AR 30 .338 lapua cutting edge bullets.

[mr.shamshield]

Hi I'm new to the site and long range shooting in general. I was wondering if anyone had ever tried cutting edge mtac bullets? I just got back from the range running 227 grain mtacs through my ar 30 and I was really disappointed with them. I was getting 3 inch plus groups with them. I am wondering if I should play more with the seating depth or just give up on them. Also does anyone have any recommendations for proven loads for this rifle. It was sub moa with Hornady 250gr factory loads but I am having a hell of a time finding a hand load it likes. Anyway thanks for reading and any recommendations for other bullets to try would be appreciated too.

 

[jonbearman]

If you are getting vertical with your groups then by all means try seating depth changes from just touchibng to up to .050 thou jump.The cutting edge are probably good bullets but very expensive.Can you find any 250 grain hornadys to try? What yardage are you shooting at.

 

[CatShooter]

Hi I'm new to the site and long range shooting in general. I was wondering if anyone had ever tried cutting edge mtac bullets? I just got back from the range running 227 grain mtacs through my ar 30 and I was really disappointed with them. I was getting 3 inch plus groups with them. I am wondering if I should play more with the seating depth or just give up on them. Also does anyone have any recommendations for proven loads for this rifle. It was sub moa with Hornady 250gr factory loads but I am having a hell of a time finding a hand load it likes. Anyway thanks for reading and any recommendations for other bullets to try would be appreciated too.

If you are getting 3"+ groups, changing seating depth is not going to help.

The Cutting Edge Bullets are made of solid copper and because of that, they are extremely long for their weight. They might be too long to be accurate in your rifle's twist. C.E.B. specifies a minimum 1-10" barrel twist rate is required with muzzle velocity of 2500fps or greater.

The rifling twist of your AR-30/338 is right at the edge of stability.

Before using these, it would be wise to try a standard design bullet, like the Sierra 250gr MatchKing, to make sure that your rifle (and you) can perform.

Also, since these bullets need to be spun fast, you might find that accuracy increases as velocity increases - so if your starting loads are poor, keep on increasing the load - your groups might start getting better. I have had this experience when shooting long bullets that were marginal for the twist.

 

[mr.shamshield]

Thanks for the input guys. I was at 2950fps at the muzzle. granted I only got 2 readings before my chronographs battery died. Also I was zeroing at 100 yards. I think I will try seating depth adjustments with the ceb's but I have some hornady match, and sierra match king 250 grainers on the way. Hopefully they are a little more forgiving. I repost after I get out to the range again.

 

[cdparker]

I have a Barrett 98B with a 27"barrel. I played around with several powders with the 250 and the 300 grain Sierra. I use Lapua cases, F215 primers and load to magazine length. Using the 250gr., my gun really likes 89.0/4831sc. @2950f/s. With the 300gr. bullet it prefers 92.0/H1000 @2785f/s. With the 250 Sierra, I went to 99.0/H1000 for 3100f/s. Works great also. It is a waste of components and effort to test at 100 yards as it just makes a nickel size hole in the paper. I have a 300 yd. zero on the gun. I use a Remple rest in the front and the mono-pod in the rear. A couple of weeks ago, I set out several clay targets at 300 meters and got my 82 year old buddy to shoot it. He centerpunched 5 in a row. You should have seen him giggle. ;D
I sold my Barrett 99, 50BMG and got this gun in it's place. That was the best idea I have had in quite a while. No reason to have it as I primarily shoot F Class with a 7mm. It's just a HOOT to shoot.
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