Hornady GMX 150gn .308

EMcC

Well-Known Member
Can anybody help me with some info from the Hornady reloaders manual please.
I have just got some Hornady GMX 150gn bullets that I want to try in my .308 and my 30-06 but have been given conflicting info ref loading.
I have been told that H4895 can be used with info from the Hogdon manual relating to the same weight bullet, BUT, I have also been told that using non lead bullets is a completely different ball game !
I have looked at the bearing surface on the boat tail GMX bullets and it seems to be the same length as some of my flat base Sierra bullets, that is the only thing I can think of that would/may make a difference to the pressure, hence the different charge.
Can anybody help me ?
TIA.
 
Nobody have a Hornady re loading manual ?
Nobody using GMX bullets ?
I am surprised but still hoping.
 
Others may know better, but I have the .308 data in the app (it's cheap as you can pay per cartridge) and it lumps all Hornady's 150-155gr offerings together in the table and doesn't single out the GMX for special treatment.

No experience of loading the bullet but I'd like to think they'd mention it if you needed to take special precautions beyond the usual start low approach.
 
Yes non tox is different pressures harder material and often different diameter bullets. H4895 is not reach compliant so use a different powder if you want to keep reloading the load in the uk. 30.06 reloading handbook is .99c on their reloading (Hornady) app. Hope that’s helpful
 
Hornady list for .308
7 150g bullets (with GMX code 30370)
3 155g bullets

H4895 is
Min 37.2
Max 44.0

for 30-06
H4895 is not listed (tenth edition)
 
Also it is worth considering going to a 130gn load of non tox. As they often recommend a faster lighter bullet
 
Thanks, that has given me something to think about. I already have the 150 gn so I'll see how I get on with them first then maybe I'll try some 130gn later on.
 
Thanks, that has given me something to think about. I already have the 150 gn so I'll see how I get on with them first then maybe I'll try some 130gn later on.
EMcC, as AndyCM said above the Tenth edition Hornady manual shows .308 loads for the 150 grain GMX. OAL is shown as 2.735".
Starting load with H4895 is 37.2 grains for 2300 fps, max is 44 grains for 2700 fps. It has data for N140 as well- that would be a good bet- at least it's readily available over here. There's N140 data for your bullet in the 30-06, too. If you want that, shout up.
 
Ah ha, Thanks for that I have three tubs of H4895 and a tub of N140 so I reckon I will have enough to play with when I get the chance.
I have read that the non lead need to be pushed a bit faster than lead to get maximum benefit from the expansion so I shall be looking at max loads or near that anyway.
I also have three tubs of H380 and have been told that is the one to use in the 30-06 so will be looking at that later on.
At the moment, (due to age and health) I intend using the .308 summer shooting in Hungary from high seats.
I have been once before with a group of six and it was quite good so will be looking at that a bit more in the future.
I also have another contact in Hungary that keeps asking me to come out and shoot from high seats at night using thermal !! but I don't have any thermal kit yet and at the prices of it can't see me getting any so that will probably not happen.
 
H380 isn't in the 30-06 data in the manual mentioned above.
It lists an OAL of 3.210" for the 150 grain GMX in 30-06 with N140 starting load of 46.5 grains (2500 fps) and a max of 53.3 (2900 fps).

The 308 data listed for N140 ranges between 39.3 grains (2300 fps) and 45.8 grains (2700 fps).
Do be mindful of how often Vihtavuori change their data so I'd compare the Hornady data with that of Viht before deciding what to start with.
 
Very helpful indeed, thanks very much. I noted all the data and will have a few thinks about it and then load a few just to try and provided it works and doesn't show pressure signs decide which one to settle for.
Thanks again.
 
That's okay. The way things are going, your results will be of interest to plenty of others as more ground becomes a lead free zone for one reason or another. Best of luck.
 
Can anybody help me with some info from the Hornady reloaders manual please.
I have just got some Hornady GMX 150gn bullets that I want to try in my .308 and my 30-06 but have been given conflicting info ref loading.
I have been told that H4895 can be used with info from the Hogdon manual relating to the same weight bullet, BUT, I have also been told that using non lead bullets is a completely different ball game !
I have looked at the bearing surface on the boat tail GMX bullets and it seems to be the same length as some of my flat base Sierra bullets, that is the only thing I can think of that would/may make a difference to the pressure, hence the different charge.
Can anybody help me ?
TIA.
The gmx being more or less mono metal acts somewhat different when fired. Data that was tested with this projectile will be fine. However using data tested with a normal cup and core projectile may very well result in over pressure and all the danger that brings. Bearing surface is part of the issue but not all. Stick to proven tested data as published.
 
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