105 Hornaday Amax for Hunting

[DGD6MM]

Has anyone ever used a 105 Amax in a .243 for Deer Hunting? If so, was it successful, and how was the terminal damage?

[CJ in WY]

Not the best choice inside of 200yards but works good past that.
Have used the 105s in the 6br,243 and 6-284 but for long range prairie dogs. Was going to use the 243 barrel on a Striker but opted for the higher energy of the 178Amax 30-06. Have used the 140Amx(6.5-284),162(7mag) and the 178(30-06) on deer with great results.....no bloodshot meat but the yardage has been past 400 yards. Did shoot the last antelope @ just under 300 yards with the 178 Amax @ 2750fps with nasty results.....blew the poor little @#$% dang near in half.
The Amax makes a distinktive WOOP when it hits be it prairie dog or deer!
No pics as I bone everything out where it falls.

[DGD6MM]

There is a good possibility that it will be shot under 200 yards. On the other hand where we sit the shots can go 300 yards or so.

[BobT]

There is a good possibility that it will be shot under 200 yards. On the other hand where we sit the shots can go 300 yards or so.


Under those circumstances I would use the 95 grain Nosler partition if I could get it to shoot in my gun. It will work well from 300 yards on in to the muzzle, out past 350 or so the trajectory could become a little steep depending on velocity, it will still do the job just becomes a little harder to make the shot.

Bob

[mattri]

http://i877.photobucket.com/albums/ab333/rritchie1027/GEDC1102.jpg

This is a pretty typical group at 225 yards using Sierra Game King 100grn 6mms.

In no way trying to talk you out of the A-Max but the Sierra may be another option to consider. They are very well constructed, open up and stay together for excellent lethality and are pretty accurate, maybe not quite as much as the A-max but plenty accurate enough to drop a deer beyond 300.

Just my .02, Matt.

[DGD6MM]

Thanks all for your replies. I've built the Amax for my brothers .243 sporter. I've shot it out to 600 yards and it is accurate. I have a new .243 unfired sitting here and he invited me to go to S.C. at the end of the month to Deer Hunt, thinking about setting it up and taking it. He's gonna hunt the Amax, So I'll build some and shoot the rifle in and take it along. I have others, but you know how it is when you got a new 1 just sitting there. I've also got a 7-08 in the same shape as the .243 but no bullets for it and where I live most shops don't stock the ones I want, and I hate making a small order just for some bullets. This invite came out of the blue.

[DGD6MM]

Well the Amax works every bit as good as the posters say over on Longrange Hunting.

[BobT]

And the pictures are ? ;D

[DGD6MM]

My brother sent them to me, I forgot my camera. Killed 2 young bucks and a doe in the first hour of daylight. I'll post them when I learn how to use photo bucket.

[DGD6MM]

Since I built 105 Amax's for my brother to hunt he has shot 3 deer. 100-150 yards, 2 dropped where he shot them. The 3rd hit the ground got up moved 5 feet and fell over dead. They do work, I'm sold.

[Captain Finlander]

They perform just like Nosler Ballistic tips at all ranges and are built to very similar specifications.

[DGD6MM]

That's been my findings, very similar to Nosler Ballistic Tips. I've now killed deer with both. Virtually Identical results.

[tammons]

I have never used the amax in 6mm, but I would not have problem using them for deer.
The SD is over .25 and its a decent and accurate bullet so it should do the job.

Still I would prefer a Barnes TTSX for a 243 loaded hot especially for hogs.

No even in the same league caliber wise, but I have had good luck with the amax in larger calibers.

I shot a 250+# boar hog a few years ago at 300 yards with a 7mm-08 162 gr amax at 2600 fps and it blew right through him and DRT. 2-3" exit hole.

Shot a deer this morning with 308/208 gr amax at 2450 and it blew a 4" hole out the other side of its neck.

Right now I have our 243s loaded with 80 gr TTSX bullets at about 3400.
Might have to try the 105 amaxes.

[cariss74]

I was using the 100gr Sierra Game Kings up until last year. I made the switch to the 85gr Barnes TSX. I am amazed at the devistation from these little bullets. I have shot 4 deer so far with the 85gr and the farthest any of the deer have gone is 20 yards. Two of them dropped in their tracks.