1858 said:
I thought the high velocity and high BC of the Scenar worked in its favor in terms of wind. On paper it looks better than the 178gr A-MAX that I'm currently using.
I've spent a few 6 hour days at the 1,000 yard range now with both my 175gr Sierra MK loads, and my 155 gr Scenars.
The Scenars are great for distance. On calm days.
I have less drop with the Scenar, b/c it's got almost the identical B.C. with roughly 250 fps faster at the muzzle.
At 1,000 yards (3,000 feet) the difference of time in flight is less than 2/10ths of a second. It's not traveling fast enough to beat the wind significantly better than the heavier bullet, especially the heavier winds I see in the poor weather months of the year. All things being equal, the heavier bullets are less affected by the wind. To see the speed make up for what it gives up in mass, the time of flight would have to be about a half a second faster. In my opinion anyway.
The experiences of the long range competitors around here all mention similar observations. Those 155 gr Scenars are great b/c they have less drop, but they don't do as well in wind. It's not so bad 500 yards and in, but the nearer you come to 1,000 the more erratic they print in the wind. More accurately, the more the wind seems to affect them, and the better you must become and either discipline yourself to only shoot with the similar prevailing wind conditions, or get really good at doping for the minor changes.
Hey, don't just take my word on the matter. Try it out for yourself.
Either IMR 4895 or Varget should provide you excellent results. The difference between the two is so marginal that you'd likely not even notice.