284 . . . your favorite bullet punching paper
- Thread starter DennisH
- Start date
First, 600 yards is Mid Range, not Long Range. The best performing bullet in my Shehane is easily the 180 Hybrid. It is accurate, has the highest B.C. currently available and is seating depth and load tolerant. [br]
As far as Long Range success, I've had some shooting it and I know a few others, too.
As far as Long Range success, I've had some shooting it and I know a few others, too.
In that weight range, I think H4350 would be your first choice. I shoot the highest B.C. I can, so have not done much with the lighter bullets. When I tried them initially, H4350 performed really well.
[br]Cakes said:
Can you name a major competition won with it since the 180 Hybrid was introduced?
The 1st bbl I chambered for the 284 was a PacNor 1:9, 3-groove, and it's always seemed to prefer a H4831/S175MK load over anything I've tried with the 180s, including Berger 180 VLD, BTHP & Hybrid, plus the JLK 180VLD. I bought a box of the S180MKs a couple of years ago, but haven't gotten around to trying them yet. Hornady 162s shoot 'OK' in this bbl, but seem to do better when loaded in milder loads relative to what I use with any of the heavies, or 168 VLDs for that matter. Same goes for the AMaxes in the latest 284 bbl, which is a Bartlein 1:9 in their 5R configuration, though it shoots the AMaxes more accurately than the PacNor does. This new 5R has really hammered with JLK 168VLDs when loaded warm with RL17; unfortunately, Steve has discontinued the 7mm 168.
I dinked around with Sierra 130, 150, & 168 Match Kings in a 7-08 AR-10 a year or so ago, but this one hasn't shot very well with anything but the 130s. Maybe the 1:10tw bbl has something to do with it, but I also tried S140 Game Kings; the 130MK is still the only bullet to shoot sub-MOA groups at 600yds. While the 130's BC doesn't come close to that of the 162 AMax nor any of the heavier 7mm bullets, it's something you might experiment with if you're looking at nothing farther than 600yds.
I dinked around with Sierra 130, 150, & 168 Match Kings in a 7-08 AR-10 a year or so ago, but this one hasn't shot very well with anything but the 130s. Maybe the 1:10tw bbl has something to do with it, but I also tried S140 Game Kings; the 130MK is still the only bullet to shoot sub-MOA groups at 600yds. While the 130's BC doesn't come close to that of the 162 AMax nor any of the heavier 7mm bullets, it's something you might experiment with if you're looking at nothing farther than 600yds.
[br]Cakes said:
There are only two or three state tournaments that should be considered major, I wouldn't put Minnesota among them. I shot the Berger SW Nats the last three years and the US Nats last year. Most competitors shooting 7mm cartridges were using 180 Hybrids. I was beaten by David Gosnell in the 2011 Arizona Palma (not major) when he was shooting Berger 175 XLDs but cannot recall another. There is no doubt that the A-Max can shoot well. It's just a lot of B.C. to give up and put yourself at an initial disadvantage. If you shoot on ranges with mild wind, it would be a good choice at 600. Our ranges tend to be pretty windy and a higher B.C. is a big advantage. When I attend a major tournament, I assume that most competitors shoot at least as well as I do and the best are better. So, it is important not to cede any equipment advantage before the first shot is fired. When shooting with these folks, if you lose a point, it is very unlikely that you will get it back. [br]
Relatedly, it's somewhat puzzling that Hornady has never introduced a a heavier 7mm A-Max. They have a good range of caliber .30 A-Max and even offer a 750 grain caliber .50. Why not a 7mm 180?
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