Hornady AMAX bullets

[Baked Ziti]

Anyone use the Hornady AMAX 155gr bullets with IMR 4895? I came across a box that were on sale and picked them up. In looking in my books none have the AMAX in 155 gr with IMR 4895 so I was wondering if anyone has a suggested load for these.

Thanks

[RAMMONT]

In 30-06 or .308?

[Baked Ziti]

Oops 30-06

[RAMMONT]

I don't own an M1 Garand, I do own several M1A rifles though and I've used IMR 4895 with 155gr Amax bullets in them. I also have a software program (QuickLoad) that I've used for many years to evaluate loads and I've become pretty accurate at predicting safe, accurate loads.

All that being said, I'd recommend testing powder charges of 47.0gr to 48.0gr of IMR 4895 and a cartridge overall length of 3.24".

[Baked Ziti]

Rammont,
Thanks. I went to the range and tried them out with two separate charges and was not a fan of the AMAX rounds. Im just going to burn through the box and stick with my Sierra 2130 and Hornady 3037's. I really love the Sierra 2130's.

[RAMMONT]

I don't blame ya', I like the 168gr Amax for my M1A but I've never heard of anybody liking them for their M1 Garand.

[TJT]

I use the 155 A Max's almost exclusively in all 4 of my M1 rifles. They all like 'em. 46.0 of H4895 ctg oal 3.30. They'll all clean an SR1 target at 100 yards and have no problem holding their own at the 200 yard GSM matches.
Jon

[lapriester]

In an M1 most plastic tipped bullets can be an issue because they can become deformed or damaged during feeding, You would be far better using a sharp hollow point bullet for competition to alleviate that possibility. When CMP used to issue Hornady A-Max ammo at their competitive events I found several that I loaded and removed where the tips were flattened on one side and one that somehow got blunted. And no, I didn't let them drop on the ground. They looked like that after being loaded and carefully extracted to my hand. I also experienced unexpected flyers probably due to the bullet tip deformation. I've also heard, on various forums, that people have experience finding the polymer tips missing on extracted ammo. Personally, I don't need those sort of complications in my match ammo. I'm a bad enough shot to begin with without my ammo, possibly, making that even worse.

Besides, A-Max bullets are far more expensive than Nosler Custom Competition blems at Shooters Pro Shop and the CC's don't have the issues A-Max have the potential for. I'm not a real fan of any Hornady bullet or Hornady ammo. My extensive experience has told me that there are better products out there for less money.

For the OP, you may not find specific data for a specific 155gr bullet out there but most any data for a like bullet is just fine to use. Just remember to always develop a load, when changing components, by starting a bit lower and working up to find the sweet spot. 46gr of IMR 4895, IMR 4064, Varget, or even H4895 behind a 155 will no doubt be very close to that. My M1 match load is 46gr 4064 or Varget behind a 155gr Nosler CC, CCI200 primers and 3.30 OAL. I used to load the same with IMR 4895 but never got the accuracy I get with the other powders no matter how much I tried. I only use 4895 these days in 223 and even then, only to use up my remaining stock. It's a dirty, horrible metering powder that saw it's day in WWII ammo. These days there's a bunch of far more superior powders that will burn cleaner, meter much better and produce better results.

[Baked Ziti]

I had come to the same issue of the tips being flattened when seating the initial round to get the OAL. I burned through the 100 I bought just to try them since they were on sale. I wont be buying them again and will stick with the Hornady 3037 and Sierra 2130. I do not match shoot, just target practice so these two are perfect for me and have the IMR 4895 powder weight my M1 likes. Thanks for the info, I might give the 4064 a try and see how she likes it.