7mm 162 Amax vs Berger 168 VLD seat depth sensitivities

[Ironworker]

Are A max bullets less sensitive to seating depth then Berger VLDs ? Out of my 7mmWSM 139gr SST shoots far better touching the lands then 168gr Berger VLDs. At least it was much easier to find a accurate load with the SST then Berger VLD. In fact haven't found a suitable load with the 168gr VLD yet. Any how running low of SSTs thinking of buying some 162gr Amaxs . Used for shooting steel at extended ranges .

 

[wooger]

I can't speak as to whether they are less sensitive, but they group well in my 7 SAUM and I am also struggling with the 168's.

 

[trailrider121]

Read this from Berger:


Getting the Best Precision and Accuracy from VLD bullets in Your Rifle

Solution

The following has been verified by numerous shooters in many rifles using bullets of different calibers and weights. It is consistent for all VLD bullets. What has been discovered is that VLD bullets shoot best when loaded to a COAL that puts the bullet in a “sweet spot”. This sweet spot is a band .030 to .040 wide and is located anywhere between jamming the bullets into the lands and .150 jump off the lands.

Note: When discussing jam and jump I am referring to the distance from the area of the bearing surface that engages the rifling and the rifling itself. There are many products that allow you to measure these critical dimensions. Some are better than others. I won’t be going into the methods of measuring jam and jump. If you are not familiar with this aspect of reloading it is critically important that you understand this concept before you attempt this test.

Many reloaders feel (and I tend to agree) that meaningful COAL adjustments are .002 to .005. Every once in a while I might adjust the COAL by .010 but this seems like I am moving the bullet the length of a football field. The only way a shooter will be able to benefit from this situation is to let go of this opinion that more than .010 change is too much (me included).

Trying to find the COAL that puts you in the sweet spot by moving .002 to .010 will take so long the barrel may be worn out by the time you sort it out if you don’t give up first. Since the sweet spot is .030 to .040 wide we recommend that you conduct the following test to find your rifles VLD sweet spot.

Load 24 rounds at the following COAL if you are a target competition shooter who does not worry about jamming a bullet:
1. .010 into (touching) the lands (jam) 6 rounds
2. .040 off the lands (jump) 6 rounds
3. .080 off the lands (jump) 6 rounds
4. .120 off the lands (jump) 6 rounds

Load 24 rounds at the following COAL if you are a hunter (pulling a bullet out of the case with your rifling while in the field can be a hunt ending event which must be avoided) or a competition shooter who worries about pulling a bullet during a match:
1. .010 off the lands (jump) 6 rounds
2. .050 off the lands (jump) 6 rounds
3. .090 off the lands (jump) 6 rounds
4. .130 off the lands (jump) 6 rounds

Shoot 2 (separate) 3 shot groups in fair conditions to see how they group. The remarkable reality of this test is that one of these 4 COALs will outperform the other three by a considerable margin. Once you know which one of these 4 COAL shoots best then you can tweak the COAL +/- .002 or .005. Taking the time to set this test up will pay off when you find that your rifle is capable of shooting the VLD bullets very well (even at 100 yards).

Regards,
Eric Stecker
Master Bulletsmith


I found that my VLD hunting bullets shot best at .050" off the lands with minor bullet depth adjustment.

 

[Ironworker]

Is the Amax considered a VLD bullet ?

 

[ThunderDownUnder]

Yes!
VLD = Very Low Drag and the 162gr Amax with its long secant ogive radius of 16 calibers qualifies.

Ian

 

[Brad from ND]

I shoot 162 A-max's out of my 7 WSM. They like to be .005 off the lands in my gun. I've been thinking of trying the new 162 BTHP though. I've heard nothing but good things about them.

 

[wooger]

I've tried backing Berger VLD's off the lands as suggested but it didn't help me find what I was looking for. They still work best for me +.010 from touch. The A max was more precise at the same position.

 

[sendero72]

I'm new to the forum and is my first post. I have tried the Berger in both my 7 mag and 243 using the 168 and 105 with terrible results. Total of 300 rds. Switch to a 162 A-max using 72gr of H-1000, Fed G215GM, seated .010 off the lands. This will group .25 or less at 100yds. As for the 243 win I'm currently working on a promising load with 43gr of Superformance with 105 A-max. For me the Amax is a lot cheaper and easier to work with and from what I've read on other forums, the Amax will compete with with the Berger for long range hunting. My whitetail season opens in 3 weeks so hopefully I'll know soon.

 

[canuck]

I shoot 162 amax, 168 berger and 180 berger out of my 7mm SAUM . I find the Amax is relatively easy to tune and very accurate BUT they can very from lot to lot. The Bergers are a pain in the *** to tune but are more consistant.Both H1000 and RL25 are very very good powders in the 7mmSAUM.

 

[jsimonh]

I never could get the 168's to shoot out of my old 7RM, but the A-max did just fine. I've had the best results with the Berger Hybrids. I plan on using the Hybrid extensively in my .284 build when its done.

 

[FroggyOne2]

I had a really really good F-Class shooter (Whom I will not name, but if you use your head) say that if it weren't for having so many of the Hybred bullets to shoot, he would be using nothing but the 7mm 162gr AMax.

 

[model 12 toby]

I've had excellent results with the a-max out of my rm. 3.5 inch 3 shot groups at 770 yards. I seat them -.020 off the lands. around 3000 fps. only 9.5 tw. I've tried other bullets. for what I have no idea.

 

[jacksaligari]

What re some off the good batch numbers off the 162 amax in America that have been shooting well I've just started trying them over here and they seem to be grouping better than 168 smk's
Cheers jack

 

[skyking]

I shoot nothing but the Bergers. All in 7mm 168, 180 in 6 different wsm's, one SAUM AI, and one Rem mag. The Rem Mag shoots 168 touching to +.005 in. Wsm shoot the 180's good from touching to +.010 in. Same as the SAUM. Touching to .010 i can always find the sweet spot. Using Retumbo and H1000.