Need a medium to long range target bullet recommendation for 1-12" .308 barrel

[aris]

Not necessarily a deer stalking question - but we have a lot of very helpful people here with varied interests outside of deer stalking, so here goes.

I'm happy with Sierra Match King 175gr .308's (#2275) or the 155gr #2155's - but availability is scarce - and i'm running out! I need a plan B - perhaps even a plan C.

I've been using the Berger Twist Rate Calculator with bits of information I have found online for various bullets - Like the Lapua Scenar's - but the results are borderline. Nothing beats real world experience!

It is a AI with a 26" barrel if that makes any difference - and a 1-12" twist (as advertised - can't say if it is fractionally more or less than that).

What else have people here had good experience with? Looking for shorter 300-600 range - and the occasional longer range 1000. I tend towards Vhit powders.

 

[aris]

I was looking at the Scenar 185:

.30 cal 12.0 g / 185 gr Scenar OTM

The Lapua Scenar bullets are the first choice for superior accuracy. The Scenar is an open tip match bullet with a boat tail design, perfect for competetive shooting in a multitude of events.

www.lapua.com

In the calculator, assuming I can get it to 2650 (unsure) - would have an SG of 1.50 - which according to the Berger Twist Rate Calculator - is on the cusp of stability.

 

[plumber01]

I use an AI for target work as do several of my friends,we shoot most weekends, and we have constant banter going on of which is the best, the most common bullets are either lapua long 155gn,or lapua 168 scenar, and Berger 155 if your pockets are deep enough, whatever crap we come out with, we all tend to shoot about the same.
For 155gn, N140 powder, heavier bullets go to N150
Funny enough at 1000 we all seem to find the 155 L scenar the best, ( after Berger)
good luck

 

[aris]

Yes, i'm using N140 at the moment - but I have been told that N150 will work better for the 175's.
I'll see if I can find some Scenar 155's and give them a go! What load of N140 are you using?

By the way - you referring to 167 Scenar? I can't find a 168 on their website.

 

[aris]

Interesting - when I put the data into the twist rate calculator - the 155L scenar comes out as 'marginally stable' SG of 1.31
Just shows how much real world experience helps.

 

[308tikka]

Scenars are good. TBH for your target needs at 300-600 you dont need bergers and your barrel wont stabilise hybrid 155s anyway.

1000 yards.... It will depend on what size you want your group to be before a bullet recommendation can be made.

Sierra 2155 and 2156 - very good luck finding any. I have 1000x 2156 and they are going nowhere.

You can do a lot worse than hornady eldm in a variety of weights or noslers.

1in 12 will stabilise 190gn BUT possibly not in a 26” barrel and it may need a max charge.

 

[Edinburgh Rifles]

Who says a 1:12” won’t Chuck 155s?
Plenty 12s run 155s without issue

Or Try 168s either smk scenar or nosier custom competition if you want something heavier
Or 178eldm

The blurb that says the 168s won’t work past 600 is largely theoretical

 

[HandB]

Generally I find .308 is a pretty tolerant cartridge. My buddy and I often shoot 180 and 190gr SMKs in our bog standard 24 inch 1 in 12 twist .308s at Bisley with decent results. The powder charge is 40.3gr of N150 so quite moderate and the velocities are tootling along at only about 2500fps. This is an example of these loadings from Bisley at 600yds.

 

[aris]

What about the scenar 185's? Anyone used them In a 1-12?

im not looking to win competitions here - just have some fun and a personal sense of accomplishment.

 

[308tikka]

Who says a 1:12” won’t Chuck 155s?
Plenty 12s run 155s without issue

Its clear as day on the box for Berger Hybrids. 1:11 or faster twist required. Its on their website.

Berger says it, plenty of people with 1:12 and 1:13 30” barrels who didnt read it - or understand it - now say it after loading. You might get the odd barrel which gets an ok performance (my 1/11.5 barrel shoots them) but that isnt why anyone buys berger hybrid.

I use them in a 1/11 twist and they are superb especially at 1000yards.

Other 155s stabilise well in 1:12 and 1:13.

1:12 is capable of stabilising some bullet designs at 190gn, potentially more depending on velocity.

 

[Edinburgh Rifles]

Ah yes
Berger are very long

 

[aris]

From what I can see, stability is directly related to twist rate, muzzle velocity - and length of the bullet.

 

[25 Sharps]

From what I can see, stability is directly related to twist rate, muzzle velocity - and length of the bullet.

Yep that’ll be it.

As for a substitute for the sierra 2155s the nosler 155 custom competition is a very similar bullets and gives good results.

Miles has 200 in stock or one box of 500 2155 by the looks of things (buy them quick as I suspect they’ll go after I post this link!)

MBR Sporting bullets

A range of bullets at very good prices from Sierra, Hornady, Lapua etc

www.m-b-r.co.uk