Choosing bullet for new barrel

[Fast14riot]

Nearing completion on a milsurp sporter that I've done quite a bit of work to. Barrel, trigger, bolt, stock, optics, ignition system have all been tuned and/or upgraded. This gun will be a hunting gun first, but I shoot matches much more often than I hunt, so I would like a good target grade bullet as well.

I've been looking into the Berger 175 VLD Hunting bullet. Gun in .30-'06, barrel in 1:10, 26", CBI, tight SAAMI chamber. For hunting, I hunt Highland desert, haven't taken a deer or goat inside of 300 yards in over a decade, so 150's etc won't be my first choice. How well does this bullet perform on paper at ranges up to 1K? Would this be an ideal dual purpose bullet for now? Until I am forced to hunt either exclusively out of state or to use solid copper bullets?

-Alexander

 

[Zero333]

I would pass on the 175gr and go with the 185 Berger VLD hunting or 180 Sierra SPBT.

Which ever one shoots best in your rifle will do everything you need it to do.

 

[Fast14riot]

Thanx, any particular reason why you would choose the 185vldH over the 175vldH? Sierra 180SPBT are a good bullet, too. Just curious what your thinking is, not like I'm set of anything yet at all.


-Alexander

 

[DHD]

I think you are going to have to let the rifle decide. I have a shelf full of bullets I wanted my rifles to shoot well and the only way I could really find out was through testing those particular bullets. I used to be 30-06 rich, but have moved to smaller stuff. I still have a love for the war horse though. The 30-06 I still have loves VLD's from 168 to 185. When I get to the 185's recoil becomes more pronounced as the rifle is not a heavy weight and the 168's shoot great. There is not a huge difference, but you notice when you shoot a 185.

Personally I think either the 175 or 185, assuming they both shoot well in your rifle, will get your job done. Both are available in Hunting and Target versions (I usually just shoot Hunting and call it good), and while your rifle may prefer one over the other, both weights will meet your needs.

What is your rifle exactly? I saw your barrel specs, but what action, stock, scope, etc.?

 

[Fast14riot]

Rifle is M1917, Timney trigger, Boyd's Prairie Hunter stock, old Bushnell 4-12 scope acting as a place holder while I save for a new scope. Probably weighs under 10#. Good thing about these, they are super long and can fit VLD loads in the magazine.

I'll be using Win brass, Fed210M, probably start with H4831.

-Alexander

 

[DHD]

Don't rule out H4350 or in a pinch IMR4350. I have extremely good luck with them in my 30-06. I would consider H4831 a good choice also.

FWIW, I use WW brass, Wolf LRM or PMC LR, H4350, 168 VLD +.015" @ 2850 fps. There is more velocity on the table, but it shoots good there (and it is not a heavy rifle so enough is enough).

 

[Fast14riot]

I've got about 14 pounds of H4831, so that's the only reason I'm starting with it.

 

[284winner]

Punch the velocities in a Ballistic calculator such as the infinity program or Berger's calculator. You'll notice the better BC in the 185 vld vs the 175 vld. The velocities aren't nearly as different as the BC. Look at your 1000 yard numbers on both bullets. You'll really see the difference in the drop and velocities at 1000. Mine shot the 185 vlds much better beyond 600 yards. I used RL15 and pushed them to the max.

 

[Drop Port]

At 1K I'd also be looking hard at the 215's and some R-17 or 22

 

[Fast14riot]

I have a couple boxes of 210SMK that haven't sold, I may use those if I ever do shoot this thing at 1K, but realistically it will be mostly shot inside of 800. This is a hunting rifle, so it won't be spending much time on the 1000 yard line.


-Alexander