Jerry, the only other caliber .30 bullets I use are 230 Hybrids. I have tried them in F-TR but cannot manage the recoil. I do use them is my .300 WSM where they have been effective.
SB, Would be interesting to see how your load tuning style and barrel would result for muzzle velocity of the 185J. I bet that barrel would have comfortably pushed the 185J to 2700fps with mag length ammo.
I try to test as much as possible the various questions I chat about. yep, it amounts to a lot of money and shooting but I have learnt a long time ago, printed info doesn't always jive with real world results.
WRT to load manuals, I took a quick look at the Hodgdon site as they have the most common powders used and likely current data. With the 155's in a 308, 24" barrel, vast majority of loads maxed out UNDER 2900fps. Can it be loaded faster and be accurate... of course.
Is over 2900fps the "norm", not when you look at published data. So if you are going to pick one way to look at data, that has to be applied to all subjects.
On the same site, 180's were around 2660fps and 190's were around 2570fps - how does the ballistics work out now?
BUT all the number crunching in the world is moot when bullets go through targets at 1000yds. And when shooters start launching lead wrt to the best LR balance of recoil, ballistics and ability to hit the target, the result is clear. Bigger, to a point, is better (no problem shooting and controlling 230's in my FTR rifle)
Initial velocity may have a significant role at short to mid range BUT real world BC takes over when distances go to 1000yds and beyond.
If you chat with a Palma shooter, their rule of thumb is 1MOA for every MPH at 1000yds. That is a very simple way to remember your dope. Ask a current FTR shooter, I bet their value is a lot less... mine certainly is.
A pleasant afternoon shooting with others using a range of bullets on a marked target will be a very enlightening experience... and a lot of fun.
If you are near a range that shoots F class at 1000yds, try and volley fire with a few shooters, each with a different bullet and see where all the bullets end up on their target. Make sure the zeros are good and of course, the mechanical accuracy of each rifle/ammo to be similarly good.
Volley fire means all shooters fire their rifle at the same time... 3, 2, 1 BANG. When the targets pop back up, plot where each shot goes. 10rds on a windy day and you will have your answer.
Everyone holds on the same place and just let the bullet do what it is going to do.
Jerry