Just loaded up some 168s for my model 70 '06, MKs & AMAXs. 57 & 57.5grs. H4350, Remington match prepped brass(as if thats going to matter). Fed. 210M primers.
Both bullets are about .005-.010" off the lands. MKs 3.285", AMAXs 3.325". Also, loaded up 50grs. RE15 with these 2 bullets.

Still waiting for the H.S. Precision stock to come in. May not get to shoot the thing till next year.
Now, which load combo do guys think may shoot the best? BTW, will be shooting at 300yds. Thanks for your input. Jay

jAY: I would put my money on the matchKings
I like imr 4064 over the 4350.
5 shot 1/2" groups in my 308 and 3/4" in the 06. 100yrds.
i used moly for the 308 and plain for the O6

I'll put a buck on the A-Max's

I'm saying the a-max pills,..them puppies flat out fly straight.

Nobody knows that, it would be nothing but a guess!! You have to shoot about 5 groups with both to determine that.

$2 sez the loads with the RX15.

I'd bet on Sierra. I load 'em, but I use IMR 4895 in 30 calibre ...and they shoot.

quote:

Originally posted by Atkinson:
Nobody knows that, it would be nothing but a guess!! You have to shoot about 5 groups with both to determine that.

Ray, It's just for fun, just passin' time. But, i'm trying to get a consensous on which combo might do it right off the bat. I know it takes about 5, 5 shot groups to determine which load is ultimately going to be the most accurate, but one 3 shot group with each will give me an idea, anyway. The day my son and I go out will be a calm day, he'll be doing the shooting, more than likely, or maybe I'll start with the 57grs. H4350 and he'll take over from there, my neck area has some arthritis and don't particular care about too much recoil, even with my 6mm it starts hurting on the off side of my shoulder after 20 shots or so. Jay

quote:

Originally posted by Jay Gorski:
Just loaded up some 168s for my model 70 '06, MKs & AMAXs. ... H4350,

... MKs 3.285", AMAXs 3.325". Also, loaded up ... RE15 ...

... which load combo do guys think may shoot the best? BTW, will be shooting at 300yds. ...

Hey Jay, Since you mentioned to Ray, "It's just for fun, just passin' time.", then my first thought is since it is a M70, if you are able to hit the Target at all out at 300yds, it will be quite an accomplishment!

I've not tried RL-15 in the 30-06, but the rifles I used it in were inclined toward erratic Pressure. (Same for RL-19, 22 & 25)

Likewise, I've managed to acquire a few FREE BBQ Suppers when using the outstandingly stable, easy to work with H4350 (also H450 which is no longer available and good old H414) in the 30-06.

So, I would not have nearly as much confidence in the RL-15 as the H4350. No desire to take DD's $2 because that won't even get a BBQ sandwich.
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The first box of A-MAX I used was because the local Gun Shop had run out of 30cal 168gr MatchKings(me too) and I wanted to Benchmark a new rifle. I remember looking at them and thinking the A-MAXes must be 180grs because they were so l-o-n-g, but of course they were 168gr as the box said. I found them to be just as accurate for me as the Sierra's had always typically been.

Basically two outstandingly accurate, relatively inexpensive bullets. No idea on which bullet your rifle will like the best between those two, but you can go on and buy an 8# keg of H4350 and save the RL-15 to spread on the garden.

Hotcore, At least RE15 works well in my 708 and 308. Also, Bob at Hornady told me alot of comprtition guys use Varget with the 168Amax, so since I know RE15 is very close to Varget, so maybe I'd give it a try. Oh, and check this out from the reloading page.

Powder
50.0 RELOADER 15
Vel. 2779
Acc. 0.320
SIERRA 168 MATCH KING

Thought I'd give it a try. Jay

Hey Jay, 0.320" is a bragger in anyones book. Nice shooting. Speaks well for the Load, Rifle and the Trigger Yanker.

308Win is what I tried the RL-15 in with 150gr bullets. I had what appeared to be "wider than normal" CHE/PRE in comparison to good old IMR-4064 and Varget.

I've pretty much settled on H380 using just the Starting Loads from the Hodgdon Manual with 168gr bullets in 308Wins. And normally use it with the 165gr Hunting Bullets, with a bit stronger Load.

Best of luck with the Testing.

quote:

Originally posted by Hot Core:
Hey Jay, 0.320" is a bragger in anyones book. Nice shooting. Speaks well for the Load, Rifle and the Trigger Yanker.

308Win is what I tried the RL-15 in with 150gr bullets. I had what appeared to be "wider than normal" CHE/PRE in comparison to good old IMR-4064 and Varget.

I've pretty much settled on H380 using just the Starting Loads from the Hodgdon Manual with 168gr bullets in 308Wins. And normally use it with the 165gr Hunting Bullets, with a bit stronger Load.

Best of luck with the Testing.

HC, That group was more than likely shot by Saeed, and if you checked out the Reloading Page, you'll note that was shot from heavy barreled 26" Hart barrel, Kelby rings, Leupold 6.5-20 scope, etc. etc. Rifle. With my Model 70, factory trigger set at about 2.25lbs, Burris 3-9 FF, soon to be clad with H-S Precision stock, might be able to get in the 4s with 3 shots @100yds., but as I said, I'll be or my son will be shooting at 300, inch and a half will make me happy.
In my 308, I'm shooting 150 Sierra SBTs over 45.5grs. RE15, 3 shots at .968, figure that's not bad for a rifle with a 6x scope, may put a higher power scope on and see if she'll do any better, and then I can try the MKs and Amaxs with it, too. Jay

Just an update. Shot said loads at 300yds myself, shoulder was healed up by the time the range opened. Best group was .863" for the 50grs RE15 and the Amax, MKs with the same powder load went 1.5", H4350 wasnt even close, I wont be using that powder again for 165-168 Bullets again. Jay

I shoot 4350 (H or IMR) in my 30-06, and it performs very well. Regarding the AMAX or MK's, both have performed for me in different 30-06 applications.

Regarding RL15, I have used it, but found as other here did that I got pressure spikes with it. RL 15 IS NOTHING LIKE VARGET! Varget is a marvelously stable and very "linear" powder which I have not found prone to geometric pressure spikes. It was still "flat" well after I had decided discretion was the better part of valor. Kudude

quote:

Originally posted by Atkinson:
Nobody knows that, it would be nothing but a guess!! You have to shoot about 5 groups with both to determine that.

make that 5 5shot groups. with the same load and rest etc. and average the 5 groups size out then you'll know whats better

quote:

Originally posted by Paul from nz:

quote:

Originally posted by Atkinson:
Nobody knows that, it would be nothing but a guess!! You have to shoot about 5 groups with both to determine that.

make that 5 5shot groups. with the same load and rest etc. and average the 5 groups size out then you'll know whats better

I usually use 3 shot groups with heavier recoiling rifles. All together I did shoot 3 3 shot groups with both, now let me go downstairs and start measuring the groups again to get it right, that .863" group already has the MK way in the hole.

quote:

Originally posted by Jay Gorski:
...Shot said loads at 300yds myself, ...Best group was .863" for the 50grs RE15 and the Amax,

Hey Jay, Man-O-Man, that is some right fine shooting. I'm a bit surprised the "RL" powder did so well, but I've had some fine groups with those Amax Bullets too.

I agree with 3-shot groups, but actually prefer cumulative 1-shot groups from a pristine clean, lightly lubed Bore, cause that is the way I Hunt.

Best of luck to you.

Thank much, HC! I measured all my groups and found H4350 didnt shoot as bad as I thought. The best it shot was 2 5/8th" with 57.5grs h4350 and the Amax, had a great group going with 57grs and had the 3rd shot go way right about 5" off of the other 2 shots, but a backup group yielded a 3.5" group.

Found I shot only 2 groups with the MK & RE15 load @300 yds. and they averaged 2.65", the Amax/RE15 combo went 1.996" for 3 groups.

Will be also testing a load consisting of 56.3grs IMR4350, 210M, Rem brass/168MK in the spring. Loaded the last of the 9 shells last night. matched prepped all of them, btw. This load may beat them all, we shall see.

Hey Jay, The "fun of the Hunt" for a great load is shared by many here. Best of luck on the quest for the Best Load.
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By the way, I went back and flipped through some "old" 308Win data and noticed some pretty good groups with "RL-15" in my Wby U-Lt. But..., they were not at a SAFE MAX. And certainly not like the 300yd 0.863" group you got.

I was using 150gr Hot-Cor Bullets which I've found to be a "bit" less accurate than the Amax.