Re: New US Military .300 Win Mag Match MK 248 MOD 1
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ChadTRG42</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sandwarrior</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Chad,
Because there are more efficient bullets in 6.5, 7mm, and .338. As MontanaMarine noted, "I wish they would have looked past somebody besides Federal and Sierra." There are several designs out there that are far better than the 220 gr. Sierra bullet they specify. Berger 180's for example pushed at the same muzzle velocity get 150 more yds. of supersonic travel. And, FWIW, they do stabilize better I think than Sierra past supersonic range. I shot both at 4000 ft. elevation not sea level or where I'm at here at just under 1000 ft. But they went truer in flight and truer into the target.
I dunno, I should just be happy they decided to go with more potent 1k+ medicine than the 7.62x51. </div></div>
Sand,
I would agree, but we are talking an across the board caliber/load for many rifles. And all the rifles will need to shoot this load well. If you have ever played with the VLD's in multiple rifles, you will see they are very sensitive to seating depth, and are very finicky from rifle to rifle. The SMK is fairly predictable on how to load it and get good results. The secant ogive bullets, like the VLD, can take a lot of work to get to shoot well. They are not near as easy to get to shoot as the SMK, which has a tangent ogive. Once you find the sweet spot for the VLD in "your" rifle, it will out shoot any SMK, period. But for an across the board bullet, the SMK (IMO) is a great way to go.
And, again, cost is a factor. The VLD bullets will run about 10%-11% more in cost. Factor that over the millions of rounds of ammo, and it's a lot of dough.
I shoot a 260 Rem now, but shot my 300WM for several years in competition. The energy the 300WM offers over any of the 6.5 calibers (and almost all of the 7mm loads) is huge. When you see it hit steel at extended ranges, you understand this energy. The .338 is a good option, but not in the 338 Win Mag. You have to go to the 338 Lapua or bigger to improve over the 300WM. And one of the goals of this venture was to reduce the cost of ammo. The 338 Lapua is a much more expensive option. </div></div>
Chad,
I would agree except we've been banging this drum since the early-eighties. I will agree there is more cost involved, but at what cost to the soldier when that attitude permeates the purchasing process. If the best (by a reasonable margin) is out there, and is reliable, we need to be looking to get it in place.
As far as ringing steel at long distance I will say my 7x57 shooting 168 Bergers hits with authority but not as much as my .300 WM did. However, my 7mm WSM shooting the 180 Bergers hit with more authority than the .300 WM did (at extended ranges) In fairness though, I only shot .208 A-max's and 210 Bergers and Sierra's.
Also, I will agree the Sierra's are easier to fine tune with seating depth. But with VLD's loaded standard off the lands 0.100" I've shot many .5 {edit: MOA} groups of 5 @ 300-600. Now I realize that isn't shooting them past 1k but the inherent accuracy is there. Also, I noted with the Sierra's 210 in my previous post that didn't stay true past supersonic range. We had a number of sideways hits when they hit the target. Note: I missed with 7mm and .308 Bergers and the Hornady as well. But not as much. Again, in fairness, I wasn't shooting the 220 gr. bullet they went to. But in many calibers I've shot, .223, .243, .257, .264, 7mm, .308, .312, .323 using Sierra's higher/est BC bullets for that caliber, I've found that they tend to remain unstable once they pass transonic stage. In many instances I've found the longer Berger VLD's stabilized better than shorter Sierra's. Same rifle, therefore obviously, equal twist.
Sinister,
I agree USASOC is dragging the leg Army into the future. The problem with each Administration change, both military and civilian, the leg Army is allowed to hold us back as much as they can. That's the frustrating part.
Anyhow, it's better than dragging their feet for ten more years when we need it now. And, it is an improvement.
