Thread: 6.5 PRC

Originally Posted by Kiwi Greg

The Amax is a Target bullet too, no one ever used them here for hunting Aye ?????

In the older Hornady reloading manuals, all A-Max bullets greater than .264” are listed as a target, varmint and “thin skinned” medium game bullet. The .264” versions are regarded as target and varmint bullets only, though I doubt a fallow deer is going to run away after being shot with a 6.5mm 120gr A-Max at 3,000fps. Hornady describes the .30 cal A-Max as “excellent for hunting thin skinned game”.

Hornady changed their minds around the 9th or 10th edition, just before they introduced the ELD-X / ELD-M, when they sought to separate the two applications. Which didn’t necessarily work... I haven’t got a new manual here and can’t remember exactly what they say about the ELD-M application, but I don’t think it mentions hunting.

It’s always interested me that the 175gr Sierra MatchKing was (is?) used in US Milspec sniper ammunition for .308” (M118LR). Supposedly the tiny opening in the tip didn’t qualify as a hollow point and as such was “non expanding”. Numerous field reports then described enemy targets having dirty great big exit holes.

I once had the misfortune to realise I had packed the wrong ammo box on a pig hunting trip in NT. Opened it up, shit I’ve got the old SMKs. Didn’t make the blindest bit of difference... very dead pigs.

That said I don’t much like the Tipped MatchKings for hunting. Those that I’ve seen used on smaller deer have been far too messy at closer ranges. Probably good as long range bullets.

Sorry for the off-topic diversion.