257 Allen Xpress
Left to Right: 257 Allen Magnum, 257 Allen Xpress, 257 S.T.W., 257 Wby and 25-06 Remington. The 257 AX will easily match the much longer 257 S.T.W. and do so in a chambering that can be fit into a standard length receiver depending on throat length desired by customer.
Parent Case: 300 Dakota Magnum
Preferred Bullets: 100 gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip, 115 gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip, 110 gr. Nosler Accubond. (115 gr. Berger VLD not recommended at the velocity potential of the 257 Allen Xpress.
Recommended Powders: Reloader 25, Ramshot Magnum
Recommended Primers: Federal Fed-215 Large Rifle Magnum
Velocity Performance:
Bullet Weight Velocity(28" barrel length)
100 grain 3850 fps
110 grain 3750 fps
115 grain 3700 fps
Recommended Uses:
The 257 Allen Xpress was designed to be used for big game hunting ONLY and in lighter weight rifles designed to be used for hunting small to medium big game animals out to moderate ranges (700 yards). It is best used on pronghorn and smaller deer size game where live weight of animals is limited to around 300 pounds or less. Because of the lack of high B.C. bullets in the 25 caliber family, it is not recommended to use the 257 Allen Xpress at ranges past 700 yards on this size big game simply due to the fact that retained velocity and bullet energy have fallen to the point where consistant bullet expansion is not guaranteed.
Pros:
-Very impressive performance for its case length, Full equal to the highest performance 257 magnum wildcats on the market today except for its bigger 257 Allen Magnum brother.
-Slightly easier on throat life then 257 Allen Magnum.
-Can be chambered in standard length magnum actions if desired with short throat.
-Better suited to lighter bullet weights then the 257 Allen Magnum.
Cons:
-Still relatively short barrel life, recommended ONLY for big game hunting.
-Parent case is more costly then some of the other brass on the market.
-Case forming is a bit more involved then some other 25 caliber magnum wildcats.
Left to Right: 257 Allen Magnum, 257 Allen Xpress, 257 S.T.W., 257 Wby and 25-06 Remington. The 257 AX will easily match the much longer 257 S.T.W. and do so in a chambering that can be fit into a standard length receiver depending on throat length desired by customer.
Parent Case: 300 Dakota Magnum
Preferred Bullets: 100 gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip, 115 gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip, 110 gr. Nosler Accubond. (115 gr. Berger VLD not recommended at the velocity potential of the 257 Allen Xpress.
Recommended Powders: Reloader 25, Ramshot Magnum
Recommended Primers: Federal Fed-215 Large Rifle Magnum
Velocity Performance:
Bullet Weight Velocity(28" barrel length)
100 grain 3850 fps
110 grain 3750 fps
115 grain 3700 fps
Recommended Uses:
The 257 Allen Xpress was designed to be used for big game hunting ONLY and in lighter weight rifles designed to be used for hunting small to medium big game animals out to moderate ranges (700 yards). It is best used on pronghorn and smaller deer size game where live weight of animals is limited to around 300 pounds or less. Because of the lack of high B.C. bullets in the 25 caliber family, it is not recommended to use the 257 Allen Xpress at ranges past 700 yards on this size big game simply due to the fact that retained velocity and bullet energy have fallen to the point where consistant bullet expansion is not guaranteed.
Pros:
-Very impressive performance for its case length, Full equal to the highest performance 257 magnum wildcats on the market today except for its bigger 257 Allen Magnum brother.
-Slightly easier on throat life then 257 Allen Magnum.
-Can be chambered in standard length magnum actions if desired with short throat.
-Better suited to lighter bullet weights then the 257 Allen Magnum.
Cons:
-Still relatively short barrel life, recommended ONLY for big game hunting.
-Parent case is more costly then some of the other brass on the market.
-Case forming is a bit more involved then some other 25 caliber magnum wildcats.
270 Allen Xpress
Left to Right: 270 Allen Magnum, 270 Allen Xpress, 7mm S.T.W., 7mm Remington Magnum, 270 Winchester. I included two of the most popular 7mm magnums in this list simply because the 270 Allen Xpress will have to compete head to head against these very popular chamberings. The 270 Allen Xpress will match the 7mm STW with same bullet weights and is only exceeded by the 270 Allen Magnum by all other 270 and 7mm wildcats or commerical chamberings.
Parent Case: 300 Dakota Magnum
Preferred Bullets: 130 gr. Nosler Accubond, 140 gr. Nosler Accubond, 169.5 gr. ULD RBBT Wildcat Bullet.
Recommended Powders: Reloader 25, Ramshot Magnum
Recommended Primers: Federal Fed-215 Large Rifle Magnum
Velocity Performance:
Bullet Weight Velocity(28" barrel length)
130 grain 3500 fps
140 grain 3400 fps
169.5 grain 3200 fps
Recommended Uses:
The 270 Allen Xpress was designed to be used for big game hunting ONLY and in lighter weight portable rifles and medium weight rifles designed to be used for hunting medium big game animals out to moderate ranges. This includes ranges out to 1/2 mile depending on rifle design employed. It is best used on big game up to 500 pounds in life body weight but in good conditions can be used effectively on heavier game such as elk.
Pros:
-Very impressive performance for its case length, Full equal to the highest performance 270 and 7mm magnum wildcats on the market today.
-Longer throat life then smaller caliber siblings and better big game bullet selection.
-Can be chambered in standard length magnum actions if desired with short throat but best used in Rem 700 length receivers especially with tipped bullets.
-Better suited to lighter bullet weights then the 270 Allen Magnum.
Cons:
-Still relatively short barrel life, recommended ONLY for big game hunting.
-Parent case is more costly then some of the other brass on the market.
-Somewhat limited bullet selection compared to 7mm family.
Left to Right: 270 Allen Magnum, 270 Allen Xpress, 7mm S.T.W., 7mm Remington Magnum, 270 Winchester. I included two of the most popular 7mm magnums in this list simply because the 270 Allen Xpress will have to compete head to head against these very popular chamberings. The 270 Allen Xpress will match the 7mm STW with same bullet weights and is only exceeded by the 270 Allen Magnum by all other 270 and 7mm wildcats or commerical chamberings.
Parent Case: 300 Dakota Magnum
Preferred Bullets: 130 gr. Nosler Accubond, 140 gr. Nosler Accubond, 169.5 gr. ULD RBBT Wildcat Bullet.
Recommended Powders: Reloader 25, Ramshot Magnum
Recommended Primers: Federal Fed-215 Large Rifle Magnum
Velocity Performance:
Bullet Weight Velocity(28" barrel length)
130 grain 3500 fps
140 grain 3400 fps
169.5 grain 3200 fps
Recommended Uses:
The 270 Allen Xpress was designed to be used for big game hunting ONLY and in lighter weight portable rifles and medium weight rifles designed to be used for hunting medium big game animals out to moderate ranges. This includes ranges out to 1/2 mile depending on rifle design employed. It is best used on big game up to 500 pounds in life body weight but in good conditions can be used effectively on heavier game such as elk.
Pros:
-Very impressive performance for its case length, Full equal to the highest performance 270 and 7mm magnum wildcats on the market today.
-Longer throat life then smaller caliber siblings and better big game bullet selection.
-Can be chambered in standard length magnum actions if desired with short throat but best used in Rem 700 length receivers especially with tipped bullets.
-Better suited to lighter bullet weights then the 270 Allen Magnum.
Cons:
-Still relatively short barrel life, recommended ONLY for big game hunting.
-Parent case is more costly then some of the other brass on the market.
-Somewhat limited bullet selection compared to 7mm family.
300 Allen Xpress
Left to Right: 338 Lapua Magnum case, 300 Allen Xpress w/ 240 gr. Sierra Matchking, 300 Remington Ultra Magnum. The 300 Allen Xpress is on the top of the performance ladder easily matching the performance of the MUCH larger 30-378 Wby yet doing so with roughly 12 grains less powder capacity and also much shorter over all length in ammo making it easier to chamber in repeating receivers.
Parent Case: 338 Lapua Magnum
Preferred Bullets: 200 gr. Nosler Accubond, 210 gr. Sierra Matchkind, 240 gr Sierra Matchking.
Recommended Powders: Hodgdon Retumbo
Recommended Primers: Federal Fed-215 Large Rifle Magnum
Velocity Performance:
Bullet Weight Velocity(28-30" barrel length)
200 grain 3450-3500 fps
210 grain 3400-3450 fps
240 grain 3200-3250 fps
Recommended Uses:
The 300 Allen Xpress is the first of the APS Xpress family of wildcats that can be considered a heavy magnum wildcat chambering. It is specifically designed for use on heavy game at long to extreme range. While the 300 Allen Xpress is still intended for use as a big game hunting ONLY chambering, it does offer dramatically longer throat life then any of the smaller caliber Allen Xpress wildcats. The 300 Allen Xpress is fully capable of harvesting the largest N. American big game at ranges exceeding 1 mile but it is recommended to keep max range to 1500 yards simply because of time of bullet flight.
Pros:
-Extreme performance level for 30 caliber.
-Extremely strong and high quality parent case.
-Relatively long barrel life.
-Easy to form brass (brass available from APS fully formed)
-Wide range but bullet selection.
-Wide range of suitable powders.
-Comfortable recoil levels.
-Extreme ranging ability. Well past 2500 yard max ranging ability.
Cons:
-Still relatively short barrel life, recommended ONLY for big game hunting.
-Parent case is more costly then some of the other brass on the market.
-Case forming is a bit more involved then some other 6.5mm caliber magnum wildcats.
Left to Right: 338 Lapua Magnum case, 300 Allen Xpress w/ 240 gr. Sierra Matchking, 300 Remington Ultra Magnum. The 300 Allen Xpress is on the top of the performance ladder easily matching the performance of the MUCH larger 30-378 Wby yet doing so with roughly 12 grains less powder capacity and also much shorter over all length in ammo making it easier to chamber in repeating receivers.
Parent Case: 338 Lapua Magnum
Preferred Bullets: 200 gr. Nosler Accubond, 210 gr. Sierra Matchkind, 240 gr Sierra Matchking.
Recommended Powders: Hodgdon Retumbo
Recommended Primers: Federal Fed-215 Large Rifle Magnum
Velocity Performance:
Bullet Weight Velocity(28-30" barrel length)
200 grain 3450-3500 fps
210 grain 3400-3450 fps
240 grain 3200-3250 fps
Recommended Uses:
The 300 Allen Xpress is the first of the APS Xpress family of wildcats that can be considered a heavy magnum wildcat chambering. It is specifically designed for use on heavy game at long to extreme range. While the 300 Allen Xpress is still intended for use as a big game hunting ONLY chambering, it does offer dramatically longer throat life then any of the smaller caliber Allen Xpress wildcats. The 300 Allen Xpress is fully capable of harvesting the largest N. American big game at ranges exceeding 1 mile but it is recommended to keep max range to 1500 yards simply because of time of bullet flight.
Pros:
-Extreme performance level for 30 caliber.
-Extremely strong and high quality parent case.
-Relatively long barrel life.
-Easy to form brass (brass available from APS fully formed)
-Wide range but bullet selection.
-Wide range of suitable powders.
-Comfortable recoil levels.
-Extreme ranging ability. Well past 2500 yard max ranging ability.
Cons:
-Still relatively short barrel life, recommended ONLY for big game hunting.
-Parent case is more costly then some of the other brass on the market.
-Case forming is a bit more involved then some other 6.5mm caliber magnum wildcats.
375 Allen Xpress
Left to Right: 338 Lapua Magnum case, 375 Allen Xpress w/ 350 gr. Sierra Matchking loaded to 2900 fps. The 375 Allen Xpress will easily match the 378 Wby Magnum and do so with 10 grains less powder charge and in a much shorter over all length ammunition.
Parent Case: 338 Lapua Magnum
Preferred Bullets: 260 gr. Nosler Accubond, 300 gr. Nosler Accubond, 350 gr. Sierra Matchking.
Recommended Powders: Hodgdon H-4831, H-1000, Reloader 22
Recommended Primers: Federal Fed-215 Large Rifle Magnum
Velocity Performance:
Bullet Weight Velocity(26-28" barrel length)
260 grain 3350 fps
300 grain 3050 fps
350 grain 2900 fps
Recommended Uses:
The 375 Allen Xpress was developed as a dual role wildcat design. It can be used as a serious Dangerous game chambering when loaded with conventional 300 gr. big game bullet designs where it is suitable for hunting any big game on the planet. It can also be loaded with the 350 gr. Sierra Matchking and perform extremely well as a long to extreme range chambering in a medium to heavy rifle platform. Ballistic performance is slightly less then its 338 Allen Xpress sibling but the larger frontal area of the 375 cal bullet would be more authoritative on big game from zero to 1000 yards.
Pros:
-Extreme performance level.
-Extremely strong and high quality parent case.
-Long barrel life.
-Easy to form brass
-Wide range of suitable powders.
-Very authoritative on big game at long range.
Cons:
-Increased recoil over smaller caliber choices(recoil with APS Painkiller muzzle brake installed is comfortable)
-Limited bullet choices for good long range bullet selection.
Left to Right: 338 Lapua Magnum case, 375 Allen Xpress w/ 350 gr. Sierra Matchking loaded to 2900 fps. The 375 Allen Xpress will easily match the 378 Wby Magnum and do so with 10 grains less powder charge and in a much shorter over all length ammunition.
Parent Case: 338 Lapua Magnum
Preferred Bullets: 260 gr. Nosler Accubond, 300 gr. Nosler Accubond, 350 gr. Sierra Matchking.
Recommended Powders: Hodgdon H-4831, H-1000, Reloader 22
Recommended Primers: Federal Fed-215 Large Rifle Magnum
Velocity Performance:
Bullet Weight Velocity(26-28" barrel length)
260 grain 3350 fps
300 grain 3050 fps
350 grain 2900 fps
Recommended Uses:
The 375 Allen Xpress was developed as a dual role wildcat design. It can be used as a serious Dangerous game chambering when loaded with conventional 300 gr. big game bullet designs where it is suitable for hunting any big game on the planet. It can also be loaded with the 350 gr. Sierra Matchking and perform extremely well as a long to extreme range chambering in a medium to heavy rifle platform. Ballistic performance is slightly less then its 338 Allen Xpress sibling but the larger frontal area of the 375 cal bullet would be more authoritative on big game from zero to 1000 yards.
Pros:
-Extreme performance level.
-Extremely strong and high quality parent case.
-Long barrel life.
-Easy to form brass
-Wide range of suitable powders.
-Very authoritative on big game at long range.
Cons:
-Increased recoil over smaller caliber choices(recoil with APS Painkiller muzzle brake installed is comfortable)
-Limited bullet choices for good long range bullet selection.
338 Allen Xpress
Left to Right: 338 Lapua Magnum case, 338 Allen Xpress w/ 300 gr. Sierra Matchking loaded to 3000 fps.
Parent Case: 338 Lapua Magnum
Preferred Bullets: 225 gr. Nosler Accubond, 250 gr. Nosler Accubond, 265 gr. Barnes TTSX, 300 gr. Sierra Matchking, 300 gr. Berger Gen 2 Hybrid match bullet
Recommended Powders: Hodgdon Retumbo
Recommended Primers: Federal Fed-215 Large Rifle Magnum
Velocity Performance:
Bullet Weight Velocity(28-30" barrel length)
225 grain 3400 fps
250 grain 3300 fps
265 grain 3200 fps
300 grain 3000 fps
Recommended Uses:
The 338 Allen Xpress is one of only two wildcats in the entire APS family of wildcats that can fire a commerically available round (338 Lapua Magnum) with perfect safety and generally fine accuracy. The other is the 510 Allen Magnum. The 338 Allen Xpress will easily match the 338-378 Wby and 338-416 Rigby class chamberings but do so with nearly 10 grains smaller powder charges and in a significantly shorter over all length in ammo. The 338 AX is best used for long to extreme range big game hunting and it performs exceptionally well on heavier game such as elk at ranges over 1000 yards. It is also the first of the APS wildcats that offers a usible barrel life that is long enough so that it can be used for long range varmint hunting and competition use.
Pros:
-Ability to fire factory 338 Lapua ammunition for fireforming or field use if needed.
-Extreme performance level.
-Extremely strong and high quality parent case.
-Relatively long barrel life.
-Easy to form brass (brass available from APS fully formed)
-Wide range but bullet selection.
-Wide range of suitable powders.
-Comfortable recoil levels.
-Extreme ranging ability. Well past 2500 yard max ranging ability.
Cons:
-Increased recoil over smaller caliber choices(recoil with APS Painkiller muzzle brake installed is extremely comfortable)
Not many cons for this wildcat!!
It should also be noted that there are correctly headstamped and fully formed brass available for the 338 Allen Xpress for those that would want to take their rifles over seas where the airlines often require headstamp on ammunition to match that of the rifles chambering engraving. This custom brass is made by Jamison International and while it is not as strong as Lapua brand brass, it is plenty strong to handle the top loads developed for the 338 Allen Xpress.
Left to Right: 338 Lapua Magnum case, 338 Allen Xpress w/ 300 gr. Sierra Matchking loaded to 3000 fps.
Parent Case: 338 Lapua Magnum
Preferred Bullets: 225 gr. Nosler Accubond, 250 gr. Nosler Accubond, 265 gr. Barnes TTSX, 300 gr. Sierra Matchking, 300 gr. Berger Gen 2 Hybrid match bullet
Recommended Powders: Hodgdon Retumbo
Recommended Primers: Federal Fed-215 Large Rifle Magnum
Velocity Performance:
Bullet Weight Velocity(28-30" barrel length)
225 grain 3400 fps
250 grain 3300 fps
265 grain 3200 fps
300 grain 3000 fps
Recommended Uses:
The 338 Allen Xpress is one of only two wildcats in the entire APS family of wildcats that can fire a commerically available round (338 Lapua Magnum) with perfect safety and generally fine accuracy. The other is the 510 Allen Magnum. The 338 Allen Xpress will easily match the 338-378 Wby and 338-416 Rigby class chamberings but do so with nearly 10 grains smaller powder charges and in a significantly shorter over all length in ammo. The 338 AX is best used for long to extreme range big game hunting and it performs exceptionally well on heavier game such as elk at ranges over 1000 yards. It is also the first of the APS wildcats that offers a usible barrel life that is long enough so that it can be used for long range varmint hunting and competition use.
Pros:
-Ability to fire factory 338 Lapua ammunition for fireforming or field use if needed.
-Extreme performance level.
-Extremely strong and high quality parent case.
-Relatively long barrel life.
-Easy to form brass (brass available from APS fully formed)
-Wide range but bullet selection.
-Wide range of suitable powders.
-Comfortable recoil levels.
-Extreme ranging ability. Well past 2500 yard max ranging ability.
Cons:
-Increased recoil over smaller caliber choices(recoil with APS Painkiller muzzle brake installed is extremely comfortable)
Not many cons for this wildcat!!
It should also be noted that there are correctly headstamped and fully formed brass available for the 338 Allen Xpress for those that would want to take their rifles over seas where the airlines often require headstamp on ammunition to match that of the rifles chambering engraving. This custom brass is made by Jamison International and while it is not as strong as Lapua brand brass, it is plenty strong to handle the top loads developed for the 338 Allen Xpress.
In 2007, a new family of wildcats came out of the APS shop. The design goal of these wildcats was to offer a very high level of performance in the 257, 6.5mm, 270, 300, 338 and 375 calibers but do so in a package that offered measurably longer barrel life then their Allen Magnum siblings in the same calibers. Many potential customers had shown great interest in the Allen Magnum wildcats but expressed some concern about barrel life and the shear extreme performance level of these wildcats. The Allen Xpress line of wildcats was designed to offer a high performance option those that do not need or want the extreme performance level of the Allen Magnums. Even though the Allen Xpress wildcats are slightly less potent then their Allen Magnum siblings, they are still at the very top of the performance ladder compared to all other commerical and wildcat chamberings.
6.5mm Allen Magnum
Left to Right: 6.5mm Allen Magnum, 6.5mm Allen Xpress, 6.5mm S.T.W., 264 Winchester Magnum, 6.5mm W.S.M. The 6.5mm AX will easily match the 6.5mm S.T.W. but do so on a significantly shorter case design. Only the 6.5mm Allen Magnum will outperform the 6.5mm Allen Xpress.
Parent Case: 300 Dakota Magnum
Preferred Bullets: 120 gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip, 130 gr. Nosler Accubond, 140 gr. Nosler Accubond, 142 gr. Sierra Matchking.
Recommended Powders: Reloader 25, Ramshot Magnum
Recommended Primers: Federal Fed-215 Large Rifle Magnum
Velocity Performance:
Bullet Weight Velocity(28" barrel length)
120 grain 3550 fps
130 grain 3450 fps
140-142 grain 3350 fps
Recommended Uses:
The 6.5mm Allen Xpress was designed to be used for big game hunting ONLY and in lighter weight portable rifles designed to be used for hunting small to medium big game animals out to moderate ranges (700 yards). It is best used on pronghorn and smaller deer size game where live weight of animals is limited to around 300 pounds or less.
Pros:
-Very impressive performance for its case length, Full equal to the highest performance 6.5mm magnum wildcats on the market today except for its bigger 6.5mm Allen Magnum brother.
-Slightly easier on throat life then 6.5mm Allen Magnum.
-Can be chambered in standard length magnum actions if desired with short throat.
-Better suited to lighter bullet weights then the 6.5mm Allen Magnum.
Cons:
-Still relatively short barrel life, recommended ONLY for big game hunting.
-Parent case is more costly then some of the other brass on the market.
-Case forming is a bit more involved then some other 6.5mm caliber magnum wildcats.
Left to Right: 6.5mm Allen Magnum, 6.5mm Allen Xpress, 6.5mm S.T.W., 264 Winchester Magnum, 6.5mm W.S.M. The 6.5mm AX will easily match the 6.5mm S.T.W. but do so on a significantly shorter case design. Only the 6.5mm Allen Magnum will outperform the 6.5mm Allen Xpress.
Parent Case: 300 Dakota Magnum
Preferred Bullets: 120 gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip, 130 gr. Nosler Accubond, 140 gr. Nosler Accubond, 142 gr. Sierra Matchking.
Recommended Powders: Reloader 25, Ramshot Magnum
Recommended Primers: Federal Fed-215 Large Rifle Magnum
Velocity Performance:
Bullet Weight Velocity(28" barrel length)
120 grain 3550 fps
130 grain 3450 fps
140-142 grain 3350 fps
Recommended Uses:
The 6.5mm Allen Xpress was designed to be used for big game hunting ONLY and in lighter weight portable rifles designed to be used for hunting small to medium big game animals out to moderate ranges (700 yards). It is best used on pronghorn and smaller deer size game where live weight of animals is limited to around 300 pounds or less.
Pros:
-Very impressive performance for its case length, Full equal to the highest performance 6.5mm magnum wildcats on the market today except for its bigger 6.5mm Allen Magnum brother.
-Slightly easier on throat life then 6.5mm Allen Magnum.
-Can be chambered in standard length magnum actions if desired with short throat.
-Better suited to lighter bullet weights then the 6.5mm Allen Magnum.
Cons:
-Still relatively short barrel life, recommended ONLY for big game hunting.
-Parent case is more costly then some of the other brass on the market.
-Case forming is a bit more involved then some other 6.5mm caliber magnum wildcats.
ALLEN PRECISION SHOOTING
