Conducted my first test of the Hornady AMax 178 for .308 today. I'm very happy with the results. I think I found two accuracy nodes; one around 2630-2640fps and another at 2712 fps. Both <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="color: #0000BF">under 1/2 MOA</span></span>. I bet if I had a better scope and trigger, I could shoot .4s all day long.
<span style="font-weight: bold">Weather:</span>
Sunny
86-90 deg F, light winds 1-8mph out of 9-12 o'clock usually, typically 4mph from 10-11 o'clock. Humidity 27-35%. Alt approx 200' ASL.
<span style="font-weight: bold">Rifle:</span>
Rem 700 5R .308 24" bbl, bedded, otherwise stock. Falcon Menace 4-14x FFP.
<span style="font-weight: bold">Cartridge:</span>
.308 Federal. CCI 200. RL-15. Trim to 2.005-.010". COAL 2.830"+- .002". Base to Ogive 2.206"
<span style="font-weight: bold">Course of fire:</span>
Round-robin style from 43.0 grains RL-15 to 45.0 grains. Shoot 1 round in each group about 1.5 minutes apart. Let barrel cool. Repeat. 5 shots total in each of the 7 groups. Shot from benchrest at 100 yds with sand bags.
Here are all the groups. The slowest group is in upper left. I worked my way across to right and then zigzagged down. The fastest group is in lower right. Notice how the groups start out wide then tighten at 43.3gr then widen again only to max out at 44.1gr then slowly tighten up until tightest at 45.0gr.
This is the first (2631 fps) accuracy node. I jump 0.5 grains to the next faster group so I think I may be able to tighten it up a little or gain some buffer by pushing it a little faster (.1-.3gr).
These are the last 3 groups (44.4 to 45.0 gr). Notice how they start out fat and then incrementally tighten up. I need to test a little faster loads but I suspect the groups might open back up again by 45.3 gr.
This is the fastest group tested; 45.0 gr RL-15 @ avg=2712 fps, ES=22
First 4 shots = 0.410" & 5th shot is murphy's flyer (last shot of the day).
For the curious, here is a picture of the Sierra SMK 175 (left) and the AMax 178.
The AMax is longer, less curved in the bow, and has a shorter boattail.
<span style="font-style: italic">Big thank you to Rich (USCBigDawg) for letting me borrow his chrony. It was very easy to use and seemed to be accurate.</span>
<span style="font-weight: bold">Weather:</span>
Sunny
<span style="font-weight: bold">Rifle:</span>
Rem 700 5R .308 24" bbl, bedded, otherwise stock. Falcon Menace 4-14x FFP.
<span style="font-weight: bold">Cartridge:</span>
.308 Federal. CCI 200. RL-15. Trim to 2.005-.010". COAL 2.830"+- .002". Base to Ogive 2.206"
<span style="font-weight: bold">Course of fire:</span>
Round-robin style from 43.0 grains RL-15 to 45.0 grains. Shoot 1 round in each group about 1.5 minutes apart. Let barrel cool. Repeat. 5 shots total in each of the 7 groups. Shot from benchrest at 100 yds with sand bags.
Here are all the groups. The slowest group is in upper left. I worked my way across to right and then zigzagged down. The fastest group is in lower right. Notice how the groups start out wide then tighten at 43.3gr then widen again only to max out at 44.1gr then slowly tighten up until tightest at 45.0gr.
This is the first (2631 fps) accuracy node. I jump 0.5 grains to the next faster group so I think I may be able to tighten it up a little or gain some buffer by pushing it a little faster (.1-.3gr).
These are the last 3 groups (44.4 to 45.0 gr). Notice how they start out fat and then incrementally tighten up. I need to test a little faster loads but I suspect the groups might open back up again by 45.3 gr.
This is the fastest group tested; 45.0 gr RL-15 @ avg=2712 fps, ES=22
First 4 shots = 0.410" & 5th shot is murphy's flyer (last shot of the day).
For the curious, here is a picture of the Sierra SMK 175 (left) and the AMax 178.
The AMax is longer, less curved in the bow, and has a shorter boattail.
<span style="font-style: italic">Big thank you to Rich (USCBigDawg) for letting me borrow his chrony. It was very easy to use and seemed to be accurate.</span>
