Hornady Amax 208gr Reloading

[Yowie]

I've chosen the hornady amax 208gr to load for my 300WinMag and notice a lot of people are going 78.5C when hodgdon says 78.0C max load.

What loads are you guys using? Also what is your case prep.... Tumbler or ultrasonic or both?

Any info would be great cheers.

 

[briang7511]

I am loading 74 gr of h1000, 215m primer, for the 208 amax at 2900 fps. it doesn't matter the charge, as every firearm is different. start low and work up. I tumble my cases in walnut media.

 

[Nortonious]

I couldn't tell from the OP, but it sounds like you're talking H1000. Just realize there are other Hodgdon powders folks use for 300 WinMag (ie 4831, 4831sc, Retumbo, etc).

Be careful asking what max load to use....just want to make sure you are working up to your own load, checking for pressure signs, etc. (BTW-If you haven't, read a little on OCW, OBT).

every firearm is different. start low and work up.

THIS^^^^

I seat my 300 WinMag a little long, and put in a little more powder (not H1000)...but that is a load I developed for my rifle. I didn't seat long just to squeeze in more powder, I developed the OCW, found the desired seating depth, and then added some more powder to regain the OBT/accuracy node.

I also use 208gr Amax for 300 WinMag, very happy with it.

 

[Rprecision]

lot of people are going 78.5C when hodgdon says 78.0C max load.

I don't know how experienced you are and will assume by your question your probably not. Keep in mind you aren't touching off a .223 or .308. A 300WM generates some very real pressures with a lot of powder volume and heavy bullets.

Max charge weights depends on your barrel, throat, brass head stamp (Volume), powder lot, primer, temperature, Etc.

Some folks can get away running at or above max. If you don't know why, or how they got there please do some more reading and learning. The cost of being wrong is very real and if your lucky all it costs you is money!

 

[Yowie]

I don't know how experienced you are and will assume by your question your probably not. Keep in mind you aren't touching off a .223 or .308. A 300WM generates some very real pressures with a lot of powder volume and heavy bullets.

Max charge weights depends on your barrel, throat, brass head stamp (Volume), powder lot, primer, temperature, Etc.

Some folks can get away running at or above max. If you don't know why, or how they got there please do some more reading and learning. The cost of being wrong is very real and if your lucky all it costs you is money!

Hey mate, I've been doing a heap of research and reading both sierra, hodgdon, ADI etc and spoken to lots of people about what they do and don't do.

I understand not to go full load straight up and some people have even said don't go compressed loads. But from what hodgdon and sierra ballistics team have said that going to a recommended compressed round is safe and very effective but work up to it like you've said.

Just was trying to see what other people have been running and work out how far below I should start. Should I start 5gr below what it recommends and work up and see what I get or what?

Cheers,
Josh

 

[I Am Hero]

I use IMR 4350 in mine and I am just working up a load now. I started just over 2600. As stated above, a minor pressure sign in my 223 I am not terribly concerned about (although cautious). But with the 300 I made a huge point of starting very low and working up from there.

Never used 4350 in a WM before but saw it as one of the powders in Hornady's book and had some sitting around. My gun loves the stuff so I don't really see a need to switch back to H1000 or RL-22, at least not now.

 

[GIXXER2000]

I have 3 loads for the 208 A-MAX, I am shooting from AI-PSR with 24 in barrel 1-10 twist.
1st: Federal Brass, H1000= 78.3, 215M, COAL= 3.55, AVG FPS= 2975
2nd: Federal Brass, Magpro= 78.3, 215M, COAL= 3.55, AVG FPS= 2970
3rd: Federal Brass, Retumbo= 79.1, 215M, COAL-3.55, AVG FPS= 2997

 

[rw496]

I just finished load development with the 208 amax and H1000 yesterday. After a lot of shooting, I settled on 76.5 grains H1000 out of Norma brass averaging about 2830 fps. After that, I did a seating depth test of 5 shots each starting with .010 off, .015, .020, .025, .030. I already had read that a lot of people like .020 off with the 208, but my rifle showed the best results .030 jump. One thing to think about with the 300 win mag is barrel life with some of these barrel burner loads. Here's mine (there's 5 in there promise):

 

[Rprecision]

I just finished load development with the 208 amax and H1000 yesterday. After a lot of shooting, I settled on 76.5 grains H1000 out of Norma brass averaging about 2830 fps. After that, I did a seating depth test of 5 shots each starting with .010 off, .015, .020, .025, .030. I already had read that a lot of people like .020 off with the 208, but my rifle showed the best results .030 jump. One thing to think about with the 300 win mag is barrel life with some of these barrel burner loads. Here's mine (there's 5 in there promise):

that seems to be a common node, 76.0 is about right for me. Running that bullet anywhere over 2750 gets you to 2k, running a moderate load makes sense

Hey mate, I've been doing a heap of research and reading both sierra, hodgdon, ADI etc and spoken to lots of people about what they do and don't do.

I understand not to go full load straight up and some people have even said don't go compressed loads. But from what hodgdon and sierra ballistics team have said that going to a recommended compressed round is safe and very effective but work up to it like you've said.

Just was trying to see what other people have been running and work out how far below I should start. Should I start 5gr below what it recommends and work up and see what I get or what?

Cheers,
Josh

Again I wasn't trying to treat you like a tool, but you never know who or where the other person is starting.

I use the method of load development called OCW or optimal charge weight. The instructions by Dan Newberry on his web site seems to work well. If your not familiar search optimal charge weight and read his recommendations. Gives a good place to start and helps to avoid wasting time and components.

 

[Yowie]

that seems to be a common node, 76.0 is about right for me. Running that bullet anywhere over 2750 gets you to 2k, running a moderate load makes sense



Again I wasn't trying to treat you like a tool, but you never know who or where the other person is starting.

I use the method of load development called OCW or optimal charge weight. The instructions by Dan Newberry on his web site seems to work well. If your not familiar search optimal charge weight and read his recommendations. Gives a good place to start and helps to avoid wasting time and components.

Yeah no problems mate, rather that then be mislead on the golden path haha

I reckon I'll start off around the 74gr and work up and see what I get then refine it once I find that 5gr area of excellence.

I'll be sure to check out that bloke you were saying about.

 

[Yowie]

I just finished load development with the 208 amax and H1000 yesterday. After a lot of shooting, I settled on 76.5 grains H1000 out of Norma brass averaging about 2830 fps. After that, I did a seating depth test of 5 shots each starting with .010 off, .015, .020, .025, .030. I already had read that a lot of people like .020 off with the 208, but my rifle showed the best results .030 jump. One thing to think about with the 300 win mag is barrel life with some of these barrel burner loads. Here's mine (there's 5 in there promise):

Hey mate, yeah I'll just be playing with powder charges for now. Sounds very technical for me at this stage, I'm sure one of the armoures at work could point me where to go when it comes to adjusting the seating depth and COAL.

I'm going to be using one fire (from my rifle) remington brass and some federal, but found the federal sticky when in the chamber after firing.

 

[Aimsmall55]

I just finished load development with the 208 amax and H1000 yesterday. After a lot of shooting, I settled on 76.5 grains H1000 out of Norma brass averaging about 2830 fps. After that, I did a seating depth test of 5 shots each starting with .010 off, .015, .020, .025, .030. I already had read that a lot of people like .020 off with the 208, but my rifle showed the best results .030 jump. One thing to think about with the 300 win mag is barrel life with some of these barrel burner loads. Here's mine (there's 5 in there promise):

I'd take that and call it a day. No need in improving something that is shooting great!! What's your bbl length ??

 

[rw496]

I'd take that and call it a day. No need in improving something that is shooting great!! What's your bbl length ??

27" 1-11 twist

 

[Yowie]

27" 1-11 twist

Mines 26" 1 in 10.

But it's a good reference point

 

[Yowie]

hey guys,

firstly thanks for all of your feedback and information pointing me in the right direction. I did more research on the 208gr AMAX specifically and ADI (Hodgdon) give us the best velocity and lowest pressure with their 2217 (H1000). Ill be starting off at 75gr and working up to 77gr going up in 0.5gr increments and then once I find a good area work in that until im happy. Ill be conducting my testing at 100m and once ive got what round works best Ill zero my rifle at 300m. I reckon 76-77gr will be the magic mark but looking forward to getting into it.

I wont be going and testing my rounds until I get my McMillan stock mounted onto my rifle so im happy with everything.

Cheers,
Josh

 

[briang7511]

hey guys,

firstly thanks for all of your feedback and information pointing me in the right direction. I did more research on the 208gr AMAX specifically and ADI (Hodgdon) give us the best velocity and lowest pressure with their 2217 (H1000). Ill be starting off at 75gr and working up to 77gr going up in 0.5gr increments and then once I find a good area work in that until im happy. Ill be conducting my testing at 100m and once ive got what round works best Ill zero my rifle at 300m. I reckon 76-77gr will be the magic mark but looking forward to getting into it.

I wont be going and testing my rounds until I get my McMillan stock mounted onto my rifle so im happy with everything.

Cheers,
Josh

Do you have a chrono?

 

[Yowie]

Do you have a chrono?

Will do mate. $160 for them

 

[briang7511]

Will do mate. $160 for them

I meant for you to test with. I found it to be invaluable.

 

[Yowie]

I meant for you to test with. I found it to be invaluable.

Yeah mate I will be getting one just gotta get all my funds for everything

 

[Yowie]

Again I wasn't trying to treat you like a tool, but you never know who or where the other person is starting.

I use the method of load development called OCW or optimal charge weight. The instructions by Dan Newberry on his web site seems to work well. If your not familiar search optimal charge weight and read his recommendations. Gives a good place to start and helps to avoid wasting time and components.

I checked this out and make sense but could find anything on my calibre. But from what I've read here 76gr seems to be the magic number so I'll work around that.