Berger 80.5grn Match Fullbore bullets

[260Remshtr]

Anyone using the 80.5grn Match Fullbore in Service rifle? If so how do they work out, better or worse than Sierra 80's?

Thanks,
~260

 

[Taildrag15X]

I couldn't tell any difference in the short testing I did, for the price difference I'll stick with Sierra's in my Service Rifle.

However they did work well through my 1-7" bolt gun I use in F/TR that is set up for Berger 90's, so for Mid Range I'll give them a go at the Next Match.

 

[wboggs]

They are the most accurate bullet in my 1-8 twist 22-6mm.

 

[FroggyOne2]

A friend of mine shoots them in is service rifle and they hammer at 600 yards.

 

[servicegun]

I am in the process of testing them right now. I have an 8 twist Schneider barrel on my SR and tried loads from 24 to 24.8 grains of N540 with the 80.5 and LC case at anywhere from .030 off the lands to jammed. So far none of the loads have been acceptable, nothing even under 1moa. I'm going to keep trying because lots of people around here are very successful with them. I'm going to try some RE-15 and some H4895. I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[rminut]

Interesting that N540 hasn't shown results. I've never used it but I've heard about great results. They all said it was lousy until the high end and then it was THE BEST. I know of one guy that went up to 26 grains for his 1000 yard load but i'm not sure if he had a special long chambered rifle and pushed the bullet way out.

I know a lot of records and titles have been won using RE15 so your testing time might be best served with it.

 

[servicegun]

rminut,

The N540 does seem to work real well on the upper end. I have the Berger 80 vld's going about 2900 and shooting awesome groups with the N540. The only problem I see is it being a double base powder so it wont really tolerate being in a hot chamber very long. Probably will have to re-barrel each year but I think the results are worth it.

 

[rminut]

rminut,

The N540 does seem to work real well on the upper end. I have the Berger 80 vld's going about 2900 and shooting awesome groups with the N540.....

that sounds more like what I usually hear. good groups and fast. I always want to try some but never get to the testing part so my jugs just sit. I never had the ability to outshoot RE15 so I just keep plugging away with it or 4895.
back to the OP question, I always have better groups using Berger's or Amax's. Even I can see the difference at 600. although Sierra's shoot cleans, just fewer X's.

 

[jameydan]

260 shooter,

I just went thru this process myself. I was debating whether to use the 80 AMAX or the BE 80.5. I settled on the Berger using Varget powder, LC cases and WOLF SRM primers.

I looked thru some of the recent posts in the reloading section on nationalmatch.us and found a thread with good info. There was a post that suggested finding the best powder charge for velocity and accuracy, then load and shoot 5 rounds starting at .015" off the lands and going back. I arbitrarily stopped at .040" off the lands and that turned out to be the best load - noticeably.

This load performed well in its first match with a 198-9 at 600yds.

Rifle specs: AR15 A2 upper, 1-7 twist Saturn barrel and a Wylde chamber.

Good luck.