Why do I see all the 30 cal boys going with the heavies?

[fatelvis]

This question is completely out of curiosity, and no more. For more than 35 years, I have seen competitors using bullets from 155 grains to 175 grains when shooting competitively. I noticed the vast majority of people now are using (at least most advertisements and group orders are showing) bullets from 180 to 240 grains. Why the shift to the the heavier bullets? Now mind you,, I don’t shoot high power anymore, or anything using 30 caliber in competition. Just wondering! Thanks.

 

[farmerjohn]

This question is completely out of curiosity, and no more. For more than 35 years, I have seen competitors using bullets from 155 grains to 175 grains when shooting competitively. I noticed the vast majority of people now are using (at least most advertisements and group orders are showing) bullets from 180 to 240 grains. Why the shift to the the heavier bullets? Now mind you,, I don’t shoot high power anymore, or anything using 30 caliber in competition. Just wondering! Thanks.

Hey Feller, they have probably rediscovered what the buffalo hunters figured out in the 1870s. Retained down range velocity and better wind resistance..... John

 

[ballisticdaddy]

This question is completely out of curiosity, and no more. For more than 35 years, I have seen competitors using bullets from 155 grains to 175 grains when shooting competitively. I noticed the vast majority of people now are using (at least most advertisements and group orders are showing) bullets from 180 to 240 grains. Why the shift to the the heavier bullets? Now mind you,, I don’t shoot high power anymore, or anything using 30 caliber in competition. Just wondering! Thanks.

I have seen 180 grain bullets be the norm for the past 10 years at least, back in 2018 I shot with some guys from Texas that were all shooting big 30 calibers pushing heavies and was told they are much easier to tune and stay in tune and buck the wind.

 

[jelenko]

It's not the weight per se. It's the increased BC.

 

[R.Morehouse]

^^^^^^.....What He Said.....^^^^^^^

 

[perazziguy]

I shouldn't hijack the thread, but if my wife tells me se needs to lose weight, do I say "no, it's better for ballistic coefficient???"

 

[r bose]

Palma shooters are required to shoot 156g or less. The 168g-180g class of bullets don't give enough BC advantage to justify the loss in speed in my opinion. Starting with the 200g -220g (depending on caliber) the BC advantage outweighs the loss in speed and retains downrange velocity and wind bucking ability better.
I shoot a lot of palma 155g class bullets to 1000 yds but in 308 or 300 WM, I will switch to a 210g Sierra or 220g lapua bullets to shoot past 1000 yds. I don't own anything in between.

 

[kyotekiller25]

Higher BCs, better downrange performance, guys shoot further today than 40 years ago.

Same for 7mms. Up until 10-15 years ago, you didn't have anything really good other than the 180g VLD. Now you have a plethora of 180g all the way up to 195s

 

[farmerjohn]

It's not the weight per se. It's the increased BC.

Hey Feller, help me straighten out something in my own mind... after you have made the bullet sharp pointed on one end and boat tailed on the other is there any way to increase the bc without making it heavier.... John

 

[6clint@gmail.com]

I'm not a ballistician but from what I remember of the Litz book I read on it - the specific shape of the Ogive, the taper of the boat tail to the heel & the concentration of mass towards axial rotation node (turns out bullets don't fly perfectly inline with travel path).
If you really want the details, look up Brian Litz and I'm sure Google will provide.

 

[drop_point]

Increased wind resistance of the bullets can keep close tens from becoming close nines.

 

[jelenko]

Hey Feller, help me straighten out something in my own mind... after you have made the bullet sharp pointed on one end and boat tailed on the other is there any way to increase the bc without making it heavier.... John

You can make it longer by reducing the amount of the bullet is as wide as the bore. The 'vld' bullets are an example of taking the same weight and making the bullet longer.

Of course, the shape still needs to be streamlined - just as Hornady, Berger and Sierra have done.

 

[jelenko]

I shouldn't hijack the thread, but if my wife tells me se needs to lose weight, do I say "no, it's better for ballistic coefficient???"

You'd quickly find out what her ballistic coefficient is!

 

[gravelyctry]

You'd quickly find out what her ballistic coefficient is!

Wouldn’t she just hit him harder due to higher retained energy down range?

 

[Willoughby]

This question is completely out of curiosity, and no more. For more than 35 years, I have seen competitors using bullets from 155 grains to 175 grains when shooting competitively. I noticed the vast majority of people now are using (at least most advertisements and group orders are showing) bullets from 180 to 240 grains. Why the shift to the the heavier bullets? Now mind you,, I don’t shoot high power anymore, or anything using 30 caliber in competition. Just wondering! Thanks.

"Muzzle velocity is a depreciating asset, not unlike a new car, but BC, like diamonds, is forever."-German A. Salazar

 

[perazziguy]

You'd quickly find out what her ballistic coefficient is!

I always say "no sweetie, you are perfect!".

 

[Fire Dog]

I always say "no sweetie, you are perfect!".

Happy Wife…. Happy Life…!

This question is completely out of curiosity, and no more. For more than 35 years, I have seen competitors using bullets from 155 grains to 175 grains when shooting competitively. I noticed the vast majority of people now are using (at least most advertisements and group orders are showing) bullets from 180 to 240 grains. Why the shift to the the heavier bullets? Now mind you,, I don’t shoot high power anymore, or anything using 30 caliber in competition. Just wondering! Thanks.

Cause those “Jugs” just shoot so much better…. {:~)

 

[Kracken McGraw]

I shouldn't hijack the thread, but if my wife tells me se needs to lose weight, do I say "no, it's better for ballistic coefficient???"

Yeah go right ahead! lol.

 

[ISS]

Iron Sharpens Iron.

These 30-caliber Heavies are making it much easier to shoot at a 1000 yards to even 2+ miles. The market is now large enough to get the big guys like Berger to bring out higher BC designs. Those bullets make hits easier. Then gunsmiths, one here, work with the Army to make a good 30, like the 300 NM and now NMI to propel those bullets around 3000fps to hit enemy personnel far enough away that they do not even know where the kill shots are coming from. Any people like Brian Litz stay up late at night to make even superior designs.

And anyone that wants to shoot ELR benefits. That includes me.

Rich

 

[Fire Dog]

I shouldn't hijack the thread, but if my wife tells me se needs to lose weight, do I say "no, it's better for ballistic coefficient???"

Dead Man Walking….