For those of you who have shot these high BC bullets what is the minimum expansion velocity? I know A-Maxs are "match bullets" but I know they have developed a bit of a following in long range hunting. I'm asking specifically for 338 caliber but any results will give me a better idea.

Specific for 338 cal Hornady only makes one A-Max the 285gr.

Berger makes a 250gr and 300gr Elite Hunter and Hybrid OTM, also I have used the original 300gr Hybrid.

Hornadys are known for having the softest jacket in the industry A-Max, V-Max ,Z-Max all expand at fairly low velocity.

Bergers J-4 jackets are fairly soft also and expand at fairly low velocity.

For 338 cal you have left out the "KING" of the 338 bullets, The Sierra 300gr Matchking. I have been using this bullet for 12 years and it has killed every animal I have used it on out to 2144yards.

Have tinkered with new bullets as they come along, the Berger 300gr Elite hunter would be my second choice. The Lapua 250gr and 300gr Scenars are a good target bullet but have zero expansion at any velocity making them unfit for hunting use. (Lapua uses a different jacket on the 338 than they do on 30 cal and smaller).

The A-Max is a bullet that I shoot a lot in smaller calibers but wont waste my time with it again in 338 (unless they come up with a miraculous new offering). B

You have killed an animal at 2144 yards? I'd like some info about it

What are you shooting the SMK out of? 338 snipetac? Becuase a 338rum or 338lapua doesnt have enough gas to kill something at 2150yards. the bullet would only be going 1000-1100fps and under 900ft lbs of energy, i dont think the bullet would expand at all.

It was 10 years ago on a rockchuck, range finders have come a long way since then. I was using a Wild optical range finder at the time and the barrel is now 33" instead of 36" in the pic.

This rifle has taken Moose,deer and antelope all at way past 1000 yards with the 300gr Matchking, with a 70 MOA base it does not shoot under 1000 very well

Awesome!

Looks like that rifle might need its own personal trailer to haul it around!

That is pretty impressive, how many shots before you actually connected with the chuck?

boatanchor,

What scope is on that spectacularly beautiful rifle? What do you use now?

I dont need a trailer but it does not get far from the truck !! Rifle in this pic was 56#, I have lightened it up a bit but not enough to matter. with bench and rest it never goes more than arms reach from the truck.

Have to admit this was not a one shot kill, I have not found a ballistic program that is accurate at this range or elevation. Also the Rockchuck walked out from the bullet twice with over a 3 second time of flight, got him on the 5th shot

It is a Leupold/Premier Reticle 14.5x35 , might be outdated by some standards but still works as good as it did 10 years ago

That is awesome shooting