Berger 215 hybrid in 308 thoughts

[Keith Glasscock]

Throating for two different bullets is a balancing act. My reamer cuts .141 and it is about .020 short for the old 215's. On the other hand, at .141, I can shoot the 155.5 with .110 in the neck and a .020 jump. As the throat wears, I'll have to start using longer bullets for everything. The 185 LRBT actually is easier to keep in the case than the 185 hybrid.

A .166 freebore would give the shooter ~.180 in the neck with 185's and be right at the neck/shoulder junction with the old 215's. I think that is why Kiff has the F/TR reamer set up that way.

 

[broncman]

HEADS UP!!!!!

PV has the new 215 part number in stock!
:'(....this sport is breaking me up? I thought it was going to be cheaper than racing so I got out of racing!

Getem while you can.

 

[gsg5pk]

+1 As you wrote.

Dave also recommend to go F-TR Reamer with .088 fb for mag box and .168 fb for single shot.

So, I order each for different set up.

Throating for two different bullets is a balancing act. My reamer cuts .141 and it is about .020 short for the old 215's. On the other hand, at .141, I can shoot the 155.5 with .110 in the neck and a .020 jump. As the throat wears, I'll have to start using longer bullets for everything. The 185 LRBT actually is easier to keep in the case than the 185 hybrid.

A .166 freebore would give the shooter ~.180 in the neck with 185's and be right at the neck/shoulder junction with the old 215's. I think that is why Kiff has the F/TR reamer set up that way.

 

[Johnboy]

I know you guys are really into the 185/215 bullets,but what do you guys think about the 200gn hybrid.My reason for asking is because my friend and I have worked up a load for them,one in a 308 and the other in a 300wm.I might be shooting the 308 load soon in a FT-R match,just hope all goes well for use to go.( first match ) If I to may ask while on the subject,what do ya'll think about my load for the 308.

Here is my load Lapua brass, 42.5gn 4064 C.O.A.L is at 3.090 at the tip and its running around 2500fps So far its able to shoot 5 rounds behind a dime at 100,I know this is just a starting point,but hope it gets better,or with a little help maybe even change the bullet/load before the match.This is why I am asking for you opinions.Thanks for reading even letting me jump into your post,Or should I have asked first,but sorry if I have jumped into something that I shouldn't have jumped into...Just trying to get set up for the match,again first one ever so please be nice.

 

[broncman]

No problem. If you have a good load at 100 and it is your first match, then dont waste anymore brain time on your load!

At 1000 EVERYTHING gets amplified with a 308. The stress of it being your first match and how the match is ran, then you gunhandling skills must remain extremely consistent. In the end, if you have all that nailed to perfection but are new to reading the wind....with a 308.....none of that will then matter!

I had an almost windfree morning match the second day I had ever shot at 1000. Had a good score, only dropped 4 shots out of the ten/x ring the whole round. Next match, the wind shows up and it was plain embarassing.

Take the load and go have fun! Reading the wind will get you the biggest improvement on target.

 

[Johnboy]

Thanks for the support,I really needed to hear from a shooter thats been their and done that before.I'll say the load was a just try it and see what happens,and yep it shot great for the first ten shots ever.Hopping soon to get out to 500 and see how well it holds a group at 500.If I can get it to hold a 2-3" group at 500 I think that it will be right at my and the rifles best,but would like to see better,who doesn't.

just in case you wanted to know the match I'll be at is in PA May 31-June 2 Bryan Litz will be shooting and is a big part of the match.Again just hope that all goes well here at home,so my friend and I both can be a part of a new and great world to use. ( FT/R shooting ) yeah baby

 

[thefitter]

I know someone already asked this but I did not see where it was answered... what twist?

I tried to get 210 AMAXs to stabilize in my 1-11.25 and it just never worked very well.

 

[Keith Glasscock]

10 twist is mandatory in my opinion for the 215 and 230. The 210 grain bullet class is a little different. Some of them did quite well for me in an 11 twist benchmark barrel. I do also share your observation that accuracy starts to suffer long before keyholing and other indications of instability appear.

 

[birdyshooter]

Hey guys. I'm new to posting here but have been lurking for years trying to keep up with you guys on new developments. As of now I'm still on the 178 amax and doing well with them. I dont have quick load, but what kind of gains are we to expect in windage from say the berger 168, 185, and the 215? And is the increase in recoil worth the cost? Good to finally talk with y'all.

Randy

 

[Keith Glasscock]

Randy,

Actually, the 168 Berger hybrid will reduce both windage and recoil!

PM me some more specifics about your setup (barrel length, twist, brass brand or H2O capacity, COAL where the Amax touches the lands) and I'll PM you some numbers to look at.

What yardages do you shoot most? What is the primary purpose of the rifle? Tactical/Long Range Hunting isn't bad, but it does change the concepts behind choosing a bullet.

To give you a simple answer, I think that the increase in recoil does not justify the difference in performance between the 215 hybrid and the 200 hybrid at 1k. Now, the 185 does so well in certain barrel lengths that I think it might be the go-to bullet for 500+ yards.

Keith

 

[LESLEY]

I know someone already asked this but I did not see where it was answered... what twist?

I tried to get 210 AMAXs to stabilize in my 1-11.25 and it just never worked very well.

when did they start making 210 amaxs

 

[LESLEY]

Hey guys. I'm new to posting here but have been lurking for years trying to keep up with you guys on new developments. As of now I'm still on the 178 amax and doing well with them. I dont have quick load, but what kind of gains are we to expect in windage from say the berger 168, 185, and the 215? And is the increase in recoil worth the cost? Good to finally talk with y'all.




Randy

Question is do you want to win

 

[birdyshooter]

Lesley-

I'm not quite shooting compitions yet, but more or less thinking down the road for when I do. I'm not knocking the lights or the heavies in any way here. But since I don't have access to quickload I'm just wondering how these three stack up by crunching the numbers. Are we talking millimeters, inches, feet, or yards when it comes to wind deflection when all three are pushed to the max in 30"+ pipes? And if I start looking like Michael J. Fox behind the trigger after 20 rounds of 215's what have I gained?

Randy

 

[broncman]

Some quick calculations in Shooter for windage at 1000 yards with 10 mph wind.

175 SMK 2750fps 93"
185Juggernaut 2750fps 73"
215 hybrid 2600fps 65"
215 hybrid 2500fps 69"

Depending on how fast you can drive the 215 you can see the advantage. If it causes you recoil issues, you can see why the 185 is so popular because it is not too far off.

5"s horizontally and you drop a point! 1 mph differnce in wind can make a difference!

I installed a KickEez pad on my rifle and no problems with 185's at all. Before with the factory buttpad on the savage, by the end of 3-4 match rd count.I would be sore.

 

[Boisblancboy]

I'm shooting the 230's currently. I'm a small in stature guy and haven't had a problem dealing with the recoil. But I also built my gun to be within oz's of regulation max weight to help with recoil. Not that recoil doesn't affect each of us different but if you can shoot a heavier bullet well it will be an advantage.

 

[thefitter]

I know someone already asked this but I did not see where it was answered... what twist?

I tried to get 210 AMAXs to stabilize in my 1-11.25 and it just never worked very well.

when did they start making 210 amaxs

They don't, I was thinking AMAX and writing Berger.

 

[paulT]

What velocity range could be achieved with the 215 hybrids with a 34in 308 barrel and varget or similar powder.

 

[Steve Blair]

What velocity range could be achieved with the 215 hybrids with a 34in 308 barrel and varget or similar powder.

[br]
With Varget: 2550+. With H4350: closer to 2600. I recommend using Lapua Palma brass for longevity. I use Palma cases with 230 Hybrids in a 30" F-TR rifle.

 

[paulT]

Thanks Steve for info, For FTR Are the 215-230 hybrids easy to tune in comparison to the lighter 185-200g berger offerings.

 

[Steve Blair]

Thanks Steve for info, For FTR Are the 215-230 hybrids easy to tune in comparison to the lighter 185-200g berger offerings.

[br]
Yes, they are easy to tune and very accurate. They do cause dynamic problems on the bipod. I've been concentrating on F-Open and haven't been able to devote much time to F-TR. As a result, I still cannot shoot the 230's reliably from the bipod. Shot with a sled under the forend and from a rest, they are outstanding.