Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Deer Hunting 7mm amax for deer?

Well, I have found out, the 162 A-max is kind of a pain to get to shoot, but I found an accurate load, even though the velocity is low. The sierras are much easier to find an accurate load and I think I'll end up going to the gameking just because I can't get the velocity of a 7mm rem with accuracy with the A-max
That is a 38 special case

But I should just be happy with the velocity with this type of accuracy. I develop loads with 4 shots just in case I pull a shot, as I did here.

I went out to the long range and it was gusting on and off 20mph swirling crosswinds. I set gallon jugs at 300, 400, 500, and 600 yards (holdover's end at 600 yards). Sighted in the Votex hold over reticle at 200 yards. 1 shot at 300 yards = exploded jug, 2nd shot at 400 yards = exploded jug, 3rd shot, 500 yards = exploded jug. 4 & 5 shot @ 600 yards = barely missed to right, adjusted 1 click left and 6th shot = dead center and exploded jug at 600 yards.
I'm feeling good about the rifle and scope, but I am finding it difficult to get 7mm mag velocities out of this tikka using H-1000 and H4831. I am seating bullets out to 3.340 just like every other magnum based off the h&h case. I see no reason to seat to a COL of 2.9 when the magazine allows regular magnum length and 2.9 leaves TONS of freebore.

You know this is a public forum right? People are going to read/see that.

I'd have to sit up on a billboard on I-26 to see 600 yards.

we're lucky out here in the black hills. 1000 yards at this particular spot and no range fee.

Not sure we can "help" this fella.

[quote=cooperfan]Please shoot Accubonds and get closer.

you probably can't shoot 600 yards [/quote

Wow this might get good

ok, not sure what's going on. just sharing my results after some load development.

My 7-08 loves em and I cant wait to put one in a whitetail. Seems to me that if run at modest velocity they will work great

Why are you running at 7-08 velocity?

Because I'm already running over book max with that charge and when I increased the charge I started to get scraping (smile) on the case head.

Trying to get to the next accuracy node started to cause a slightly sticky bolt

Even using H1000 I found I difficult to break the 2900 fps mark with the amax and the 168 Sierras

Not sure need to clock em but if the book is even close I would guess 2600ish. I would really like to run em closer to 2700, and for all I know I am, but I'll take the accuracy Im getting now over speed.

I'll report back after Turkey season when I have time to clock them.

How do the 162gr A-Max work in a 1-9" twist, seen on the box 1-8" twist

Simply amazingly. I shoot the 162 A-max out of a 280 AI and my dad does as well out of his 7mm Weatherby Remingtong 700. We both got PA bucks and a doe this year with this bullet at ranges from 50 yards to 250. Deer all died within 40 yards showing excellent performance. Not sure who can dispute these results especially after never trying one themselves. Just use them, shoot a deer, and become a believer.

I do believe in the A-Max for deer been using the 178gr 30 cal and 105 243 A-Maxs for years. What twist barrel are on your 7MM's I know the Wby is a 1-9" twist, what's your 280AI. The box has 1-8" twist on it that's why I asked. You can give up a little on the twist when you drive the bullets faster. Want to see how the work out of the 7-08 at the 7-08 velocity. I have used the 162gr SPBT in my sons 7-08 with it shooting one hole group at 100 yards. I know the A-Max has more bearing surface and wonder if that is why they say 1-8 twist

Bearing surface isn't the determinant.

64grs h4831 gives me 2743fps and is super accurate from my 7wsm. I have had better luck with velocity using 4350 from my 7wsm and the 162s. I found an accurate load @ 2900fps with it and I could not get there with 4831.

The 162 AMAX stabilizes fine and is very accurate in my 9 twist .280AI.

The Hornady 162 gr A-Max with H4350 or H4831 is the ultimate bullet in the 7x57 for Big Game Hunting

Shot this deer last year at 18 yards with a 162 Amax outta a .280 Rem. Impact velocity would have been about 2800fps.... give or take.



Deer went down.... hard. But, it didn't exit on a quartering away shot.... and as far as I could tell, nothing made it to the off side ribs. Here's the entrance....

dog shooter did you find any remains of it?