I've heard a lot of back and forth about the A-max being good for hunting. I want to get 178 grain A-maxes for a 308 if they are good hunting bullets. Anyone hunted with the A-max?

Lots of people do. Many have had some great success. Hornady doesn't recommend it

Have used the 123 gr loads in a 6.5 Grendel, though they have worked none have exited, I like exits. Well one did exit on a small yote @ 237 yards.

There are those that really like them though

http://www.texashuntingforum.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/3848402/1

This doe didn't like my 208 A-max. I think the A-max is the best dual purpose bullet out there. Dual purpose, meaning great for match shooting and great for hunting. I've used a 155 A-max and 178 A-max in a 308, and a 208 in the 300 WM for hunting.

140 gr. A-max exit side.

140 gr A-max, brain stem shot at 300 yards.

As Chad said they are one of the best dual purpose bullets around. And when you can place them exactly where you want them, they are very useful. I compete with an A-max and hunt with the exact same load in a 6.5mm. I have also used the 178gr in a 308 Win with great success. I also load a 75 gr A-max in my 22-250. So I'm obviously quite the fan of them.

Well I think I'm pretty much sold on the A-max

What about Berger hunting vld as a dual purpose?

Without a doubt! The 7mm 180 VLD Hunting is what I use in my 7 Rem Mag. I don't compete with it but I could if I wanted to. It piled up an elk, last year, at 200 yards in one shot. And I've played with it on steel to a mile.

Everyone knows, you cannot use Amax's to hunt with...I read it on the internet and everything is true if it's on the internet

I've never used them but I wouldn't hesitate too based on reports from people I trust here and on other boards.

The way I see it you have the two extremes. On one side all copper, 100% weight retention, max penetration, reach the vitals at almost any angle, barnes tsx type. Not always the quickest killer but will almost always exit and leave a good blood trail. Then at the other end fast expansion, high fragmentation and energy dump, soup for insides, A-max/SMK type. Can kill very quickly but has a higher potential of not exiting, possibly not reaching vitals if an angle is severe enough, heavy bone is hit or the animal is large enough.

For deer and hogs I personally think the ballistic tip, (or SST for Hornady fans) is a better compromise since it is designed for hunting but is still generally very accurate with a good BC for long range. Great expansion with fairly good chance of an exit. Basically in the middle of the extremes.

It is nice to have so many options, pick your poison!

I have used the 162gr Amax with great success. Here are just a few of the critters I've used it on.

Haven't used any yet but for subsonic in my blackout. Hope this video helps.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDkO7BXX3WM

I went to cabelas in Waco earlier to get some 178 A-maxes and they didn't have any in Stock so instead I bought everything to reload 223!

There's no need for Partititons, Xs, Accubonds, and stuff like that, is there?

On deer there probably isn't but it sure is nice to have options.

Yup. Put em where you want em. Trackin? We don't need no stinkin trackin!

hornady factory 6.5 creedmoor 120gr a-max 120yds rib shot, found bullet opposite side between frt shoulder & skin, still weighed 88gr. looked like deer in video, rear legs forward & drt.

I use the 168 grain Amax and it has worked well for me. It knocks some huge holes in pigs.

Just ordered 100rds of 168gr A-Max in .308 from ChadTRG42. I guess I'll see this coming November.

I love the 178 AMAX in a 308

I think as long as you don't run them in a hot cartridge and hit bone at close range they are fine for hunting.

The 155 is a bit explosive on deer in my experience, but dead is dead.

120 grain A-max in 6.5 works DRT.

Nice