Re: New Hornady 178 BTHP load
<span style="font-weight: bold">**Range Report 178gr Hornady BTHP Match Superformance**</span>
Over the weekend I acquired 2 cases of the Superformance 178gr Match ammunition, so I spent the morning checking the performance out of several rifles while I was here at Rifles Only.
The rifles used:
1. GAP Harbinger w/ 20.5" Rock Creek Barrel <span style="font-style: italic">(less than 200 rounds through the barrel)</span>
2. Sniper's Hide Valkyrie (GAP Built) w/ 22" Bartlien Barrel <span style="font-style: italic">(approximately 2000 rounds)</span>
3. GAP AR10 w/16" Bartlein Barrel and AAC 7.62SD Suppressor. <span style="font-style: italic">(approximately 3000 rounds)</span>
Chronograph used was a CED M2 with infrared sensors set at 10ft from muzzle
Conditions for the morning:
Temp. 75
Baro. 30.05
Density Alt. 1000ft
Wind 3 to 5MPH from the Northwest
I established baseline velocities using M118LR out of each rifle for comparison.
<span style="text-decoration: underline">Rifle #1 "The Harbinger"</span>
Baseline MV 2635fps
<span style="font-weight: bold">Hornady Average Muzzle Velocity: 2747fps </span>
Cold Bore Shot #1 2756fps
Shot #2. 2745fps
Shot #3. 2742fps
Shot #4. 2750fps
Shot #5. 2743fps
ES: 14
SD: 4
Dope to 1000 yards:
300 yards: 1.2 Mils
400 yards: 2.0 Mils
500 yards: 3.0 Mils
600 yards: 4.1 Mils
700 yards: 5.2 Mils
800 yards: 6.7 Mils
900 yards: 7.8 Mils
1000 yards: 9.6 Mils
All verified to point of aim, point of impact with a minimum of 3 to 5 hits on target at each distance.
Average wind hold from 600 yards to 1000 yards with .3 Mils to .5 Mils
<span style="font-weight: bold">***Additional Velocities****</span>
<span style="text-decoration: underline">Sniper's Hide Valkyrie</span>
Baseline Velocity: 2701fps
Cold Bore Shot: 2744fps
Shot #2: 2753fps
Shot #3: 2766fps
Shot #4: 2776fps
Shot #5: 2764fps
<span style="font-weight: bold">Average Velocity: 2760fps</span>
ES: 32
SD: 11
<span style="text-decoration: underline">GAP AR10 w/ 16" Barrel</span>
Baseline Velocity: 2550fps
Cold Bore Shot # 1 2591fps
Shot #2: 2582fps
Shot #3: 2591fps
Shot #4: 2585fps
Shot #5: 2583fps
<span style="font-weight: bold">Average Velocity: 2586fps</span>
ES: 90
SD: 2
The AR10 jammed on the first round and each subsequent round walked pretty dramatic, so I stopped here with any further test of the AR10 platform.
<span style="font-weight: bold">**Accuracy**</span>
Accuracy with both the Harbinger and the Valkyrie was outstanding, the rifles both have 1/10 twist barrels and the 100 yard accuracy during the chronographing was well below 1/2 Minute. I would say without trying this ammunition out of these rifles is easily a .1 Mils, 1/3" was easy. As stated the AR10 was not even close to acceptable.
Long range accuracy out of the Harbinger was also excellent, they hit where the rifle was pointed every time. I saw no vertical deviations downrange even at distance, despite a heavy mirage.
Its performance like this that reinforces my contention that a short barreled 308 is better choice for the tactical shooter. These number will bring rifles with 22" or shorter barrels into the land of, not only the handloader, but the land of the 26" + barrels performance. its a no brainer to use this stuff from an 18.5" barrel, or even the 20" as with the Harbinger. The difference between the 22" Valkyrie and the 20.5" Harbinger is 13fps, however you cannot discount the benefits a shorter barrel will give you during movement, or even positional shooting.
As we state in every class, rules of thumb and text written back in the late 60's and early 70's isn't even close to valid today. We have such better bullets, barrels, and powders, it's stuff like this that rewrites the way we look at long range shooting.