Anyone have experience with 180 gr. Hornady V-Max on game? I'm off to Tajikistan in Nov. and I'm in my prehunt tinkering mode.

In 30 caliber?

Yes,.308 I guess they're 178 gr

You can get an A-max in that calibre and weight, but not a V-Max that I know of.

I've never hunted sheep or Ibex; but if you want a bullet that sets up fast then the A-Max will do that.

You will not get an exit obviously.

What about an Accubond LR?

Still tinkering with the Accubond LR's. Can't get the accuracy I'm looking for (1- 1 1/2 MOA at best)

Ok I see the problem...........

Then definitely try the A-Max's. I've also had good results with Nosler Custom Comps on long range roos, but nothing as big and tough as sheep or Ibex.

Or if you can find them what about Matrix bullets?

And for something out of left field I have had very good accuracy out of a 300 RUM with 180 Sciroccos.......I'm talking 1/2 moa for 3 shots.

180 Sciroccos give me 1/2 MOA @ 3000 fps mv. When pushed to 3100-3200 fps they go to 2-4 MOA!
3000 fps is OK, but I'm wanting more velocity. Thanks.

Sciroccos are out then..........

quote:

Originally posted by bwana dogo:
180 Sciroccos give me 1/2 MOA @ 3000 fps mv. When pushed to 3100-3200 fps they go to 2-4 MOA!
3000 fps is OK, but I'm wanting more velocity. Thanks.

If I was going halfway around the world, I wouldn't use an AMAX. As for the Scirocco, if it really shoots 1/2 MOA at 3000 fps, you are foolish to discard it for a few more hundred feet of velocity, especially if it isn't at least as accurate.

Assuming you can shoot 1/2 MOA at 500 yards, that load give you a maximum allowable wind error of 1.7 mph before you risk missing. At 800 yards your max allowable wind error is .7 mph.

A bullet 300 fps faster but which shoots only .75 MOA will have a maximum allowable wind error of 1.0 mph at 500 and .5 at 800 yards. But do you even if have a place you can practice at 500 to 800 yards? You won't become competent unless you do, and that extra velocity is going to accelerate that barrel wear to say nothing of recoil.

These figures assume a ten inch vital area.

Thanks!

I use Kenton Ballistic Turrets on a lot of my rifles; now I know a lot of purists will sneer, but they take all the hard work out of trajectory calculations on long range work, especially when you have to do it fairly quickly under a high stress environment. So if your load is only doing 3000fps, not a problem, it should still have enough velocity to set up at 750 yards.

A friend of mine, head shot 3 roos out of 3 with my 6mmBR at 580 yards using a Kenton.

What is "set up"? Is that anything like "bullet upset"?
I've used the old Hornady 30 cal 180 gr spire on a desert ram. The off-side looked like I used a 20 gauge. Not good results, to me.
I used a 180 TTSX Barnes out of a 300 WIn Mag in Tajikistan. One and done! Worked like a charm!
Zeke

How far was the shot in Tajikistan?

Blair,
The shot was unusually close from what others have experienced in Tajikistan. None of this banging away hoping to land a bullet somewhere, for me.
I crept (climbed, huffed, puffed and though my head would explode) to under 200 yards. One shot was all that was needed.

On the entire trip, I only fired 2 rounds; 1 at a box at 100 meters to check zero and one at my ram. I almost feel cheated! LOL

Zeke

quote:

Originally posted by ZekeShikar:
Blair,
The shot was unusually close from what others have experienced in Tajikistan. None of this banging away hoping to land a bullet somewhere, for me.
I crept (climbed, huffed, puffed and though my head would explode) to under 200 yards. One shot was all that was needed.

On the entire trip, I only fired 2 rounds; 1 at a box at 100 meters to check zero and one at my ram. I almost feel cheated! LOL

Zeke

Zeke:

There is a reason very few people take long range shots on guided hunts in Alaska and Africa: you draw blood, you punch your tag.

My hat's off to you.