• Watch Out for Scammers!

    We've now added a color code for all accounts. Orange accounts are new members, Blue are full members, and Green are Supporters. If you get a message about a sale from an orange account, make sure you pay attention before sending any money!

Ammo shoot all over the place

snakebyte922

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Jan 10, 2011
322
1
42
Texas
So I went out shooting on Friday and Saturday. On Friday I shoot 168 gr federal Sierra matchking BTHP which is the first pic which I believe is 1/2-1/4 moa. Then Saturday I shot 168 gr hornady A-Max and shot this mess 2nd pic. Has anybody had this issue or is it clear my rifle does not like A-Max rounds. I'm shooting an homemade .308 AR platform rifle "to be PC" with a 18" barrel with 1-10 twist.

DAA8C9C5-B554-4984-BDC5-59359A357DA6-4859-000004C5CF7A9204.jpg


1D6022C0-F706-4D37-9AFC-1F8AC2F4989E-2146-000003D5F24DD4FA.jpg
 
Re: Ammo shoot all over the place

Yes, I've seen this happen. No, your rifle does not like the A-MAX load!
Believe what you see...
 
Re: Ammo shoot all over the place

There's a lot more to a loaded cartridge than just the projectile design.

What's the factory stated muzzle velocity of each load?

Is the second target rotated from shooting or is the group horizontally skewed?
 
Re: Ammo shoot all over the place

the difference in groups should not be this dramatic, make sure everything is tight in your scope mount.
what kind of scope are you using?
 
Re: Ammo shoot all over the place

I'm using a nightforce nxs 3.5-15x50 mil-dot with a LaRue 104

The target is in the correct direction. I immediately check everything on my rifle and all is fine and correct.
 
Re: Ammo shoot all over the place

The bottom target is 3-3 shot groups no adjustment between groups

This is driving me crazy I am headed back to the range today with the federals and ill post the next target when I get it
 
Re: Ammo shoot all over the place

thanx for the info, how hot was your barrel getting when you shot the groups and changing your head placement can affect accuracy but it seems that those 3 shot groups were still under 1 MOA, if you confirm the poor performance of the Hornady's again, stick with the Federal ammo.
good luck today.
cheers.
 
Re: Ammo shoot all over the place

My 16" OBR shoots best with FGM 168/175 Sierra Match.
It opened up with AMAX also, but not quite as bad as yours. Every gun has favorite ammo; it's trial and error.
 
Re: Ammo shoot all over the place

I run the amax in my era lar8 pred. with a 28in bull barrel

This is my pet load but you will need to work up to it

168grn Hornady A-max
43.5grn IMR 4064
2.8 oal
Win. brass
CCI Br2 primers

avg 2740 fps

i have achieved less than 1/2 moa 5 shot grps at 100yds. You didn't specify if you were reloading, but this load has been great for me out to 1200yds.
 
Re: Ammo shoot all over the place

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: snakebyte922</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Think I'm going to stick with the federals

B08885E0-63DC-4AB0-808A-28563353772A-2146-000003D0F2CECE97.jpg
</div></div>

problem solved, that was easy.