Published: 2024 | Last updated: June 2026
Introduction
Hornady introduced the A-MAX (Advanced Match) in 2001 from its Grand Island, Nebraska facility, and for over a decade it stood as one of the most widely used and respected high-BC match bullets on the market, with a polymer-tipped secant ogive design that set a benchmark for affordable long-range accuracy. Before going further, a critical correction to the original article’s framing is necessary: the A-MAX has been almost entirely discontinued and replaced by Hornady’s ELD-M (Extremely Low Drag – Match) line. Independent sourcing confirms Hornady identified a real engineering problem with the A-MAX’s polymer tip – it would soften or deform from aerodynamic heating during sustained supersonic flight, degrading the bullet’s effective BC at extended range in a way that was not initially obvious or well understood. The ELD-M’s Heat Shield tip was specifically engineered to resist this deformation, and Hornady has discontinued the large majority of A-MAX caliber and weight offerings in favor of it. As of current production, only the 30-caliber 155-grain and 168-grain, and the 50-caliber 750-grain A-MAX variants reportedly remain in production; essentially every other weight and caliber across the line, including the once-popular 6mm 105-grain and 6.5mm 140-grain variants the original article specifically highlights, has been discontinued in favor of the corresponding ELD-M offering.
This is a significant correction to the original article, which presents the A-MAX as a current, fully available product line without any mention of this status, and handloaders relying on this article’s caliber and weight range as a shopping guide would likely find most of the listed variants are no longer in production and only available as old stock through secondary sellers, if at all.
A second significant correction concerns the original article’s repeated framing of the A-MAX as a hunting bullet – language like “ideal for ethical kills,” “excels for moose or large game,” and “long-range hunting of medium to large game” appears throughout the original source material. This framing is inconsistent with how the A-MAX was actually positioned by Hornady and understood within the shooting community. The A-MAX, like the Sierra MatchKing and Berger Hybrid Target covered elsewhere on this site, is fundamentally a match bullet – a thin-jacketed, lead-core design engineered for accuracy and aerodynamic consistency rather than controlled, reliable expansion on game. While anecdotal field reports (some of which surface in online shooting forums) describe A-MAX bullets producing dramatic terminal effects on varmints and even some big game at certain velocities, this is fundamentally different from a bullet engineered, tested, and warranted for hunting use. Hornady’s own dedicated hunting bullet lines – the Hornady ELD-X, Hornady InterBond, Hornady SST, and Hornady InterLock – exist specifically because match bullets like the A-MAX and ELD-M are not designed for reliable, ethical hunting performance, particularly the inconsistent and unpredictable expansion behavior a thin match jacket can produce on game tissue at varying velocities and ranges. This rewrite treats the A-MAX strictly as the match bullet it actually is, consistent with how this site treats the MatchKing and Hybrid Target.
Disclaimer: Reloading is an inherently dangerous activity. Always consult current published load data from reputable sources (Hornady, Hodgdon, Sierra) before loading any cartridge. Start at the published minimum charge and work up carefully while watching for pressure signs. Never exceed maximum published loads. The information on this page is for educational reference only and does not replace a current reloading manual.
Technical Characteristics
Lead-core construction with AMP jacket: The A-MAX uses a swaged lead core inside a jacket produced through Hornady’s Advanced Manufacturing Process, intended to minimize wall thickness variation for concentricity and weight uniformity – a standard match-bullet manufacturing priority shared with most premium competitors in this category.
Polymer tip and secant ogive: The combination of an ultra-low-drag polymer tip and a secant ogive profile is the source of the A-MAX’s historically strong BC figures. As discussed above, this same polymer tip is also the source of the documented heat-deformation problem that led to the bullet’s discontinuation in most calibers – the tip would soften under the aerodynamic heating generated during sustained high-velocity, long-range flight, subtly altering the meplat shape and degrading the bullet’s effective BC at extended distance in a way that was inconsistent and difficult to predict from standard near-muzzle BC testing.
Boat-tail profile: Standard for reducing base drag and contributing to the bullet’s overall BC performance, consistent with virtually every premium long-range match bullet covered on this site.
Velocity range: The stated 2,500-3,500 fps optimal muzzle velocity range is standard for centerfire match cartridges, though it’s worth noting this range does not by itself constitute hunting suitability – velocity range and terminal performance on game are different engineering questions entirely.
Long bearing surface and seating-depth sensitivity: The original article’s note that the A-MAX’s “long bearing surface is sensitive to inconsistencies” in seating depth is consistent with typical secant-ogive match bullet behavior, and is part of why Berger’s later hybrid ogive design (covered in this site’s Berger Hybrid Target article) was specifically developed to address this characteristic in pure secant designs like the A-MAX.
Current production status: As discussed in the introduction, only the 168-grain and 155-grain .308-inch and the 750-grain .510-inch (50 BMG) variants reportedly remain in active production as of the most recent available sourcing. Handloaders interested in any other weight or caliber from the original article’s table should expect to source remaining old stock through secondary sellers rather than current production, and should budget accordingly for both availability and likely premium pricing on discontinued components.
Ballistics and Performance
G1 BCs from 0.247 to 1.050 per this source span an enormous range, reflecting the line’s historical breadth from light varmint-adjacent .224-inch weights through extreme-long-range 50 BMG applications. It’s worth noting directly, given the discontinuation context discussed above, that these BC figures should be understood as representing the bullet’s nominal or near-muzzle BC rather than necessarily its effective BC at extended range under all conditions – the documented tip-deformation issue specifically affected BC consistency at distance, which is precisely the application this bullet was historically marketed for.
The 52-grain .224-inch at BC 0.247 and SD 0.148, per this source representing a now-discontinued variant, was historically popular for 223 Remington and similar light, fast .224-inch applications like 22-250 Remington, with some users in online forums reporting strong field performance on varmints, though as discussed, this anecdotal use does not constitute hunting-bullet design intent.
The 105-grain .243-inch at BC 0.500 and SD 0.254 was a well-regarded 6mm match and varmint weight before its discontinuation, frequently mentioned favorably in online forum discussions for 6mm Creedmoor and similar applications such as 6mm GT, with the corresponding ELD-M or ELD-X variant now the current Hornady offering at this weight class.
The 140-grain 6.5mm at BC 0.550 and SD 0.287, also discontinued, was widely used in 6.5 Creedmoor and 6.5 PRC before the transition to ELD bullets, and multiple online forum sources specifically describe this weight’s discontinuation as a notable loss for handloaders who had developed accurate loads around it. The Hornady A-Tip Match represents Hornady’s further evolution of low-drag match bullet design beyond even the ELD-M, using aluminum tip construction for handloaders seeking the absolute current state of the art.
The 168-grain .308-inch at BC 0.475 and SD 0.253, and the 155-grain .308-inch at BC 0.435 and SD 0.233, are among the few variants still reportedly in current production, used historically and currently in 308 Winchester and similar .308-inch cartridges for match and precision rifle applications.
The 750-grain .510-inch (50 BMG) at BC 1.050 and SD 0.412 is the other variant reportedly remaining in production, an exceptionally high BC figure appropriate for the extreme aerodynamic efficiency 50 BMG long-range and extreme-distance shooting demands, and one multiple forum sources specifically describe as essentially unchanged and still preferred even after the broader transition to ELD bullets elsewhere in the line.
Accuracy of 0.3-0.5 MOA was a genuinely strong, competitive specification during the A-MAX’s period of widespread production and use, broadly comparable to what this site’s coverage of the Sierra MatchKing and Berger Hybrid Target documents for those competitors.
Expert Ballistics Table – Hornady A-MAX Variants
Data from Hornady specifications. BCs are G1. Most variants below are discontinued – see discussion above. Only the 155-grain, 168-grain (.308-inch), and 750-grain (.510-inch) reportedly remain in current production; verify current availability at hornady.com.
| Diameter (inches) | Weight (grains) | BC (G1) | Sectional Density | Production Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| .224 | 52 | 0.247 | 0.148 | Discontinued; succeeded by Hornady ELD-M |
| .243 | 75 | 0.330 | 0.181 | Discontinued; succeeded by ELD-M |
| .243 | 105 | 0.500 | 0.254 | Discontinued; succeeded by ELD-M |
| .264 | 140 | 0.550 | 0.287 | Discontinued; succeeded by ELD-M |
| .308 | 155 | 0.435 | 0.233 | Reportedly still in production |
| .308 | 168 | 0.475 | 0.253 | Reportedly still in production |
| .308 | 178 | 0.495 | 0.268 | Discontinued; succeeded by ELD-M |
| .338 | 250 | 0.675 | 0.313 | Discontinued; succeeded by ELD-M |
| .510 | 750 | 1.050 | 0.412 | Reportedly still in production |
Comparison Bullets
The original article’s comparison set – Sierra MatchKing, Berger Hybrid Target, and Nosler Custom Competition – represents the historically relevant competitive field for the A-MAX during its period of widespread production, though for handloaders making purchasing decisions today, the more directly relevant comparison is the A-MAX’s own successor, the Hornady ELD-M.
The Hornady ELD-M is, per the forum sourcing referenced throughout this article, functionally the A-MAX’s direct replacement across most of the discontinued weight range – same general jacket and core construction in many cases, with the key difference being the Heat Shield polymer tip engineered to resist the heat-deformation problem that affected the A-MAX’s BC consistency at extended range. Current Applied Ballistics data, per forum discussion, shows the ELD-M achieving meaningfully higher effective BC than the equivalent-weight A-MAX, specifically because the ELD-M tip does not degrade in the same way during sustained supersonic flight.
The Sierra MatchKing remains in full, current production and was historically the A-MAX’s closest direct competitor in price and target market, with the original article’s claim that A-MAX BCs (0.247-1.050) “surpass MatchKing (0.200-0.600)” being broadly consistent with the MatchKing’s more conventional hollow-point boat-tail profile generally trailing tipped, secant-ogive designs in raw BC, though the MatchKing’s accuracy reputation and current full availability remain genuine, ongoing advantages.
The Berger Hybrid Target, also covered on this site, uses Berger’s hybrid tangent-secant ogive specifically to address the seating-depth sensitivity inherent to pure secant designs like the A-MAX, representing a different engineering solution to a problem the A-MAX’s profile shares. The Nosler Custom Competition rounds out the historical comparison field, using a hollow-point design and custom jacket process distinct from both the A-MAX’s secant tipped profile and Berger’s hybrid approach.
Comparison Table – Premium Long-Range Match Bullets
| Bullet | Diameter Range | Weight Range | BC Range | Current Production Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hornady A-MAX | .224-.510 | 52-750 gr | 0.247-1.050 | Mostly discontinued; 155/168gr .308 and 750gr .510 remain |
| Hornady ELD-M | .172-.375 | 35-285 gr | Generally higher than equivalent A-MAX weights | Full current production; A-MAX’s successor |
| Sierra MatchKing | .224-.338 | 52-250 gr | 0.200-0.600 | Full current production |
| Berger Hybrid Target | .224-.375 | 85-410 gr | 0.524-0.841 | Full current production |
| Nosler Custom Competition | .224-.338 | 69-250 gr | 0.250-0.650 | Full current production |
Applications and Practical Aspects
For handloaders with existing A-MAX stock: If you have remaining A-MAX components on hand, particularly in a weight that produced a well-developed, accurate load in your specific rifle, there is no inherent reason to discard a working load simply because the component is discontinued – several forum sources specifically describe continuing to use existing A-MAX inventory for competition and precision shooting with good results. The practical consideration is purely supply: once existing stock is exhausted, replacement requires either sourcing remaining old stock (often at a premium) or transitioning to the ELD-M and redeveloping the load, since bullet length and seating characteristics can differ meaningfully between the two even at the same nominal weight.
For handloaders starting fresh: Given the discontinuation status, new handloaders or those without existing A-MAX investment should generally default to the Hornady ELD-M directly rather than seeking out A-MAX components, since the ELD-M represents the current, fully supported version of essentially the same bullet philosophy with a documented BC and consistency improvement at extended range.
.308-inch and 50 BMG applications: For handloaders specifically working in 308 Winchester at 155 or 168 grains, or 50 BMG at 750 grains, the A-MAX remains a viable current-production option per available sourcing, and these specific weights have a long, well-documented accuracy track record. Hodgdon Varget and IMR 4895 are standard powder choices for 308 Winchester at these weights. Premium brass for these applications is commonly used alongside dedicated case prep equipment and a quality digital powder scale for the consistency competitive precision shooting demands. For handloaders considering whether to invest in 50 BMG components given the platform’s substantial cost, the 300 Win Mag, 338 Lapua Magnum, and 300 PRC remain more accessible extreme-long-range alternatives worth considering, both with current full-production Hornady ELD-M options available at those calibers.
Not appropriate for hunting: As discussed at length in the introduction, this bears explicit, direct statement given how heavily the original article framed the A-MAX in hunting terms. This is a match bullet, not a hunting bullet, regardless of anecdotal field reports of terminal effect on varmints found in online forums. Hunters wanting genuine, tested expansion performance on game should use a dedicated hunting bullet such as the Hornady ELD-X, Hornady InterBond, or any of the dedicated hunting bullets covered extensively elsewhere on this site.
Reloading
Hornady’s published A-MAX load data remains a useful reference for the currently produced weights, and per forum sourcing, A-MAX load data has frequently been reported to transfer reasonably well as a starting point for ELD-M loads at the same nominal weight, though handloaders should always verify with current seating depth and pressure testing rather than assuming a direct, unverified substitution.
Primers: Standard small or large rifle primers depending on caliber. CCI BR-2 and CCI BR-4 benchrest primers, along with Federal GM205M and Federal GM210M match-grade primers, are commonly used in precision rifle applications with this bullet category. Federal GM205MAR offers a match-grade alternative tuned for AR-platform reliability for handloaders using gas guns rather than bolt-action rifles.
Cases: Premium brass from Lapua, Norma, or Hornady’s own match-grade offerings is commonly used in competitive applications where case-to-case consistency directly affects group size.
Seating depth: Start 0.010 to 0.050 inches off the lands and test systematically, given the secant ogive’s documented seating-depth sensitivity discussed above. This sensitivity is a genuine characteristic to plan for in load development, not a minor footnote.
Crimp: Generally not used for bolt-action precision rifle applications.
Velocity verification: Chronograph data remains standard practice, and per forum sourcing, confirming whether your specific rifle and barrel produces consistent results with remaining A-MAX stock versus the ELD-M replacement is worthwhile before committing to either path for ongoing load development.
Powder Selection by Application:
| Application | Caliber | Bullet Weight | Recommended Powders |
|---|---|---|---|
| Match/precision (legacy stock) | 223 Rem | 52 gr | Hodgdon Varget, IMR 4064, Hodgdon H4895, Hodgdon H335 |
| Match/precision (legacy stock) | 6mm Creedmoor | 105 gr | Hodgdon H4350, Alliant Reloder 16, Alliant Reloder 23, IMR 4350 |
| Match/precision (legacy stock) | 6.5 Creedmoor | 140 gr | Hodgdon H4350, Alliant Reloder 23, Alliant Reloder 26, Hodgdon H4831SC |
| Match/precision (legacy stock) | 338 Lapua Magnum | 250 gr | Hodgdon H4831SC, Alliant Reloder 22, Hodgdon Retumbo, Hodgdon H1000 |
| Match/precision (current production) | 308 Win | 155-168 gr | Hodgdon Varget, IMR 4895, Alliant Reloder 15 |
| Extreme long-range (current production) | 50 BMG | 750 gr | Hodgdon H50BMG, Shooters World SW 50BMG |
Reloading Parameters Summary:
| Parameter | Guideline |
|---|---|
| Neck tension | 0.002-0.004 inch interference |
| Seating depth | 0.010-0.050 inch off lands; secant ogive is seating-sensitive |
| Crimp | Generally not used for bolt-action precision applications |
| Current production status | Limited to 155gr/168gr .308 and 750gr .510 – verify before purchasing other weights |
| Extreme spread target | Under 10 fps for competitive accuracy |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the Hornady A-MAX still in production?
A: Only partially. Independent forum and retailer sourcing consistently indicates that Hornady has discontinued the large majority of A-MAX weights and calibers in favor of the ELD-M line, with only the 30-caliber 155-grain and 168-grain, and the 50-caliber 750-grain variants reportedly remaining in current production. Every other weight and caliber covered in the original article’s table, including the once-popular 105-grain 6mm and 140-grain 6.5mm variants, has reportedly been discontinued. Handloaders should verify current availability directly with Hornady or established retailers before planning a load around any A-MAX weight outside the three reportedly still-produced variants.
Q: Why was the A-MAX discontinued in most calibers?
A: Per Hornady’s own stated reasoning, as discussed in multiple online forum threads, the A-MAX’s polymer tip would soften or deform from aerodynamic heating during sustained high-velocity, long-range flight. This degraded the bullet’s effective ballistic coefficient at extended distance in a way that was inconsistent and not well captured by standard near-muzzle BC testing methods. The ELD-M’s Heat Shield tip was specifically engineered with a different polymer material to resist this deformation, directly addressing the problem. Some forum commenters have expressed skepticism about how significant this effect actually was in practice for typical shooting distances, but Hornady’s stated engineering rationale and the consistency of independent BC testing data showing improved ELD-M performance at distance both support the issue being genuine.
Q: Is the A-MAX a hunting bullet, as the original article suggests?
A: No, and this is an important correction. The A-MAX is fundamentally a match bullet, engineered for accuracy and aerodynamic consistency rather than controlled, reliable expansion on game tissue. While some handloaders have reported strong anecdotal terminal results on varmints and even occasionally larger game in online forum discussions, this does not constitute the bullet being designed, tested, or warranted for hunting use. Hornady maintains entirely separate, dedicated hunting bullet lines – the ELD-X, InterBond, and SST among them – specifically because match bullets like the A-MAX are not engineered for the predictable, reliable expansion ethical hunting requires across varying impact velocities and ranges.
Q: Should I switch from A-MAX to ELD-M, or keep using my existing A-MAX stock and load data?
A: If you have remaining A-MAX stock and an already-developed, accurate load in a specific rifle, there is no urgent need to switch – several forum sources describe continuing to use existing inventory successfully. The practical consideration is purely supply continuity: once your existing stock runs out, sourcing more A-MAX in a discontinued weight will mean relying on old stock from secondary sellers, often at a premium price, rather than current production. For handloaders without existing investment, starting with the ELD-M directly is the more practical choice given its full current availability and documented BC improvement at extended range.
Q: Can A-MAX load data be used directly for ELD-M bullets at the same nominal weight?
A: This is reported to work reasonably well as a starting point by multiple forum sources, since the two bullets share similar core construction and dimensions in many cases – some users specifically describe measuring negligible dimensional differences between older ELD-M production and the A-MAX they replaced. However, this should be treated as a starting point for careful load development and pressure testing, not an unverified direct substitution, since bullet length and seating characteristics can differ meaningfully even within nominally the same weight class, and any change in bearing surface length affects case capacity and therefore pressure.
Q: Is the 750-grain .510-inch A-MAX for 50 BMG still considered a top choice, or has it also been superseded?
A: Per available forum sourcing, the 750-grain 50 BMG A-MAX is widely described as essentially unchanged and still preferred by many extreme-long-range shooters even after the broader transition to ELD bullets elsewhere in Hornady’s line, with one forum comment specifically noting it as “absolutely perfect” and expressing hope Hornady would not change it. This appears to be one of the few weights where the original A-MAX design has persisted largely unaltered through the broader product line transition.
Conclusion
The Hornady A-MAX was a genuinely influential, widely respected match bullet for over a decade, but the original article’s framing of it as a current, fully available product with hunting applications requires significant correction. It has been mostly discontinued and replaced by the Hornady ELD-M, which addresses a documented polymer-tip heat-deformation problem that degraded the A-MAX’s BC consistency at extended range. It is, and always was, a match bullet rather than a hunting bullet, regardless of anecdotal field reports to the contrary.
Choose the A-MAX if: you specifically need the 155-grain or 168-grain .308-inch, or the 750-grain .510-inch 50 BMG variants, which reportedly remain in current production; or you have existing stock and an already-developed accurate load you want to continue using until it’s exhausted. Handloaders also working with 270 Winchester or 7mm-08 Remington loads using Alliant Reloder 19 for other rifles in their battery may find similar powder characteristics useful for reference when developing 6.5mm or 7mm loads with remaining A-MAX stock.
Choose something else if: you need any other weight or caliber from the original article’s table – the Hornady ELD-M is the current, fully supported successor and the practical default choice for new load development. If you want the longest-established match bullet still in full production with the deepest competitive track record, the Sierra MatchKing remains a strong, currently available option, or its more recently developed Sierra Tipped MatchKing variant. If you need a bullet for hunting rather than competition, none of the match bullets in this comparison are appropriate – choose a genuine hunting bullet such as the Hornady ELD-X, Hornady SST, Barnes TTSX, or Federal Trophy Copper instead.
Disclaimer: Reloading involves inherent risks. Always use current load data from Hornady or other published manuals. Start below maximum charges and increase gradually. This bullet is designed for target and competition use, not hunting, despite anecdotal field reports – it is not engineered or tested for reliable, ethical expansion on game. Most weights and calibers are discontinued; verify current availability before purchasing components or planning load development. Wear eye protection at all times. The author and myreloading.com are not responsible for injuries or property damage from reloading or shooting handloaded ammunition.
Do you have experience with the A-MAX or its transition to the ELD-M? Leave a comment with your load details: weight, cartridge, powder, charge, and your results, particularly if you have direct experience comparing the two bullets side by side in the same rifle. Confirmation of current production status for any specific weight would also help keep this article accurate as availability continues to change.
Editorial note: Originally published 2024, revised June 2026. This revision made a significant correction to the original article: independent sourcing confirms the A-MAX has been mostly discontinued and replaced by the Hornady ELD-M line due to a documented polymer-tip heat-deformation issue affecting BC consistency at extended range, with only the 155-grain/168-grain .308-inch and 750-grain .510-inch variants reportedly remaining in current production. The original article presented the full historical weight range as currently available without any mention of this status. A second significant correction addressed the original article’s repeated framing of the A-MAX as a hunting bullet (“ideal for ethical kills,” suitable for “moose or large game”) – this is a match bullet, not a hunting bullet, and this rewrite treats it consistently with how this site treats the Sierra MatchKing and Berger Hybrid Target. Added a detailed comparison to the ELD-M as the bullet’s actual current successor. Added FAQ covering six common questions, including direct treatment of the discontinuation status and hunting-suitability corrections. Applied full internal linking throughout.
