Amax & deer (caution blood)

[Roe]

I've been asked a few times how I find the Amax to behave on small deer.

After 100++ deer with this bullet I'm finding it excellent, I'm quite surprised if the deer walks and if it does it usually leaves a generous bloodtrail for me to follow. The attached pictures are typical.

This film shows a little more effect and bloodtrail

FILM: Amax - there will be blood

 

[40X Guy]

Nice, pretty good wound channel. You must be using the 140 A-max? I like the Barnes TTSX on whitetails and don't like to see them run either.

Frank

 

[Rtheurer]

No wonder you have to shoot small deer...Look at the size of the dern DOG!!!!!!! I would be feeding him deer too. Good Lord what a bruiser.

RT

 

[ed k]

Is that an entrance or exit hole? ED K

 

[300 RUM]

No wonder you have to shoot small deer...Look at the size of the dern DOG!!!!!!! I would be feeding him deer too. Good Lord what a bruiser.

RT

iverson funny things in my life that just made me laugh out loud in the public parking lot

 

[philip140]

Beautifully filmed as always Thomas, the scenery is simply stunning, great moments with the dog too. Best videos on the net for sure!

Phil

 

[300 RUM]

your film was simply amazing the best 10 minutes I've spent this

 

[jbpmidas]

May have been in the video, but what caliber and load data?

I will be trying the A-Max's this fall for whitetail here in Mississippi. I will be trying the 168 out of a .308 Winchester.

 

[Roe]

Thanks guys, glad you found it worth your time. I really enjoy reading this forum so it's ok to be able to give some back.

I forgot completely about calibre. I use a 6,5x284 and shoot the 123gr Amax in this blog. I've used 120gr with same result, but the 123 gr flies noticably better in the wind and gives same velocity. I will be switching to the 140gr Amax now as it is WAY better at extended range and packs a lot more punch out there.

The picture is the exit hole. I like that it gives proper wound channels also when hitting the lungs.

However, ther is a palpable difference in how hard I have to grip the rifle when using the 140gr and 123gr so I might go back to the 123gr due less torque in the rifle. It also got me wondering about a 1:8 twist 243 or 6XC, they should be even more forgiving to shoot.

 

[dtucker]

WOW, what a trail their in the picture. I don't think 1 could go far leaving that much behind. How long was the blood trail that it left?

I've been asked a few times how I find the Amax to behave on small deer.

After 100++ deer with this bullet I'm finding it excellent, I'm quite surprised if the deer walks and if it does it usually leaves a generous bloodtrail for me to follow. The attached pictures are typical.

This film shows a little more effect and bloodtrail

FILM: Amax - there will be blood

 

[CaptainMal]

Those are tiny, tiny deer. I'm not so sure an A-Max would work well on deer over 150 lbs, especially if you hit shoulder bones.

Fine for you as it seems to work.

 

[Roe]

I'm with you Captain Mal. I only occasionally shoot bigger game and then I prefer the Nosler Accubond and Sierra Gameking bullets.

I have several friends who hunt thar and red deer in New Zealand with Amax bullets 6,5mm or larger and they say nothing puts the deer down faster, but it is only "ok inside 200, beware of shot placement"

Provided calibre is 6,5mm or bigger the Amax behaves on small deer (I draw the line at roughly 200 lbs as the sika drops fine) like you would want a proper big game bullet to do on proper big game.

(I've stopped using 6mm's. Love them, but can't be bothered with running deer. Kinda unfair to the 6mm, it was the 6x45 that turned me off and my 243 dropped more or less everything on the spot but was too weak at range)