caliber here....
 
#19
Re: .208 AMAX Loads too hot to shoot, what now?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CMH</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TJ.</div><div class="ubbcode-body">inertia puller with some cotton wool stuck in the bottom got my Amax's out without any damage.

Are you still shooting the 208 at 3000 fps ? that seems crazy fast ? i ordered 200 today and was hoping to get them to 2400 with varget which i think ought to get me to the 1200 yrd max range i shoot at while remaining above the barrier. </div></div>

Don't think you guys are talking the same caliber here.... </div></div>

Fairly positive the op is talking about a 300 Win Mag
 
#20
Re: .208 AMAX Loads too hot to shoot, what now?

yes i'm on 308, he's 300.

spider, do keep me up. this is the first time i've really looked at the same bullet being utilised in a diff calibre and i'm curious to know how it shapes up for you and ultimately, how far out you can take this round. very interesting. thx
 
#22
Re: .208 AMAX Loads too hot to shoot, what now?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Oodin</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Inertial puller is less than 20 bucks. Don't shoot them, just pull the bullets. </div></div>
The inertia puller will work but I would reccomend the RCBS collet puller. Much less of a hassle IMO.
 
#23
Re: .208 AMAX Loads too hot to shoot, what now?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Santo</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Oodin</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Inertial puller is less than 20 bucks. Don't shoot them, just pull the bullets. </div></div>
The inertia puller will work but I would reccomend the RCBS collet puller. Much less of a hassle IMO. </div></div>

Yep, too messy. I changed to the hornady cam lock and never looked back.
 
#24
Re: .208 AMAX Loads too hot to shoot, what now?

just get the rcbs inerta hammer already!,wack it till the bullet is most of the way out then <span style="font-weight: bold"> </span> <span style="text-decoration: underline"> </span> lightly tap till it falls out.PROBLEM SOLVED this is a no brainer , kinda beatin this one to death
 
#25
Re: .208 AMAX Loads too hot to shoot, what now?

Collet puller!
.
.
.
I couldn't resist. If you have just a few to pull get the inertia puller. If used correctly there will be no damage to the casing or the bullet. I put a foam earplug in the tip of mine to catch the bullet. The collet pullers are great if you have a lot of ammo to pull.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

sacklunch
Hot barrel was hammering…why
Replies
10
Views
659
eklarsen
eklarsen
T
Superior shooting systems loaded ammo problems
Replies
8
Views
298
Lightning8
L
P
Lost about 90 fps - 300WM once fired brass
Replies
12
Views
692
penguinofsleep
P
B
6.5 PRC Load Advice
Replies
4
Views
887
db2000
db2000
T
Super low SD but crappy groups, what to do
Replies
20
Views
949
OkieMike
O
Top Bottom
Back
Home
Forums
Merch
Alerts