Im posting this question because i did not find much info searching it. Most of the info I found was for AR15's. I only found a few post for bolt guns and they wasnt very detailed. So here is some basic info about the rifle. So I have a custom .223 Remington. It's a true Remington 700 SA, Bartlein 5R 1:8 twist heavy varmint contour finished @ 23", Manners T4 and topped with a Nightforce NXS F1 3.5-15X50. I only have 200 rounds down the barrel. I worked up a load for the 80 grain Sierra Matchking's and it shoots amazing! I just want a target/varmint round to shoot. I'm sure the 75 grain Hornady Amax will do that perfect! My chamber is a .252" no turn neck and .064" free bore. It fits the 80 grain SMK's perfect (the bearing surface/boat tail junction sits directly at the cases neck/shoulder junction). The load is 24.7 grains of Varget, Lapua brass and Federal 205M primers. When I got to 24.7 it shot great so I did not go any higher. This load shows no pressure signs. I jump these bullets .010". I tested a Hornady 75 grain Amax with my Hornady COAL gauge and the bullet sits about the same place as the 80 grain SMK's. So I'm happy with that. I have is Varget and RL15. Also are you guys jamming or jumping these Amax's? Also exactly by how much? Give me as much info as possible please. Thanks fellas!
.223 Remington and 75 grain Hornady Amax load data please
- Thread starter stinnett1981
- Start date
I believe you will find that the same load your using for the 80gr SMK will be real close to what is going to work on the 75gr A Max. I have a warm load of 25gr of Varget with the A Max loaded to the same length as my 80gr SMK load. Makes it very handy. 1:7 twist Douglad 25"
Then my Priarie Dog load is a stout load of AA2520 since its Ballpowder I can load on a progressive press. with 75gr Amax.
Some where between 24 to 25 there will be a good load for ya. My Amax's like to be jumped sometimes a lot like over .080"
Good Luck
Then my Priarie Dog load is a stout load of AA2520 since its Ballpowder I can load on a progressive press. with 75gr Amax.
Some where between 24 to 25 there will be a good load for ya. My Amax's like to be jumped sometimes a lot like over .080"
Good Luck
Your freebore is a bit short for the 75 Amax and your twist rate is marginal. I own a zillon 75 & 80 Amaxes and love them. But I think a 7.7 twist is the minimum you want to use them with. your twist and freebore are perfect for the 80 SMK....use those.
Well I made it out today and did load development with the 75 grain Amax's. They shot flat out awesome! My final load was 24.5 grains of Varget, .010" off jam (which is 2.490" COAL), Lapua brass and a Federal 205M primer.These bullets seat perfectly in the case with .010" off jam. The .064" free bore reamer was a good choice. When I got to 24.5 grains it just put 1 bullet on top of the other! Here is a few pics of some 5 and 10 shot groups @ 100 yards. Thanks for the info fellas.
I realize that there is a little "moss" on this thread but I thought I'd share a load I finalized yesterday.
Load was 26.4 gr of Alliant 2000MR under a Hornady 75 gr A-max. Case was LC 13 primed with BR-4.
Jump of .020" in a Benchmark 26", 1:7, 3 groove, MTU profiled barrel.
A 5 shot group that might have been a little tighter if it hadn't have been for the 14 mph wind gusts (as measured @ 50 yards.)
Since I'm shooting this bullet in a Rem 700 action I may just remove the spacer from the internal magazine, modify the bolt stop, and feed it from the magazine rather than just single loading. This bullet has a nice, high, BC and if my speed is anywhere near what Alliant publishes (2953 @26.4 gr) it should stay supersonic beyond 1K yards. Better yet, it's a "dime cheaper" than the 77 gr SMK on a per bullet basis when purchased in bulk packs. 8)
Load was 26.4 gr of Alliant 2000MR under a Hornady 75 gr A-max. Case was LC 13 primed with BR-4.
Jump of .020" in a Benchmark 26", 1:7, 3 groove, MTU profiled barrel.
A 5 shot group that might have been a little tighter if it hadn't have been for the 14 mph wind gusts (as measured @ 50 yards.)
Since I'm shooting this bullet in a Rem 700 action I may just remove the spacer from the internal magazine, modify the bolt stop, and feed it from the magazine rather than just single loading. This bullet has a nice, high, BC and if my speed is anywhere near what Alliant publishes (2953 @26.4 gr) it should stay supersonic beyond 1K yards. Better yet, it's a "dime cheaper" than the 77 gr SMK on a per bullet basis when purchased in bulk packs. 8)
Brians356
Gold $$ Contributor
I just went to Hornady's site, and cannot get a definitive answer - Are A-Max bullets suitable for hunting?
Most manufacturers state clearly when a bullet is for match shooting only, otherwise they will describe terminal performance and talk about expansion, weight retention etc. But for A-Max they talk about accuracy, but do not mention hunting one way or another. At least not that I can find.
Since they also sell "Match" bullets, it seems like A-Max could be considered a hunting bullet. Obviously an A-max will kill something, but I just was looking for Hornady's clear position on its intended application.
Most manufacturers state clearly when a bullet is for match shooting only, otherwise they will describe terminal performance and talk about expansion, weight retention etc. But for A-Max they talk about accuracy, but do not mention hunting one way or another. At least not that I can find.
Since they also sell "Match" bullets, it seems like A-Max could be considered a hunting bullet. Obviously an A-max will kill something, but I just was looking for Hornady's clear position on its intended application.
In my Tikka T3, 26.2 gr 2000MR, 75 gr Amax, Lapua brass, BR4 primer, is clocking 2885 fps out of a 23" barrel. Less than 3/8" vertical at 300 yds. With my rifle, I've got a really good node at 26.0 to 26.4 gr. The 2000MR seems to burn cooler.
Wish someone out there had some 260 AI data with 4000MR.
Bruce
Wish someone out there had some 260 AI data with 4000MR.
Bruce
brians356 said:
It's my belief that Hornady intended the 75 gr A-Max to be a match bullet rather than hunting. That said, there are a lot of hunters that use this bullet to drop coyotes and smaller deer with regularity.
Can't use it in my State as a hunting round as there is a "24 caliber minimum" for game animals. Pests and Varmints don't seem to complain though.
When you look at a cross section of the bullet it's pretty clear it is merely a match type HP with a ballistic tip added. The jacket material is also a lot thinner than one would expect for a hunting bullet that needs penetration.
For your own answer, line up a few milk jugs filled with water and fire a round into them. One of the jugs should trap the bullet. Just look at it and decide if it went through enough jugs and expanded to your satisfaction
Brians356
Gold $$ Contributor
Thanks.
I'm not interested in its actual terminal performance, I'm interested in how Hornady describes its terminal performance (they don't) and how they stipulate its intended applications (they don't.) Just thought I'd missed it something.
Seems very odd that they are so vague about that particular bullet. It's about the only explanation I can come up, but perhaps they don't want to say it's not for game because it will limit sales. Bullet makers normally go out of their way to discourage people from using match or varmints bullets on game. It's the quickest way for their reputations to get tarnished - fairly or unfairly.
I'm not interested in its actual terminal performance, I'm interested in how Hornady describes its terminal performance (they don't) and how they stipulate its intended applications (they don't.) Just thought I'd missed it something.
Seems very odd that they are so vague about that particular bullet. It's about the only explanation I can come up, but perhaps they don't want to say it's not for game because it will limit sales. Bullet makers normally go out of their way to discourage people from using match or varmints bullets on game. It's the quickest way for their reputations to get tarnished - fairly or unfairly.
The 75's should do well for varmints and smaller whitetail. The HPBT version is a better hog bullet. The 52/53's were spectacular on little critters, but I wouldn't use them on deer. Too frangible.
I've used the 155 gr .308 on deer and for a broadside/slight angling shot the work well, expanding faster than the SST. Initial expansion similar to the Berger but not as long of a wound channel.
If I have the time and can properly place the shot, I don't have a problem using the Amax.
Bruce
I've used the 155 gr .308 on deer and for a broadside/slight angling shot the work well, expanding faster than the SST. Initial expansion similar to the Berger but not as long of a wound channel.
If I have the time and can properly place the shot, I don't have a problem using the Amax.
Bruce
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