Hornady Match vs A-Max

[valkrider]

As I mentioned before I am new to centerfire and just learning. I have gone thru most of start-up SMK 168 30cal. for my Savage 12BVSS in .308 and a friend asked if I wanted to go to Cabelas, that was a $160.00 mistake. I looked for some A-Max and found none but they did have 168gr Hornady Moly Match. I did buy some and will let you know how it shoots compared to the SMK 168. Just wondering why I hear of folks shooting A-Max but not Hornady Match. Does anyone have experience with it? I sure would like to know what to expect. Thanks for any replies, Valkrider

 

[FroggyOne2]

If your planning on using Varget behind those moly'd bullets.. you may not be able to get enough in the case to get good speed.. moly'd bullets reduce pressure..

 

[Steve Blair]

The Sierra 168 was originally developed as a 300 meter bullet and still works well for that. It has been superseded by newer designs for longer ranges. You might try the Sierra 155 Palma (#2156) or the 175 Matchking (#2275). Both are better ballistically than the much older 168.

A lot of shooters are finding excellent results with Berger's 155.5 Match BT Fullbore (#30416). It is also a fine bullet.

About moly bullets, remember that it takes 20-30 down the tube, after cleaning, before the lower pressure benefits are realized. This Daily Bulletin provides good information on the subject.

 

[jdfletch]

Just wondering why I hear of folks shooting A-Max but not Hornady Match. Does anyone have experience with it?

Valkrider,

AMAX bullets are usually longer and more tapered than their Match weight equivalents. This increases the BC and makes them more suited for long range shooting. Because they produce a longer OAL cartridge, A-MAX bullets are not usually suitable for magazine fed operation. Some people don't like the plastic tip and believe it may cause erratic shots if deformed. My experience does not support this. Overall, shoot the A-MAX if you're single loading and shoot the Match if you need to shoot and reload quickly from a magazine.

Doug

 

[Laurie]

The Sierra 168 was originally developed as a 300 meter bullet and still works well for that. It has been superseded by newer designs for longer ranges. You might try the Sierra 155 Palma (#2156) or the 175 Matchking (#2275). Both are better ballistically than the much older 168.

I agree with Steve on this - the Hornady HPBTM, Nosler Custom Competition and Speer Gold Match 168s are all copies of the 168gn Sierra to a greater or lesser extent, and hence share its strengths and weaknesses. As Steve says, the 168gn Sierra International as it was originally called was a 300 meter design, and it is still a very accurate bullet for this distance. It has acquired an accuracy myth of its own you could say, not harmed by Federal and others loading it in their premium .308W match ammo even now 50 years after its introduction.

For 600yd and further there are better bullets - models that will group as well as the SMK and its clones (subject to the individual barrel liking them) - but are better ballistically so retain velocity at longer ranges and move less in the wind.

The Hornady A-Max bullets have higher BCs than their Match equivalents but all (bar the 208gn A-Max which is a true long-range design) suffer from 15-degree boattail angles which makes them unstable at very long ranges - 800yd and beyond at .308W MVs. This also applies to the 168gn SMK and most of the other 168s.

There are many much better mid and long-range bullets - the new 155s that Steve mentions, the Berger 175 and 185gn Match Target BT Long-Range designs, the 175gn Sierra MK, although it is a good rather than spectacular performer ballistically.

The other thing to note is your barrel's likes and dislikes. Most rifles group better with some makes and models than others. The only way you can find out is by experimenting. Don't go and buy hundreds or 1,000 of one design or another because it works well for others - make sure your rifle likes it. The Sierras are usually a good starting point because they work well in most barrels. I'd try the 175gn model to start with.

Laurie,
York, England