.224' 80 A-Max

[Flybuster]

Hey guys, I was doing some research on this bullet, but couldn't come up with much info through searches. I ordered up some 80grain A-Max for a new 22-250 project. The 75 A-Maxs shoot well for alot of people. Anybody have anything good to say about the 80 grainer?

 

[DukeDuke]

I shoot them in my AR and just like all a-max, they are perfect!

 

[1000yardstare]

Used both 75 and 80 AMax in a .223 with an 8 twist 30 inch MacLennon barrel for F Class competition. Found that in my particular rifle 80 MKings were more accurate at 600 and 1000 yards, mainly because I could drive the MKing faster than the AMax. Both AMaxs have a very thin jacket which will deform when seated over a compressed powder charge. My preferred load in the .223 is a compressed charge of W760 or H380 to get max velocity. The tough MKing jacket does not deform over a compressed load. I had to back the powder charge off with the AMax to avoid deformation which generates a lower velocity with the AMax. But then again you are using a .22-250 so a compressed powder charge may not be a factor in that cartridge. The 80 AMax is a long bullet so your chamber throating and hence OAL and hence protrusion of the bullet base below the case shoulder will be a determining factor.

 

[Flybuster]

Great, thanks for the feedback guys. I thought that they were thinner just like the V-Max varmint bullets, and your post makes me wonder if that will create a problem at the higher rpm/velocities of the 22-250. Hopefully I don't have to slow them way down just to keep them together. I only ordered 1200 to try out in this new Bartlien 5-R gain twist. I will have the gun throated specifically for this bullet and cross my fingers.

 

[jadams]

I've used them in a .22 x 47 Lapua at the NBRSA 600 Nationals in Sacramento, Ca. I shoot them at 3325. Although I use the Berger 80 vld more frequently, the hornady 80 A-Max is capable of sub 2' groups at 600. I used the Hornady A-Max this last weekend in a 200 thru 600 yard match and if I had not cross fired one shot I would have won the match.
John

 

[Flybuster]

Nice shooting! Thanks for your report, that clears up my concern about the bullets ability to hold up. I also plan on shooting the Berger 80VLDs in this rifle. I am designing this rifle to be used on live varmints, as well as varmint matches with mid range shooting in mind. I think the A-Max will deliver superior expansion compared to SMKs or VLD's on varmints. But in varmint silhouette matches 80-VLDs would be perfect.

I have a dummy round made up with the 80 A-Max in place, there is plenty of room in my magazine with the bullets boatail junction above the neck junction.

Just out of curiosity what powder are you using in your .22x47L with the 80 grain bullets?

 

[chino1969]

Hey guys, I was doing some research on this bullet, but couldn't come up with much info through searches. I ordered up some 80grain A-Max for a new 22-250 project. The 75 A-Maxs shoot well for alot of people. Anybody have anything good to say about the 80 grainer?

I use the 80 grn. A-Maxes in my .22-250 A.I. with RL-22. This combo. delivers excellent accuracy and does very well on PA groundhogs. I've shot quite a few groundhogs this summer at distances ranging from 200 to 400 yds. Examining the unlucky rodents after they have been hit show me these bullets to be very effective. Their performance so impressed me I bought a bulk amount of 500 rds. I'll continue to use these bullets for the remainder of the summer for the longer distance shots.

This barrel is a 1 in 8' Kreiger with a .250 dia. neck. I had the barrel throated for this bullet. I have an identical Kreiger chambered at the same time ready to screw on when this barrel is shot out. I love Ackleys and accept the fact that barrels shoot out more quickly.

Lou Baccino

 

[Flybuster]

Lou, I had considered the 22-250A.I. but I wasn't sure of the A-Max would hold up to velocities/RPMs the faster A.I. would deliver, I didn't want to push my luck.

This rifle will be a low volume gun for the most part, and not heated up too much. It will be used for Rockchucks, Coyotes and an occasional varmint match. But the high velocity 22's are notorious for fire cracking barrels, which will shred these thin bullets.

The results that you are getting sound good on those ground hogs. They are grouping sub 2' at 600 for Mr.Adams, they sound like a bullet you can't go wrong with.

The price is definitely right on them too. Thanks, Tanner

 

[JERRYHM]

I believe the 80 amax will group under one inch at 600 yards.

Wind got my last shot.

 

[jadams]

Jerry: you are my hero. 'Great shooting' Proves my point that the .224 80 gr A-max is a gooood bullet.
John

 

[Flybuster]

A picture is worth a thousand words. I am convinced now that they are a very consistent bullet, and to think some people don't consider them a true match bullet. I think those California shooters have proven otherwise.

 

[DukeDuke]

I believe the 80 amax will group under one inch at 600 yards.

Wind got my last shot.

Respect commending target, for sure! How did you get them over 3000fps, is what I wanna know!

 

[chino1969]

Lou, I had considered the 22-250A.I. but I wasn't sure of the A-Max would hold up to velocities/RPMs the faster A.I. would deliver, I didn't want to push my luck.

This rifle will be a low volume gun for the most part, and not heated up too much. It will be used for Rockchucks, Coyotes and an occasional varmint match. But the high velocity 22's are notorious for fire cracking barrels, which will shred these thin bullets.

The results that you are getting sound good on those ground hogs. They are grouping sub 2' at 600 for Mr.Adams, they sound like a bullet you can't go wrong with.

The price is definitely right on them too. Thanks, Tanner

Tanner,
I try to always examine my shots when using a new bullet. The groundhogs I've shot with the A-Max have had large exit wounds and the bullet performance reminds me of the V-Max. The beautiful thing about the A-Max is the high ballistic coefficient along with terminal performance.

Lou Baccino