Best bullet for 600-1000 yards in 308

[rain164845]

A friend of mine is going to try out f-class with his factory savage sporter rifle. I don't know how the rifle is throated and he lives too far away for me to check. Does anyone out there have a recommendation on bullets to use? The rifle should be a 1-10 twist. I think he would prefer to stay on the lighter side for now. I was suggesting the berger 155 fullbore, but maybe the hybrid would be better. Any ideas?
Thanks!

 

[Steve Blair]

If the barrel is less than 26" long, the Berger 168 Hybrid would be a better choice. It is tough to get 155 class bullets up to 3000 fps in short barrels. In fact, with short barrels, the heavier the bullet, the better long range ballistic performance. Berger's 168 Hybrid has a very good B.C. and is a good compromise if he or she is recoil sensitive.

 

[XTR]

If he's new I'd start with 175 SMKs to learn. Until you have some comps behind you the 1 or 2 inches of wind drift that you'll save running Bergers for almost 2x the price is not worth it in my my mind.

If he's new he's going to go through a lot of bullets learning to read wind (a few thousand) and a few hundred learning a reloading method that works for him.

I shoot the 185 LRBT if there is hardware being given away at the end of the day, but if not I run the 175SMK. I'm working on a load to try out Hornady 178 BTHPs.

Berger makes fantastic bullets but at $47/100 vs about $25 to $28/100 for the others they get reserved for matches that count.

 

[delmartin]

I'll vote for the 175 SMK.

 

[Steve Blair]

Berger makes fantastic bullets but at $47/100 vs about $25 to $28/100 for the others they get reserved for matches that count.

[br]
I agree that the 175 Sierra MK is a good bullet but it may be difficult to keep it fast enough at 1000. If Mid Range is the course (good for beginners), it will be fine. [br]
The price difference is not quite what you stated. Powder Valley's current prices on the Sierra 175 MK and Berger 168 Hybrid are $31.34 and $40.48, respectively. What you suggest regarding wind reading and experience is true and the shooter could save some money. It is worth mentioning that the 168 Hybrid has a higher B.C. and can be driven a little faster than Sierra 175's.

 

[xdeano]

my vote is the 155g lapua Scenar. Push them at 2900+fps and you'll blow past those old 175g SMK.

xdeano

 

[XTR]

I'm partial to the heavier bullets, I shot the 175smk all last yr from a 24" tube. Now that was a Rock Creek and it was faster than the 26" stock barrel in the 308 I hunted with. (running a 30" Krieger now) I guess I wasn't thinking that the Sierra prices have gone up, though that's why I'm experimenting with the 178BTHP.

Depending on your altitude you need close to 2600FPS with the 175SMK, (play with it in JBM to get what you really need). I load them over 44.3 gr of Varget in WW brass. Shooting in Oak Ridge at 900 feet actual I had no problems. It's also a forgiving bullet when it comes to jumping.

Pushing 155s at 2900+ is hard from a shorter barrel. I seem to recall that I experimented with loads that were approaching compressed (47gr+) in a 24" and could not get there.

 

[clatarar]

In fact, with short barrels, the heavier the bullet, the better long range ballistic performance.

Care to elaborate? I would think regardless of barrel length, the bullet with a better BC is a better option.

 

[Steve Blair]

In fact, with short barrels, the heavier the bullet, the better long range ballistic performance.

Care to elaborate? I would think regardless of barrel length, the bullet with a better BC is a better option.

[br]
Yes. that is correct. In a given cartridge, loaded to equal pressure, the highest B.C. bullet of similar form will produce the best wind deflection numbers. That said: Loaded with relatively fast powders, the 155-class bullets produce outstanding elevation control at 1000 yards. They just need to start around 3000 to stay above transonic. As the bullet weight increases, so does recoil and rifle control becomes a factor. Most shooters find the best compromise in the 175-190 range. I shot Berger 210 LRBT for a long time and now shoot 230 Hybrids. At ~2500 fps from 30", rifle control is tricky and cannot say that I have it fully under control. So, with short barrels that cannot reliably maintain velocity at 1000, heavier is a better choice. My earlier post could have been better stated.

 

[Heman]

I shoot the 185gr LRBT's and they shot great last week up at Lodi for MW Palma, I didn't feel I was getting blown around as much as the guys shooting the 155's. However as stated the Berger's are gonna cost you $.41 every time you pull the trigger so not really ideal for practice. With my palma rifle here is what I generally use bullet wise.

600yd Midrange- 2155 SMKs 2155's aren't the slickest 155 out there but really at 600 your not loosing much and that bullet just shoots so darn easy.

800-1000yd Practice- If and when I get time to practice at this range I'll shoot the 175 SMKS or the Noslers both shoot the same. They don't take the wind like the 185 but it makes me work harder.

800-1000yd Match- 185gr LRBT if I'm shooting Palma I figure I've spent money driving to a match staying over night, gas I might as well shoot a bullet that is going to work for me and not make me wish I had somthing better.

 

[300 RUM]

A bullet for just starting out should be cheep so he/her can get trigger time in. Hornady's 168 or 178 match are a excellent choice for a first timer. Lapua and Berger are my favorites, but unless your friemd can hold less then a 1/2 MOA your waiting money.

No bullet out there will combat a 2-3 MOA wind, only the shooter can. To be honest the Hornady's 168 or 178 match can only get me to .75 - 1 MOA at best. Where with Lapua or Berger I can get below a 1/2" MOA. So you can see that until your abilities surpass the bullets abilities Hornady is the best for the money.

P.S. - You can win a match with .75 - 1 MOA in a 2-3 MOA wind, Its up to the shooter at that time. Trust me, I KNOW!

 

[Steve Blair]

No bullet out there will combat a 2-3 MOA wind, only the shooter can. To be honest the Hornady's 168 or 178 match can only get me to .75 - 1 MOA at best. Where with Lapua or Berger I can get below a 1/2" MOA. So you can see that until your abilities surpass the bullets abilities Hornady is the best for the money.

P.S. - You can win a match with .75 - 1 MOA in a 2-3 MOA wind, Its up to the shooter at that time. Trust me, I KNOW!

[br]
Do you really have matches with wind that low? Sometimes we see that on first relay but not after the sun is up. When winds are up, the big B.C. bullets make a difference. Western ranges tend to be open with terrain features that cause turbulence and rapid switching. Those conditions favor heavier bullets. I also don't think that .75 MOA would win one of our club matches. I know it would not win a major tournament.

 

[300 RUM]

No bullet out there will combat a 2-3 MOA wind, only the shooter can. To be honest the Hornady's 168 or 178 match can only get me to .75 - 1 MOA at best. Where with Lapua or Berger I can get below a 1/2" MOA. So you can see that until your abilities surpass the bullets abilities Hornady is the best for the money.

P.S. - You can win a match with .75 - 1 MOA in a 2-3 MOA wind, Its up to the shooter at that time. Trust me, I KNOW!

[br]
Do you really have matches with wind that low? Sometimes we see that on first relay but not after the sun is up. When winds are up, the big B.C. bullets make a difference. Western ranges tend to be open with terrain features that cause turbulence and rapid switching. Those conditions favor heavier bullets. I also don't think that .75 MOA would win one of our club matches. I know it would not win a major tournament.

Don't be silly, I was just making a statement. Maybe you didn't understand it. The wind around here may be 7 -12 MOA on avg. If you can't shoot 1/2 MOA at 2-3 your not going to touch paper with any bullet.

 

[Steve Blair]

Don't be silly, I was just making a statement. Maybe you didn't understand it. The wind around here may be 7 -12 MOA on avg. If you can't shoot 1/2 MOA at 2-3 your not going to touch paper with any bullet.

[br]
I understood what you wrote. I just don't agree with it or believe your response. Doesn't matter. I'm sure to see you at Raton in September. We can discuss it then.

 

[300 RUM]

Don't be silly, I was just making a statement. Maybe you didn't understand it. The wind around here may be 7 -12 MOA on avg. If you can't shoot 1/2 MOA at 2-3 your not going to touch paper with any bullet.

[br]
I understood what you wrote. I just don't agree with it or believe your response. Doesn't matter. I'm sure to see you at Raton in September. We can discuss it then.

NO, won't be at Raton, but will be at Camp Robinson in AR on the 21 and 22nd for a back to back 1K match. We can chat their, what do you shoot F-T/R or bench rest