Hornady A-max too long?

[M-1]

Okay second time reloading for my 308 bolt gun. I got all of it figured out except the OAL. I am doing two batches of bullets, first being Sierra 168g matchking and the second being the hornady 168 A-max. I want to see which one is better in my gun. The problem is that Sierra manual calls for a 2.800 OAL, which is great, but the A-max has the plastic tip which makes it go into the case deeper. Will that raise the pressure? Does the Hornady manual call for a different OAL? BTW I am using 42g of Vargat.
Thanks,

[dingos]

buy a comperator and measure the C.O.A.L of the SMK from the ogive, then seat the A-max's to the same length, with the comperator, measured from the ogive. Make a "dummy" round using this method and chamber the round to make sure it functions correctly. I'm sure there are other guys here that know tons that will pitch in info. I would start there. Or buy a hornady loading manual

[FLIGHT762]

You will be fine @2.800" with the 168 A MAX with 42.0 grains of Varget.

[BigBronco]

You have no way of knowing if the COL is too long unless you have measured the distance to your lands and grooves in your specific bolt gun.

[J-cat]

Your pressure will depend on case volume, powder charge weight, and OAL.

Yes, the A-max is longer, will sit deeper, and raise pressures over the SMK. However, due to case volume differences that 42gr load will be a starting load in a Winchester case or a near max load in a Federal case.

What brass are you using?

[choprzrul]

Browning A Bolt II, 300 Win. Mag would not print 208 grain Amax. I suspect that they were too long for tbe twist.

Just an fyi in case you can't get under 6" groups....

.

[J-cat]

He's using a 168 A-max, not a 208.

[damndave]

The pressure will be fine with a 2.8" OAL and 42gr Varget. IIRC a ax load with a 168gr bullet and Varget is 46gr. I think my sweet spot on the R700 was in the range of 44-44.4gr Varget in a Federal (FC) case with zero pressure signs. Anything above 44gr will be a compressed load.

[J-cat]

The max of 46grs of Varget is only for Winchester commercial brass. It has the most case capacity. If you're using FC or LC or other NATO brass the max is @ 44grs.

[Bastard]

IIRC max loads with Varget are compresses loads - as for COAL I would run it .020 off the lands till you get your charge weight and then fine tune it by adjusting the COAL.

[tiller]

Are you even going to do a latter test? Theres no point in worrying about what bullets you shoot if your just going to use a generic load

[stevec223]

The hornady book lists the OAL for 168gr a-max for .308 at 2.800.... Cheers...

[stevec223]

P.S...... Hornady book lists varget ----min. 35.5gr and 42.7 max. For 168gr A Max bullet in 308...

[hermosabeach]

Are you single loading the rounds or are you feeding from the magazine?

I have some hornady loads that are AWESOMELY accurate but the OAL prevents them from being loaded into the magazine....

The AMAX round can be a funny one to load.... If you are using a magazine, determine what will fit in the magazine as art of the OAL issue...

just my $0.02

[damndave]

P.S...... Hornady book lists varget ----min. 35.5gr and 42.7 max. For 168gr A Max bullet in 308...

Lyman 49th shows a start of 41gr and max 45.7gr
Hodgdon shows a start of 41gr and max of 45gr