F T/R Competition Bullets for LR

[chefcam864]

I was hoping some more experienced long range shooters can chime in on this one:
When shooting heavyweight 308's(200+gn) on a very calm day, do you feel that you are at a disadvantage to those shooting lighter bullets(155gn-185gn)? In other words, do the lighter bullets have an advantage in raw accuracy?

 

[easygoose]

Hey buddy. I think you are opening a can of worms here. But in my experience, I have seen guys shoot 200+ bullets nice and flat all day long, so the short answer is maybe not One addition to that is that I've only seen one guy shoot 230s well out of several that I've seen try. I'm not saying the recipe isn't out there, just that it seems like most guys haven't found it.

 

[chefcam864]

Hey Goose. I know you've been around a lot of different shooters this past year. What do you think the current trend is? From what I've seen, it seems like guys are gravitating toward the heavies. My rifle is being chambered for the 185's with a .339" neck, so I'm not sure ho heavy a bullet I'll be able to use.

 

[easygoose]

Well, you'll be able to get away with 200 Hybrids, but you may want to get your smith to throat it out a little. If you are considering it you better get your order in at Bruno's or the like asap.
Looking at your question again, if you're only talking about a "very calm day," I guess the true answer is that I'd shoot a lighter bullet at mid range just because it's cheaper (and I usually have a good load worked up for a couple different bullets) and what difference does it make if there is very little wind. Long range shoot the heavier of your choices every time imho.

 

[chefcam864]

I have about 60 of the 168 Hybrids left from working up loads my old barrel. They sucked in that bbl (2.5" @ 100 yards), but if the Lilja likes them they could be a good lightweight option for MR. G1=.519. You ever try the 208 A-Max? There are about 5 boxes for $38ea available locally.

 

[easygoose]

I have no experience with either. I'd guess that the AMAX would not fit in the chamber with enough powder to put some stank on them, and you might have to jump the 168s a country mile. That being said, you'll never know till you try.

 

[chefcam864]

that's true. I'm trying to find some 185's now. This mess has got to end! What kind of velocity do you get with 200's and Varget? Never played with anything heavier than 185.

 

[40xs]

heavier bullets demand more attention from the shooter in regards to items such as perfect set up of your platform ( solid position, front and rear rest solidly bedded, follow through, cheek weld, grip, bipod loading, etc. ) everything exactly identical from shot to shot. Lighter bullets tend to be a little more forgiving of these than heavies are. Not to mention that your rifle has to have the proper twist rate for whatever bullet you are using and enough muzzle velocity to benefit from the published bal. coefficient. A high bc is no benefit if the bullet is going too slow or not spinning fast enough. As somenone aleady said cost is the biggest variable when considering at what range you choose the heavies. I've seen some impressive scores turned at shorter ranges using longer, heavier bullets.

 

[chefcam864]

I guess I'll find out soon. I'll have my rifle back from the builder next week. Can't beat a 1-1/2 week turnaround! I'm going to start with pointed & trimmed 185 LRBT's. I've never had the twist to shoot heavies, so I'll definitely be trying them when I can get my hands on some.

 

[XTR]

Bruno's and Powder Valley both have 185s in stock.

 

[gigamortis]

heavier bullets demand more attention from the shooter in regards to items such as perfect set up of your platform ( solid position, front and rear rest solidly bedded, follow through, cheek weld, grip, bipod loading, etc. ) everything exactly identical from shot to shot. Lighter bullets tend to be a little more forgiving of these than heavies are. Not to mention that your rifle has to have the proper twist rate for whatever bullet you are using and enough muzzle velocity to benefit from the published bal. coefficient. A high bc is no benefit if the bullet is going too slow or not spinning fast enough. As somenone aleady said cost is the biggest variable when considering at what range you choose the heavies. I've seen some impressive scores turned at shorter ranges using longer, heavier bullets.

I can agree with this from firsthand experience. I normally shoot 178gr Amaxes, and just recently tried some 208gr Amaxes. I found that shot to shot repeatability was more labor intensive when shooting the 208s out of my 13.5lb F/TR rig. The increased recoil of the 208s made the gun jump more necessitating more gun and bag repositioning to set up for the next shot.

On another note concerning repeatability, my wife shoots a bone stock .223 Savage model 12 Varminter with 80gr Amaxes pushed by Varget and cleans house regularly in our club's 600 yard F-class matches. The recoil from her rig is ridiculously light compared to the rest of us guys' 30 cal rigs shooting on the same rifle line with her. I've only shot it to work up some loads, but I have first hand noticed the ease of shot to shot repeatability with it. It is definitely less work to shoot her rig repeatably as compared to the heavier recoiling .30 cals. You just have to have the patience to play or wait out the wind a little more.

 

[Tactical]

It tends to take more effort to get the heavies to shoot as well as the lighter bullets.

With that said I am shooting the new Lapua 175 Scenar L and 220 Scenar L's and the 220s shoot little tiny groups at all ranges from several different loads

 

[Down South]

It tends to take more effort to get the heavies to shoot as well as the lighter bullets.

With that said I am shooting the new Lapua 175 Scenar L and 220 Scenar L's and the 220s shoot little tiny groups at all ranges from several different loads

Good to hear about the 220s. Buddy of mine is shooting them in F-Open with a 300 WSM and he likes them. Another friend of mine is shooting the 175 L bullets in FTR midrange matches and he speaks highly of them also. Only Scenars i've ever tried were the 155s and they shot very well. Did you ever shoot the 185 Scenars in your FTR rig? I shoot the 185 hybrids and juggernauts because the BC is higher but was curious about how the 185 Scenars shoot.

 

[Tactical]

I have shot the 185 Scenar and 185 FMJ Lapua bullets. Both are easy to make fly well. The 185 Scenar has a slightly lower BC than the Berger 185 Jugg does.

I like the new 175 Scenar L because it moves fast and has high BC. The 220 Scenar L is like a train and seems to take far less wind correction than any other F TR Bullet I have used

 

[Down South]

I have shot the 185 Scenar and 185 FMJ Lapua bullets. Both are easy to make fly well. The 185 Scenar has a slightly lower BC than the Berger 185 Jugg does.

I like the new 175 Scenar L because it moves fast and has high BC. The 220 Scenar L is like a train and seems to take far less wind correction than any other F TR Bullet I have used

Thanks for the reply, im also curious as to how the 220 Scenars compare to the 215 and 230 Berger Hybrids as for accuracy and wind bucking ability.