.30 cal AMAX vs SST

[CM1021]

I'm shooting 175 gr SMKs and 165 gr game kings in my .308 right now. One for target and one for deer. I'm having a hard time finding the 165 gr locally and I have thought about switching to the hornady and have one bullet for both. Have any of you guys used one bullet for both specifically the AMAX? I've heard good and bad things about both of these bullets.

[173rdABN]

Have not had the chance to hunt with the AMAX yet, but I do use it for all my long range shooting. I LOVEEEEE the 178 AMAX. It's been nothing but amazing. Was shooting it 1400+ yards in New Mexico in June. I have heard great things about hunting with it as well. Seems to be just right at the 178gr level. The 208's I hear just create massive exit holes and drop stuff in its tracks. But, for 308 I wouldnt load the 208's really. Unless you have a super long chamber, and can load to almost 3" OAL, then its just not worth it. You're not getting the velocity out of it to really give it the power it deserves. If you loaded the 208's in 300 WM or WSM you'd be in heaven. Sorry, I'm rambling, been a long day, just know the 178's are flipping amazing at great distances. I've had a good amount of first hand experience with them.

[CM1021]

I've read mixed reviews on people saying they're good for hunting and bad. They say since they have a thing jacket they just explode. I used to hunt with ballistic silver tips before I started to reload and loved them. I just want the deer down as quick as possible. If I'm worried about meat I shoot them in the neck lol