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Hello all,

Does anyone reload using Hornady A-max bullets? I finally got around to completing the rounds for my .223 reloading experiment;

69gr SMK three different powder loadings (PPU cases, Reloader15 powder and CCI primers)
77gr SMK, again three different powder charges and the same cases and primers

Then when it came to loading the 75gr A-max rounds, using the same bullet seating die, set to the same length (2.260"), the loaded round is 'significantly' longer than the SMK loadings (both bullet weights) and therefore does not fit inside standard AR type magazines - and is therefore useless to me

The A-max round is notably slimmer/more elongated than the SMK bullets but surely that is irrelevant if using the same bullet seating die? I can only assume that the bullet is hitting the powder and the polymer tip is flexing rather than pushing the bullet into the powder? Unfortunately I forgot to do the 'shake test' to hear whether there was any movement with the powder or not.

If it is the case that there is just not enough room in the case for the powder/bullet combo, is it likely using a different powder/shaped powder, would fix the problem? The other issue is with the bullet in its current location its as deep as it can go before the ogive (if that's the right term), will be beyond the case mouth??

Hi Mark. I've used 123gr 6.5mm A-max without issue. If anything, they were shorter in overall length compared to Lapua Scenar's of the same mass. The importance for me is maintaining Base-to-ogive distance (i.e. controlling the jump to the rifling). Some testing will be required because not all bullets like the same amount of jump. If you're concerned that you may be compressing the powder by reducing the overall length such that they fit in your magazine, it's probably wise to drop the powder charge slightly and work back up. Another thing worth pointing out is that some .223 bullets are for "long-throated" barrels and therefore may need to be single fed rather than magazine loaded. It might be worth checking to see if the A-max falls into this category of bullets.

As per my previous example, I find that the same powder charge in my 6.5x47 works for both the 123gr Scenar and 123gr A-max, but both brands of bullet required different base-to-ogive / overall length.

I hope this answers your question.

Two things are wrong here. First the 75gn A-Max isn't designed for magazine use at standard SAAMI COALs (2.25", 2.26" accepted in some magazines) in the 223 and needs a longer COAL. It is designed for single loading in this cartridge in a rifle with enough freebore to accept it.

Second, you cannot have a single seater die setting for all bullets in a cartridge. Each bullet requires a different one due to differences in nose profiles and leaving the seater die unchanged will give large range of COALs. Also, for optimum performance each bullet design may (usually does) need a different COAL to achieve the ideal jump to the rifling.

In the case of 223, life is relatively easy as there are a fair number of very jump tolerant designs that are designed to be loaded to the standard 2.25" COAL, be off the rifling in most chambers, and perform well irrespective of the actual jump involved at that setting. These include the 68/69gn HPBT match bullets from Lapua, Hornady, Sierra; the 73gn Berger BT; 75gn Hornady HPBT Match; 77s HPBTs from Sierra, Lapua, and Berger.

The 75gn A-Max, all 80s and heavier bullets are designed to be loaded to longer COALs in the 2.4-2.55" range depending on the chamber freebore in use and (with the possible exception of the A-Max which sometimes works in 9-inch twist barrels) also need faster pitch rifling twists.

Blackstuff wrote:The A-max round is notably slimmer/more elongated than the SMK bullets but surely that is irrelevant if using the same bullet seating die?

The seating die stem doesn't/shouldn't contact the bullet at the meplat/tip, so you will see different COAL with bullets of different shapes with the same die setting.

If the bullet were to bottom-out in the seating stem you might see damage to meplats/tips, and more variation in the position of ogive relative to rifling, since variation between bullets of the same type is more pronounced near the tip.

Therefore it is normal to need to adjust seating dies to achieve a specific jump or COAL when using different bullet designs and shapes.

..

Thanks for the replies Looks like I've got 98 75gr .223 A-max for sale Anyone, anyone?

Blackstuff wrote:Thanks for the replies Looks like I've got 98 75gr .223 A-max for sale Anyone, anyone?

Sadly my rifle has a 1:9 twist rate so may struggle to fully stabilise, plus the rifle is a controlled feed so won't single load very well.

Spookilly....

I an a lot of the CSR bods use 77gr SMKs very successfully from standard AR mags, and the powder goes in the case as well.

You just have to accept that you wont have quite the COAL you might think best, but dont forget that some bullets work well with a long jump.

The military and match use of the Blackhills M262 loads would otherwise be of little use, but as I see Lauri points out, the 77 SMKs are tolerant to jump.

I just loaded 200 80g Amax.

How much for the 77g's posted?

Mike

If you try and load the 75gr A-max to mag length for an AR, you'll find the round looks a bit comical...

Not recommended!

The 77gr TMKs are a good alternative and can load to mag length.

Post removed.

This not the for sale section.