.308 Win 155gn bullet choices....and why?

[sharps618]

I was wondering if anyone can share their experiences of their choice in 155gn bullets for a .308Win. Not looking to reach to 1000yds, 500yds is my limit right now, but I see within Sierra at least three different MK's, std, Palma, and tipped, all which carry different BC's. Even Bergers and Amax maybe?
Anyone have any suggestions? I typically use 168's and 180's in my '06 target firearms, but looking to lessen the recoil and go a little faster.

Thank you for any input.

Pete

 

[JBT47]

The Lapua 155 Scenar is an excellent bullet. It works at 1,000 yds as well.

 

[STOMP442]

I have used the Berger 155.5s in a couple .300WSM that clients wanted to lessen recoil but not install a brake on. That bullet shoots amazingly well with a BC that comes pretty close to the 168 class bullets.

 

[MS50]

I use the Sierra Palma #2156 in my Savage stainless barrel 308. H4895 at 2945fps, successful on 1000yd steel targets. 100 yard group is 1/3 MOA. At the time I bought them they were the only 155 available on the rack. I wanted a faster load with less recoil than the 175s I was using. They're cheaper than Scenars. Their bearing surface is significantly shorter than the Scenars. This is apparently a problem for some of those working up loads with the Palma's. I don't fully understand why. Berger's and Lapua's may be better, but I'm going to stick with what works for now.

 

[spclark]

Bern shooting Fullbore / Palma since ‘05, 155’s are called for under Fullbore rules, Palma too everywhere else but USA. 2155’s were my choice when I started, then 2156’s when they appeared.

That first batch of 2156’s sorted to three distinct base-to-ogive lengths so I started using Berger’s 155.5’s & never looked back. (Have noted BtO varitations of up to 0.020” lot-to-lot with 155.5’s but seating them the same [not mixing batches!] they shoot great where 2156’s didn’t.) They’re usually available, popular overseas, and shoot predictably well out to 1,000 yards.

Scenars might too but they cost more.

Tried 155 TMK when they first appeared too. While admitting I didn’t start from scratch with load- and seating-depth testing, I wasn’t impressed with ‘em shot at 600 yards.

Nosler’s 155 is almost identical to Sierra’s 2155, inexpensive & shot well in my 308WIN-chambered Garand a few years ago.

Never felt a need to try anything from Hornady so no opinion there.

 

[FatOldMIHunter]

I was wondering if anyone can share their experiences of their choice in 155gn bullets for a .308Win. Not looking to reach to 1000yds, 500yds is my limit right now, but I see within Sierra at least three different MK's, std, Palma, and tipped, all which carry different BC's. Even Bergers and Amax maybe?
Anyone have any suggestions? I typically use 168's and 180's in my '06 target firearms, but looking to lessen the recoil and go a little faster.

Thank you for any input.

Pete

Just curious. Is 155 gr. a critical number? Barnes has the Match Burner at 155 gr. but also TTSX and LRX tipped in the near vicinity of 141 to 165. Those have a reputation for being highly accurate for hunting bullets.

 

[riflewoman]

155 is the max weight under Fullbore and Palma rules. May also be the limit for F-TR rules as well.

 

[Terry]

http://www.appliedballisticsllc.com/Articles/ABDOC107_3_155Lapua_Scenar.pdf

 

[spclark]

155 is the max weight under Fullbore and Palma rules. May also be the limit for F-TR rules as well.

Correct though technically for 308 it’s “< 156 grain” internationally so heavies are fine under US NRA rules (save for Fullbore) even for F-TR (I believe, but don’t quote me!). Why 155.5’s get so much use.

 

[spclark]

http://www.appliedballisticsllc.com/Articles/ABDOC107_3_155Lapua_Scenar.pdf

And why I point my triple nickels.

 

[sharps618]

I use the Sierra Palma #2156 in my Savage stainless barrel 308. H4895 at 2945fps, successful on 1000yd steel targets. 100 yard group is 1/3 MOA. At the time I bought them they were the only 155 available on the rack. I wanted a faster load with less recoil than the 175s I was using. They're cheaper than Scenars. Their bearing surface is significantly shorter than the Scenars. This is apparently a problem for some of those working up loads with the Palma's. I don't fully understand why. Berger's and Lapua's may be better, but I'm going to stick with what works for now.

Thanks for this , pretty much the same setup I will be using.

 

[sharps618]

Thank you all for the feedback, lot of knowledge here that I can use. A new caliber, and it seems the extrapolation from my '06 base may just be experience with and '06.

 

[sharps618]

Correct though technically for 308 it’s “< 156 grain” internationally so heavies are fine under US NRA rules (save for Fullbore) even for F-TR (I believe, but don’t quote me!). Why 155.5’s get so much use.

No rules apply here, just looking to go faster and less felt recoil, however good to know for F-TR.

 

[Eric Leonard]

I like the 155 Scenars and a hot load of 8208XBR,,,really good vertical and 3,000 fps from 28 inch 12 twist bbls

 

[spclark]

I like the 155 Scenars and a hot load of 8208XBR,,,really good vertical and 3,000 fps from 28 inch 12 twist bbls

Agree! Used 8208XBR for Palma w/155.5’s for three or more seasons. Works great!

(You ought to try Benchmark though, it’s even better!)

 

[Quickoz]

In a 308 Win, until you go to a 185gr or higher. The 155gr just performs the best at the speeds you can push. I run 155.5gr Berger Fullbore in my F/TR 13T barrel and 155gr Palma SMK in my 308 PRS rig. Shoots flat, fast and is accurate. And very easy to tune.

 

[sharps618]

Ok, so will pick out a 155gn'rs and go from there, just hoping the frigidity lets up soon, running out of things to reload.
Thanks all, input is priceless before you start dropping coin on 40 types of bullets.

 

[eyer8]

In a 308 Win, until you go to a 185gr or higher. The 155gr just performs the best at the speeds you can push. I run 155.5gr Berger Fullbore in my F/TR 13T barrel and 155gr Palma SMK in my 308 PRS rig. Shoots flat, fast and is accurate. And very easy to tune.

Can second this! Running a similar setup and you can't go wrong. Let us know how you get on!

 

[rockrat]

I run a 155 amax and Varget in one of my 308's, an Armalite ar30. Smallest groups I have ever shot, smaller than my 6.5 creedmoor

 

[johnfred1965]

I was wondering if anyone can share their experiences of their choice in 155gn bullets for a .308Win. Not looking to reach to 1000yds, 500yds is my limit right now, but I see within Sierra at least three different MK's, std, Palma, and tipped, all which carry different BC's. Even Bergers and Amax maybe?
Anyone have any suggestions? I typically use 168's and 180's in my '06 target firearms, but looking to lessen the recoil and go a little faster.

Thank you for any input.

Pete

If you are only shooting 500 yds, the original SMK 155(#2155) will work just fine and probably be the least expensive. If you ever do decide to go to 1000, I have used the Lapua 155's and haven't wanted for another bullet.