Can anyone else not get Amax / Vmax to shoot as well as Ballistic Tips?

[GJgo]

I was just thinking about this the other day. Over the years I've tried loading Ballistic Tips vs. Hornady Amax, Vmax, and BTHP. Heck I've even tried Matchkings in most of these rifles. In all cases, the most accurate loads have consistently been with the NBTs! The rifles I've tried these comparos in include 223, 22-250, 6PPC, 270 WSM, 308 (2 of them) & 300 WSM. I'd understand if "different rifles like different bullets" but it's been pretty consistent. What do you guys think?

 

[gamestalker]

I shoot the V-Max through my 7mm RM's and they do just fine. But I'm not really a finicky person when it comes to what I load for high powered, unless it is for big game.

 

[Sidewinder72]

I think the V-max bullet is very hard to beat in my 22-250. Although in 243 the ballistic tips are the king. I believe every rifle is an individual speciman.

 

[MtnCreek]

IME, a finely tuned SMK or A-Max of the proper weight will outshoot a Nosler BT. If shooting any of these at 100yds, I don’t think it would be noticeable.

It's odd that all of your rifles prefer the N BT.

 

[kingmt]

I have no problem with V-Max. I have not given them a good side by side compression except the price tag but I picked the V-Max over them.

 

[Shmackey]

V-Max 110s are like lasers out of my .308.

 

[amlevin]

I find A-max's, B-Tips, and Nos Custom comps to all shoot great in my .308. I have had to work the loads up for each but no issues at all.

Also like the A-max in .55gr .224 for my AR's. Best of all I've tried.

 

[USSR]

I believe 1858 on this site uses the Hornady 178gr Amax bullet in competition. I use it in my .30-06 for deer - Great bullet.

Don

 

[Tim the student]

In the one rifle I have shot both out of, the NBT are very distant - including Vmax, as well as a couple other bullets. They don't shoot really poorly, but others just shoot much better.

 

[dagger dog]

Most of the benchrest guys load flat base HP bullets, they shoot the smallest groups,100-300 yds, the boat tail bullets either FMJ or Ballistic tips have the edge in longer ranges 600-1000 yds, the service rifle, Palma guys,

I don't think there is much accuracy difference in the types of meplats in rifle bullets and I ain't talking about round nose or flat points, just the HPs, FMJs, and plastic ballistic tips.

 

[GJgo]

All this testing for groups I've done at 100/200/300 yds, I've not tried any comparos at longer range. Plus, it's no secret that tangent ogives like the NBT are easier to tune than secant ogives like the Amax. I actually like the 140 amax in my Swede, but I've not compared it to a NBT there because they don't make one in 140.

I was actually pretty suprised when the NBT outshot the Berger FB in my PPC. Where the NBTs usually do better for me is that I don't get flyers that I can't explain. Gives me more confidence that it's going to go where I point it.

 

[TwoWheelFiend]

I've loaded the AMAX's and shot them thu my 700 in 7MM RM with great sucess, they seem to be great shooting bullets. And ive loaded some up for my 700 in .223 with the same results. Ive allways been a big fan of the Sierra Matchkings as well. I'm not one of those guys that tries for weeks to get the smalles group ever.

 

[Damon555]

V-Maxes have shot so well in every rifle I've tried them in that I've never even tried anything else...Prairie dogs hate them and they are a little cheaper than the NBT's.

 

[NuJudge]

I've recently been comparing 168 gr Ballistic Tips to various 168gr match bullets, and at least in the match rifles I've been trying them in, the match bullets do a bit better. Every rifle is a rule unto itself, so they may shoot better for your barrel.

CDD

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I shoot V-Max's out of a .22-250. It shoots 5 shot 100 yard groups will all the shots touching. I don't figure I could do better with any other bullet, so I've never looked further.

 

[tango2echo]

A few weeks back I shot .229" .235 and .330 center to center 3 shot groups at 100 yards (indoor private range, 72f, zero wind, 38ft MSL, 29.85, 2 witnesses) with:

Howa Action
B&C Stock
Long Creek Barrel 26" Heavy contour .308
CDI Bottom Metal w/ AICS conversion
Nightforce NSX 5.5-22X56 HS/ZS
REPR rings and bases

New Lapua Brass
CCI BR2
45.4gr Varget
168gr Amax
2.85 COAL

Get your NBT's to do that and then we'll talk.

t2e

 

[GJgo]

Ok, but I usually shoot 5 shot strings, outdoors, with my heavy barrel sticks...

Looks like I'm the lone ranger with the BT preference!

 

[Tim the student]

Looks like I'm the lone ranger with the BT preference!

Hey, use what works.

 

[nastynatesfish]

been my finding that you have to set the amax long, i load mine .005 of the lands in my 700 7 mag and they are the most accurate. they do better at 300yrds that at 100 though. im trying bergers now but they need a good jump to the lands so im working with them

 

[GJgo]

You know that is one thought I'd had- if I was short changing myself on the VMAX by not trying them out at longer ranges.

 

[918v]

A few weeks back I shot .229" .235 and .330 center to center 3 shot groups at 100 yards (indoor private range, 72f, zero wind, 38ft MSL, 29.85, 2 witnesses) with:

Howa Action
B&C Stock
Long Creek Barrel 26" Heavy contour .308
CDI Bottom Metal w/ AICS conversion
Nightforce NSX 5.5-22X56 HS/ZS
REPR rings and bases

New Lapua Brass
CCI BR2
45.4gr Varget
168gr Amax
2.85 COAL

Get your NBT's to do that and then we'll talk.

t2e

Your load makes my bolt very very sticky.

 

[788Ham]

GJgo,

No, you're not alone on the BT bullets, all I use is Hornady's 52-53 gr. pills, all BTHP's. I have used some A-max, V-max bullets, they shoot good too, but my 788 .223 likes the BTHP's better, 5 rds. @ 100 yds. .366 MOA. Correction: the 53's are flat based, my error.

 

[MCMXI]

I believe 1858 on this site uses the Hornady 178gr Amax bullet in competition. I use it in my .30-06 for deer - Great bullet.

+1 on that!! I've found the 178gr A-MAX and 208gr A-MAX shoot very well out of a .308 Win and .300 Win Mag respectively. We haven't had many F-Class matches this year, but last year I put 15 shots for record (in 15 minutes) into a 2.6" group at 300 yards using a 178gr A-MAX, 44.2gr of Reloder 15, CCI 200 primers and Lapua brass . Our matches take place on a notoriously tough Marine Corps range with variable winds and lots of mirage so you aren't going to see 1/4 MOA groups under these conditions. 1/2 MOA groups are possible but there's lots of room for shooter error with 15 shots. The wind during last Saturday's match was ridiculous! :banghead:

I've shot numerous 5, 7 and 9 shot groups at 100 yards into less than 0.5 MOA using the same load and even smaller groups using my .300 Win Mag. Our practice range is always windy too (variable winds), so it's hard to get a no-wind zero on any rifle.

 

[tango2echo]

Your load makes my bolt very very sticky.

Published maximum is 46.0C. I have never had any pressure issues in any of my .308's with up to 46.0grs of Varget with the 168gr AMAX.

t2e

 

[USSR]

Published maximum is 46.0C. I have never had any pressure issues in any of my .308's with up to 46.0grs of Varget with the 168gr AMAX.

Yeah, but not with Lapua brass. I believe that 46.0gr load is with Winchester brass - big difference in case capacity.

Don