Hornady A-Max

[kix]

  Hello all. I have a shooting buddy that shoots A-Max bullets in several calibers and I must admit the accuracy he gets is amazing. I have considered these bullets in a hunting application so I am wondering if any fellow hunters have any experience with them on game; as in deer 125-175 lbs. Especially in the 6mm Rem. and 6.5 Swedish. I have seen a cross-section of them and they appear pretty lightly constructed so rather than have an unfortunate deer be a guinea pig I thought I would ask.  Thanks for any replies.  Kix

[nomosendero]

Many "experts" would disagree, but Hornady themseves say they are fine for thin skinned game. As always, a little common sense is good to have. I would not load the 6mm up to max vel & then shoot a 300# Canadian Whitetail at 10 yards in the "shoulder" as we call it or load the lightest 30 cal. in a 300RUM and do the same.
I know of several people that have been successful with the A-Max with the 168 in the 308 & at 2,700-2,800 that is the right way to use them. Same with the 6.5X55 & 140gr. I would use a little more care with the 6mm, but a ribcage shot would be a dead Deer every time.
I loaded some 168's up in my 700VS 308 this year & took it hunting a couple of times, but those were not the days that I had a shot, wound up with 2 good 8 points with my 270 though.

[kix]

  Thanks for your reply Nomo. Your observations are what I suspected, that with good, ethical, hunting common sense they are probably a good bullet for "smaller" deer. After some thought on the subject over the past few hours I think I will nix the idea of using them in the 6mm; maybe too much velocity. But as you say, the 140 gr. in the Swede should be entirely adequate in a broadside shot which is really the only shot I take. Kinda late this season for experimentation so maybe next year.  Thanks again.  Kix