Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Long Range Hunting Performance report - 162 A-Max

Jordan thanks for the thread,and to dog shooter and clark for the photos Had never seen a thread about the 162Amax recovered from game.

It means I'd rather hit something through the ass and end up killing it, AS JORDAN DID, than completely whiff something or hit it elsewhere and have it go unfound.

Don't read too far into stuff Phas...

Tanner

Don't make it too easy on him.

I'm glad you clarified - I wasn't sure what to make of that at first, thought perhaps RC was rubbing off on you (no pun intended)...

David

Despite having shot critters as close as 40 yards with the 162, this is why I tend to carry this particular rifle stoked with the 140 TTSX, and swap out a few rounds for the 162 if I come to realize I'm going to have to go long.

I've only seen a couple of 208 AM hit critters so far, so I can't draw any firm conclusions about how it compares to the 162 when it comes to penetration as a general rule, but in this case you're quite right...

Congrat's on your successful hunt! Looks like the 162 worked well.

Thanks for the clarification. I shot a critter in the "hind shoulders" once by accident and I did eventually kill it but it sure wasn't pleasant to do or to field dress.

I should have known that even though you attend CSU that you didn't want to ass end anything on purpose

Jordan,

Finding a bullet you have confidence in is good. I suppose that the lead core alloy and jacket composition of the 7mm and .308 amax would be the same. I would guess the .308 amax has a slightly bigger hollow point under the plastic tip that might lead to more rapid and wide expansion, reducing penetration. I suppose that the moment of inertia or some other physical property of bullets change as cross section increases. I can't remember much from physics classes about calculating sectional modulus or if it would even matter as the bullet distorts after running into flesh.
Enough ballistic gack. Enjoy the elk meat! I doubt I will get out again to hunt for one here but I still have some left over from last year.

Scott

Hey Jordan, just out of curiosity, what twist rate do you have? I'm getting ready to order a new bbl for my next project. A Ruger #1 in 280 Rem. I want to shoot 140's, up to the 162. Will a 1-9 do the trick?

9.5", and yes that'll do just fine.

Great! Thanks. Looking fwd to getting this project rolling!

Impressive shooting! Actually connecting with moving animals at those ranges... Thanks for posting. I love hearing more stories of animals being taken with 'target' bullets.

I've loaded up some 155 A-max in 30-30, 14" Contender to take out for deer next year. MV should be 2100. I think they'll do well. Planning to practice, practice some more, and then try to get on one at 300.

Interesting stuff Jordan. 4' is farther than I would have expected one to dig.

My 162 A-Max report for the year:

280AI, 400 yards, complete pass through of both shoulders (that'd be front shoulders for those that count hips as shoulders). Grabbed about 1/2 inch or so of the spine on the way through. Exit wound was about 1".




280AI, 160 yards, complete pass through on both shoulders (still front) on the first shot. Little back of there grabbing spine again on second shot. I found a chunk of the jacket in the hair on the off-side. May have been more but he slid/fell about 700 yards, and that would have to knock a bunch of stuff loose. Both exits were 3/4 - 1". Ruined all the meat that the bullet touched.



If the damn things didn't shoot so well, I probably wouldn't use em.

Nice critters and some great bullet performance! Congrats!

Chris,

Were you able to salvage the front shoulders on the sheep? How bad were they using the 162 A-Max?

There was certainly some bloodshot, but not bad. Both sheep and goat were shot through the shoulder blades, and I probably tossed about 1-2" radius around the hole.

I did centerpunch the spine on a blacktail a few years back with a 162, and it must have made a 2.5" hole on the way out. Lost more meat on that one, and it was backstrap too. That was 7SAUM, so should have been around the same velocity.

Yep, looks like a heck of a season, Congrats.

Thanks. I got a Montana 280 AI now and got a bunch of 162's to try. Hoping to get a good load dialed in here soon so I can use this combo for sheep and goats next fall. You using RL22? And you loading your rounds to mag length?

Great pictures too! Sheep and goat country is for the hardcore.