Which do I Choose ?

[rebeltex]

This is the second set of groups from 5 different bullets in my 260.
First test a couple of days ago gave very similar results except for slightly larger groups due to more wind.
Rifle is a Savage PTA action, Shilen Select Bull Barrel with about 1350 rounds on it, A HS Precision stock with a Nightforce SHV 5-20 scope.
All Loads are 42.0 gr H4350, Lapua Brass and CCI BR2 primers.





Center group is Hornady 140 gr ELDM
.290 group
2672 fps
sd 7.8

Top left group is Berger 140 gr VLD
.426 group
2661 fps
sd 8.0

Top right group is Sierra 140 gr MK
.338 group
2695 fps
sd 4.3

Bottom left group is Lapua 139 gr Scenar
.421 group
2717 fps
sd 16.0

Bottom right group is Hornady 140 gr Match
4 in .307 5 in 505
2669 fps
sd 11.1

WHAT do you guys think?
It's amazing to me that 5 different bullets grouped so well and shot pretty close to the same Point of aim.

 

[cheek9075]

I would say It depends on what you intend to do with the rifle and the load. Targets, hunting? After that I would picknthe bullet for what you intend to use it for and select from that.

All groups look good and I'd say if you adjusted load some more after you pick the use and bullet you could tighten the group up more.

 

[rebeltex]

I would say It depends on what you intend to do with the rifle and the load. Targets, hunting? After that I would picknthe bullet for what you intend to use it for and select from that.

All groups look good and I'd say if you adjusted load some more after you pick the use and bullet you could tighten the group up more.

I mostly shoot steel with it at 600 yards but I have sniped a few long range hogs with it.
I ran out of all my stash of Amax;s that's why I am testing these.
Yes, I plan to tune the load on which ever bullet I end up Choosing.

Thanks!

 

[butchlambert]

This is the second set of groups from 5 different bullets in my 260.
First test a couple of days ago gave very similar results except for slightly larger groups due to more wind.
Rifle is a Savage PTA action, Shilen Select Bull Barrel with about 1350 rounds on it, A HS Precision stock with a Nightforce SHV 5-20 scope.
All Loads are 42.0 gr H4350, Lapua Brass and CCI BR2 primers.



View attachment 1296982

Center group is Hornady 140 gr ELDM
.290 group
2672 fps
sd 7.8

Top left group is Berger 140 gr VLD
.426 group
2661 fps
sd 8.0

Top right group is Sierra 140 gr MK
.338 group
2695 fps
sd 4.3

Bottom left group is Lapua 139 gr Scenar
.421 group
2717 fps
sd 16.0

Bottom right group is Hornady 140 gr Match
4 in .307 5 in 505
2669 fps
sd 11.1

WHAT do you guys think?
It's amazing to me that 5 different bullets grouped so well and shot pretty close to the same Point of aim.

I've heard the term "bull barrel" for a few years. What does it mean?

 

[rebeltex]

I've heard the term "bull barrel" for a few years. What does it mean?

Contour #​

A​

B​

C​

D​

E​

F​

G​

Weight at G length​

8 Heavy Bull Barrel​

1.220​

--​

1.000​

3.0​

--​

26​

28​

7 lbs 12oz.​

 

[rebeltex]

Can't get those columns to line up.
It's 1.22" at the shank,
1" at the muzzle and weighs 7 lbs 12 ozs.
A heavy profile barrel.

 

[butchlambert]

You will be able to bat the bull!

 

[Bill K]

I would say pick the best one with the bullet you want for hunting and use it for all, or also pick one for a target load and work with those two.
The groups shown all will work, with just some slight scope adjustment in zeroing.

 

[Lone Hunter]

Which bullets can you get the easiest? Right now with shortages as they are that is what I would have to look at. Nice shooting too.

 

[acloco]

What distance are these groups shot at? If 100, back up to 300 and run the same loads again.

 

[rebeltex]

What distance are these groups shot at? If 100, back up to 300 and run the same loads again.

Yes, they were shot at 100 yards off my bench.

I think I'm going to start increasing the load on each to see where they end up velocity wise, well maybe not the Lapua scenars, I don't have very many of them left to experiment with.

When i was using the Amax's my most accurate load as 42.24 gr of H4350 with a velocity that averaged about 2725 fps. I could get a little more velocity but that load shot really well at 42.24 (A&D FX 120i scale ).

 

[acloco]

Bump the distance to 300, if you can. Results will have more clarity.

 

[marchx]

Bump the distance to 300, if you can. Results will have more clarity.

exactly. Both VLDs and SMKs group nicely. As a matter of policy I stay away from everything that has Hornady logo on it.

 

[darkangel_r2]

I'd grab the one you can get the most of from a single lot. Whichever has the best availability. I would not suggest the 140 hornady bthp though.

Hornady eldm and berger have the higher BC numbers of the group. Since its not a tuned load and they have similar accuracy to more forgiving bullets I'd say your barrel likes them enough to go with the highest performers if available.

People laugh at the eldm bullets but if you sort them for bearing surface you can get impressive performance at long range.