168 amax in .308win
- Thread starter xhodzax
- Start date
Simple answer - don't use this bullet at this range. Alongside the 168gn Sierra MK, Speer 168 GM, 168 Nosler CC, and 168gn Hornady BT Match, it has an overly steep boattail angle that is likely to cause it to become unstable at around 850 yards at .308W MVs.
Use a 155gn bullet (other than the A-Max), preferably the new Sierra MK (#2156), the 155.5gn Berger Target BT FULLBORE, or the Lapua Scenar.
Or .... the 175gn Sierra MK, 190gn models or heavier (but not the 180gn model); Berger 175 or 185gn Target BT Long-Range models (superb in .308W).
You don't say what the rifle is, barrel length, or twist rate, or the discipline you're shooting. There are heavier bullets than 190gn with impressive BCs that can be driven fast enough in the right rig, but there are barrel length, twist rate and recoil issues associated with them.
Have at look at:
http://www.appliedballisticsllc.com/index_files/Articles.htm
articles by Bryan Litz on the 155s. (Bryan knows more about long-range rifle bullet ballistics than anyone else around in the business, and also happens to be Berger Bullets ballistician these days.)
and
http://riflemansjournal.blogspot.com/
German Salazar's Rifleman's Blogspot and scroll through the articles looking for features on bullets for .308W and .30-06 in competition. This is one very knowledgeable guy.
Finally, I've written a series on loading the .308W in the free UK online magazine:
http://www.targetshooter.co.uk/
which goes into bullet suitability and features in extensive (boring!) depth for long-range shooting. The series is finished now, but is available for download from the archived issues section.
Berger Bullets used to have a good article on its website about choosing thirty calibre bullets but it seems to have been removed.
Believe me, you want to get the right bullet before you start choosing powders and loads for shooting at this range with this cartridge - it'll save you a lot of money, time and heartache!
Let us know a bit more about the kit you're using and people on the forum will give you good advice.
Finally, I'd strongly recommend Bryan Litz's book 'Applied Ballistics for Long range Shooting' - stockists are on his Applied Ballistics website. For the price of a box of bullets, this is the best advice and information you'll find anywhere on the subject including a detailed report on 175 long-range match and hunting bullets in .22 through .338 calibres.
Laurie,
York, England
Use a 155gn bullet (other than the A-Max), preferably the new Sierra MK (#2156), the 155.5gn Berger Target BT FULLBORE, or the Lapua Scenar.
Or .... the 175gn Sierra MK, 190gn models or heavier (but not the 180gn model); Berger 175 or 185gn Target BT Long-Range models (superb in .308W).
You don't say what the rifle is, barrel length, or twist rate, or the discipline you're shooting. There are heavier bullets than 190gn with impressive BCs that can be driven fast enough in the right rig, but there are barrel length, twist rate and recoil issues associated with them.
Have at look at:
http://www.appliedballisticsllc.com/index_files/Articles.htm
articles by Bryan Litz on the 155s. (Bryan knows more about long-range rifle bullet ballistics than anyone else around in the business, and also happens to be Berger Bullets ballistician these days.)
and
http://riflemansjournal.blogspot.com/
German Salazar's Rifleman's Blogspot and scroll through the articles looking for features on bullets for .308W and .30-06 in competition. This is one very knowledgeable guy.
Finally, I've written a series on loading the .308W in the free UK online magazine:
http://www.targetshooter.co.uk/
which goes into bullet suitability and features in extensive (boring!) depth for long-range shooting. The series is finished now, but is available for download from the archived issues section.
Berger Bullets used to have a good article on its website about choosing thirty calibre bullets but it seems to have been removed.
Believe me, you want to get the right bullet before you start choosing powders and loads for shooting at this range with this cartridge - it'll save you a lot of money, time and heartache!
Let us know a bit more about the kit you're using and people on the forum will give you good advice.
Finally, I'd strongly recommend Bryan Litz's book 'Applied Ballistics for Long range Shooting' - stockists are on his Applied Ballistics website. For the price of a box of bullets, this is the best advice and information you'll find anywhere on the subject including a detailed report on 175 long-range match and hunting bullets in .22 through .338 calibres.
Laurie,
York, England
Laurie is quite right. I like the big Berger 210 BT-LR but you must have the twist (Berger says 11", I prefer 10") and a bit of barrel for velocity. You can also use a little slower powder than with lighter bullets. For an all-around bullet, Laurie's suggestion of the Berger 185 BT-LR is really tough to beat. If you have a 12" twist or tighter .308 that will not shoot this bullet well, look for other causes.
xhodzax,
I would listen to what these guys are saying about the amax. The reason I say this is because I shoot the 168 Amax too. It shoots great out of my 12 twist 30" barrel, but I get a lot of fliers, more than normal with other bullets. Now this great shooting, .3s and .4s are at 100 yards, groups open up a lot more at 200, more than they should.
I took quite a few of them out of the same box and measured them from where they contact the rifling, with a Stony Point Gauge, to the base and their was a lot of differences. Berger and Sierra are much more the same.
I shoot them because I got quite a few of them at a steal. I shoot them for fun, plinking on paper, at 100, but I would not compete with them or shoot them at distance.
Good luck
I would listen to what these guys are saying about the amax. The reason I say this is because I shoot the 168 Amax too. It shoots great out of my 12 twist 30" barrel, but I get a lot of fliers, more than normal with other bullets. Now this great shooting, .3s and .4s are at 100 yards, groups open up a lot more at 200, more than they should.
I took quite a few of them out of the same box and measured them from where they contact the rifling, with a Stony Point Gauge, to the base and their was a lot of differences. Berger and Sierra are much more the same.
I shoot them because I got quite a few of them at a steal. I shoot them for fun, plinking on paper, at 100, but I would not compete with them or shoot them at distance.
Good luck
I also agree with Laurie's analysis of the choices. For a 24" barrel, where you're somewhat limited in MV, you really have to maximize the BC of the bullet.
Given the barrel's standard throat length, I would try the 185 Berger or the 190 VLD Berger for 1000 yards. When the time comes to rebarrel the rifle, if 1000 yard shooting has caught your fancy, consider a 28" to 30" barrel, still 1:10" and with a slightly longer throat, that will really open up your options in bullet choice.
Given the barrel's standard throat length, I would try the 185 Berger or the 190 VLD Berger for 1000 yards. When the time comes to rebarrel the rifle, if 1000 yard shooting has caught your fancy, consider a 28" to 30" barrel, still 1:10" and with a slightly longer throat, that will really open up your options in bullet choice.
Upgrades & Donations
This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.