Need little help here please: What would be the most accurate bullet for long range? Is it heavier bullet less effected be the wind? I'm shooting 155.5 Berger’s in 1-13 twist .308. If there is no weight restrictions on bullet weight I thought to get a barrel with 1-10 0r 1-11 twist and try some heavier bullets. I would appreciate any feedback! Regards.
155.5gr Berger or 185gr Berger for long range?
- Thread starter Fidain
- Start date
In the USA Palma rules don't specify bullet weight, just either 308 WIN or 223 cartridge. Fullbore rules though DO limit to < 156 grain in 308 as does international Palma.
Either bullet is fine for LR here, 1:10 - 1:12 work for both & many LR shooters are moving away from the traditional 1:13 with the advent of newer bullets that are longer than the 2155 Sierra Palma bullet.
Particularly popular is Berger's 185 LRBT affectionately nicknamed "Juggernaut" by Brian Litz (and others) who uses it to excellent effect in Palma events here in the US.
Either bullet is fine for LR here, 1:10 - 1:12 work for both & many LR shooters are moving away from the traditional 1:13 with the advent of newer bullets that are longer than the 2155 Sierra Palma bullet.
Particularly popular is Berger's 185 LRBT affectionately nicknamed "Juggernaut" by Brian Litz (and others) who uses it to excellent effect in Palma events here in the US.
Thanks for the replies! I live in Atlantic Canada, as far as I know there is no restriction on bullet weight in FTR- Cass. I shot matches last year and many shooters were using heavier bullets against my 155.5gr bullets. I have no experience with heavy bullets. I just ordered myself a 1-10 twist, 30" barrel and going to try some heavy bullets this year. This forum is great.....thanks again for your help!
It appears that the most popular twist rates for long range rifles is from 11.5 to 12.
RStewart
FTR and FPR Competitor- When I Can
Are you having issues with the 155.5's that would lead you to the heavier bullet? I have been having very good results at 600 with them out of a Savage 12 FTR. I also plan to try the "new" Sierra 155 Palma (2156). Since I already shoot a .223 in F-TR at 600 yards, shooting the lighter 155.5 bullets in .308 does not bother me. Sending a round downrange at 3000+ fps doesn't hurt! 
I shoot an F-T/R rifle with 10" twist and the heaviest bullet that will produce results at 1000. Currently, I am shooting 230 Hybrids although the 215 Hybrids will probably produce very close results. Loaded to equal pressure in the same cartridge, a higher B.C. bullet will produce less wind drift. The problem is that all bullets are not designed with equal efficiency. For example: Berger's 105 Hybrid and 115 VLD. The 115 has ~9½% better sectional density than the 105 but they have almost identical ballistic coefficients. I know that the 115 is an older design and this is not an even comparison, but it illustrates the problem when comparing potential bullet performance based solely on weight. In the case of the 230 Hybrid at ~2490 from my 30" barrel, there is no disputing the ballistic advantage. It also brings with it higher recoil which may cause enough handling problems to offset the B.C. advantage. Competitors have performed very well with the full range of caliber .30 match bullets. The best approach is to try some of each and decide what works for you.
It should have been "~2490". Thanks for the proofreading, Nate. A .300 WSM can get that from 32" but a .308 would be "slightly" over pressure.NateG said:"230 Hybrid at ~2940 from my 30" barrel"
Is that a typo (2640, maybe? Still remarkable at that speed) or how on earth are you getting that if it's not? (Or did you switch from talking about an F/TR gun to something else...?)
Makes sense!
I think I might be a convert to the heavy .308 bullets. I tried out some 200 Hybrids yesterday in my Palma gun. I liked 'em. It helped that I've got a massive barrel that I ended up with because of a mix-up in the order. (What should have been a 32" slightly heavier than normal heavy palma contour was actually a 32" extra-heavy varmint contour) It sure did soak up the extra recoil nicely. ;D And the 200s helped immensely in the cold-windy-no-mirage-and-lying-flag sort of day we had yesterday.
I think I might be a convert to the heavy .308 bullets. I tried out some 200 Hybrids yesterday in my Palma gun. I liked 'em. It helped that I've got a massive barrel that I ended up with because of a mix-up in the order. (What should have been a 32" slightly heavier than normal heavy palma contour was actually a 32" extra-heavy varmint contour) It sure did soak up the extra recoil nicely. ;D And the 200s helped immensely in the cold-windy-no-mirage-and-lying-flag sort of day we had yesterday.
Hey, I think we bought our flags from the same place.NateG said:
Keith Glasscock
Gold $$ Contributor
They will buy you a few points *if* your wind call isn't too bad. I've decided to campaign the 200 grainer this year. Next year I'm going to give the 215 a shot. The big advantage in the 200 is that you can still use other bullets because the throat isn't out into the forend. I can reasonably shoot some of the 155 grain bullets, and I have no problems with the 185 LRBT from a throat length standpoint.
The 200 is optimized, but the others shoot darn well too.
I'm getting ~2650 from my 30" barrel and ~2590 from the 26"
The 26 just got set back 3/4" so, I'm probably down to 2575 or so. Still shoots darn well @ 300 - blows mud all over the pit crew too!
The 200 is optimized, but the others shoot darn well too.
I'm getting ~2650 from my 30" barrel and ~2590 from the 26"
The 26 just got set back 3/4" so, I'm probably down to 2575 or so. Still shoots darn well @ 300 - blows mud all over the pit crew too!
I'm running the 200s (with one day of development) at 2650 from a 32" barrel in a 2011 fullbore chamber. A proper throat for 'em would probably be an eye opener. (And shoulder bruiser...)
The flags at Quantico used to be, if not honest, a lot more useful before they put in a berm between ranges 3 and 4 from the 100 yard line to the pits. The flag at the little end of the pits would get some clean air, and show you (mostly) the dominant condition (or at least left/right). Now, with the wind swirling over the new berm, it can show you almost any direction, regardless of where it's actually coming from, and since the wind can blow up to the flag (or down) the angle of the flag can have little to do with the actual strength) Add in a heavily overcast and cold day with no mirage, and, well, there wasn't much to do but chase the spotter--and hope you stayed on the frame! My best string of the day was at 900 when a just a hint of mirage came out--at least you could figure out if you needed right or left wind on. (Though without a no-wind zero with the new barrel, that information was of limited use...)
The flags at Quantico used to be, if not honest, a lot more useful before they put in a berm between ranges 3 and 4 from the 100 yard line to the pits. The flag at the little end of the pits would get some clean air, and show you (mostly) the dominant condition (or at least left/right). Now, with the wind swirling over the new berm, it can show you almost any direction, regardless of where it's actually coming from, and since the wind can blow up to the flag (or down) the angle of the flag can have little to do with the actual strength) Add in a heavily overcast and cold day with no mirage, and, well, there wasn't much to do but chase the spotter--and hope you stayed on the frame! My best string of the day was at 900 when a just a hint of mirage came out--at least you could figure out if you needed right or left wind on. (Though without a no-wind zero with the new barrel, that information was of limited use...)
Keith Glasscock
Gold $$ Contributor
I'm a little off of max at 2650. It shoots well higher, but there is no need to stress stuff too much.
I'm a budget shooter, I have to make everything last forever.
In my case, I learned that the throat doesn't need to be that long for the hybrid. Due to its short-for-weight bearing surface, it does quite well in a shorter throat. I'm running a freebore of ~125 thou and the bullet shank sits right at the neck-shoulder junction. I have a lot of room for wear.
Nate, What powder are you running in that short throat?
I'm a budget shooter, I have to make everything last forever.
In my case, I learned that the throat doesn't need to be that long for the hybrid. Due to its short-for-weight bearing surface, it does quite well in a shorter throat. I'm running a freebore of ~125 thou and the bullet shank sits right at the neck-shoulder junction. I have a lot of room for wear.
Nate, What powder are you running in that short throat?
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