NOSLER vs HORNADY

[as1soldier]

Can I ask for opinion / experiences reloading and shooting performance of NOSLER and HORNADY projectiles...........in 308 win.
I'm currently in the process of reloading both Nosler 168g ballistic tip hunting and also Hornady 168g A-Max.

I know the 175g Sierra Match King is the duck's guts for performance at 1000m+, with a great BC and still supersonic at these extended ranges - but clearly no good for hunting purposes.

I'm hoping for reliable results out to 800m. Hunting and target. I didn't want to go too heavy and sacrifice velocity, I thought 168g was a good compromise.

Thoughts?

[josh308rem]

I'm using nosler custom comp in 155gr and 175 grain with awesome results on pigs and they destroy foxes. People assume they are no good. .. look at Berger's bullets all hollow point boat tails and great for hunting performance. It's not like you will be shooting an elk here in Oz and a 175 matchking will handle anything you throw it at!

[as1soldier]

thanks josh

[Gregg]

It's not like you will be shooting an elk here in Oz and a 175 matchking will handle anything you throw it at!

At normal hunting/stalking distances that might be true enough but OP did say he's looking to get out to 800m with this.

Won't make a difference for varmints and small game but the energy it's carrying will have really dropped off by 800m.

100m 2,300 ft lbs energy
400m 1,500 ft lbs energy
800m 750 ft lbs energy

At the far end of what we're talking about IMO bullet construction has become important.

The heavy ballistic tip have good enough BC and are designed for hunting.

A-Max are offered as match bullets, people report good results hunting with them but at more typically distances of 100m - 300m. I really couldn't comment for using them out to 800m.

Game King are proven hunting bullets, their 165gr and 180gr boat tails boast good figures.

[handofcod]

Give the A-Max a go. From Nathan Foster's blog on 308win:

The 168 grain A-Max is a reliable, wide wounding, fast killing bullet, down to velocities of 1400fps. From an MV of 2670fps at minimum, this equates to 800 yards. Nevertheless, generally speaking, it is difficult to ensure fast clean killing on game past 650 yards due to the effects of wind drift on the .308 Winchester cartridge. Using the .308 and A-Max past 650 yards requires great skill.

http://www.ballisticstudies.com/Knowled ... +NATO.html

[Lorgar]

I can weigh in on all of these.

I've used the following:

In .308
Ballistic Tip in 150gr, 165gr and 168gr
A-Max in 155gr and 168gr.
Sierra 155gr MatchKings

Also used the BT and MatchKings in .243 and 7mm.

Personally I'm a big fan of the ballistic tips. I've never taken any out to 800m (not seriously anyway) but they have a relatively high BC for longer range. Having pulled them out of everything from meat at a few hundred metres to tree stumps at 50m I can say the weight retention and expansion is good and I've gotten less than half inch groups out of them in all calibres.

A-Max probably have the edge on range and energy but I found a lot less of them left on the receiving end. Like Gregg said they are a target bullet, beyond that I don't know exactly what the make up is but they weren't made with hunting in mind. I'm not knocking them but I wouldn't recommended them over the BT.

MatchKing, the same as above. Sierra even boast thin jackets as a feature of the bullet. I can't say they fill me with confidence for extreme range hunting.


Not that you asked but some other favourites of mine.

Sierra Pro-Hunters. Very accurate (I found more than their Game and Match Kings) out to 300m and damaging. BC isn't real high though so not suitable for your longer ranges.

Hornady SST. Great hunting bullet all round, accurate, good price too and comparable to the A-Max for BC.

The lightest option is heavier than you want but another option from Nosler is the Accubond Long Range. The Accubond expansion and weight retention is the best of any bullet I've used, period. Crazy high BC for hunting bullets too, e.g. 0.640 from a 190gr bullet. Just don't ask what the price is per bullet.

[as1soldier]

Thanks guys, great responses

[SendIt]

What're you hunting at 800m as1?

[as1soldier]

More than likely targets...............I think I'd only be keen for humane kills up to 500m. Further than that is maybe questionable.

[sarki]

For consistent humane kills, definitely not a guaranteed thing at that distance.

[Monty]

I think I'd only be keen for humane kills up to 500m.

If those 168gr you're loading meet the accuracy demands they're suitable for 500m.

Provided you do your part for accuracy and shot placement of course.

[as1soldier]

Well, the rifle (Savage 10FP) is good for 10mm groups at 100m. Yes, if I do my part - I should have 50mm group at 500m. Easier said than done tho.........

[Bourt]

If I had a dollar for everything that "should" have happened and didn't I'd be a rich man

[bobnob]

I've been using the 168g Amax out to 750y and very impressed with their accuracy out of my 308.

The 168g Ballistic Tip will do the same thing, but cost 50% more (at least).

The 155g Scenars are the next I'll be trying when my 168g Amax supply runs short. They have a comparable BC but can be fired at higher velocity. They are generally cheaper than the Nosler BT as well.

[as1soldier]

thanks

[Timb0]

A while ago I bought some 168gr .30cal Hornady Zmax, 500 for a good price I thought. I'm not sure about a 168gr varmint bullet but they were very accurate in load testing. I wondered if they were just a 168 Amax with a green tip. Anyway I'm taking them out the weekend after this one, so I will see how they go.
Another hornady .30cal bullet I thought was good is the 165gr sst. Very accurate both in my 308 and the 95gr .243. Bit tougher than some other ballistic tipped bullets it seems.
I quite like the hornady 178gr match better than the 175gr MK something I changed over to in the last six months maybe. Quite a good BC also and cheaper.

[bobnob]

Yep they're Amaxes mate.

[Bourt]

I've been using the 168g Amax out to 750y and very impressed with their accuracy out of my 308.

On paper or game bob?

[bobnob]

Only on targets in the 308 at that range.

Have used them on pigs in my 30-06 though and the performance was very very good. MV about 2900fps.

[Tiiger]

Just curious but are the A-Max and Z-Max the same price?

I hope people aren't paying more because they say zombie on the box.

[VICHunter]

Maybe green dye is more expensive than red dye

[Timb0]

I think for a box of 100, 168gr Amax are about $55 where I buy them. So $159 for 500 168gr Zmax is fairly cheap to me.

[Davies]

Sounds normal.

[Timb0]

Sounds normal.

Where at? If it's interstate do they mail order ?

[scrolllock]

Best place I've found for projectiles here in Victoria is Abelas at Thornbury. They'll send them I'm pretty sure.

Otherwise a lot of the guys talk up Magnum Sports in Sydney which definitely mails stuff.