How are the Wideners 30 cal milspec bullets?

[Shrinkmd]

I was dreaming up some GP11 reloading scenarios now that berdan primers are available again from Tulaammo at Grafs, so that we can use the brass. Anyway, they have standard and 145b fmjbt, 168 gr bthp "match", and 175 fmjbt "sniper" bullets.

The 168 are certainly cheaper than Sierra matchkings ($93 vs $130 for 500 bullets), but are they any good.

And on a related note, if you have the Meplat trimmer for the Giraud trimmer, would that improve the cheaper bullets up to Sierra standards? Of course, I only shoot at 100-300 yds, so who knows if anything would matter at these ranges?

I am trying to figure out what combination of bullets would make sense for GP11 reloading, vs just buying and enjoying the GP11 and just save the brass for a rainy day.

 

[WNTFW]

I have only tried the 168BTHP.

Very happy with them. I have to date shot a 1/4" 3 shot group with RL15 and Varget with them. Now, I realize they are only 3 shot groups. Also I am not saying that every group is a 1/4" or any other claims. I screw up some of my groups. I can't say what the comparison is at 600yds. I have shot the Wideners out to 600yds. I think they a good enough for what I have done.

In my case I am the weakest link in the system. At 100 yds I can't shoot any better with Sierra, Nosler, etc... In fact I have a box of Hornady just sitting as I see no need to not shoot the Wideners.

My shooting buddy switched to them after seeing the results. So that makes 2 guys, 2 .308 Rem700s and 1 Garand .30-06 that are happy with the 168's from Wideners. On one had I can't lie I am happy with them, on the other I don't want them to be "out of stock" when I want some more.

I hear the GP11 is pretty hard to beat. I would not want to reload Berdan.

ETA: I would not uniform the meplats without trying them as is at the ranges you shoot.

One thing: the Wideners have more taper, less of parallel section. That has not been a problem for me. I seat them 1x neck diameter. I don't try to hit or get near the lands.

 

[USSR]

Save your $$$. Widener's plays fast and loose with the term "milspec". What is milspec about them other than they are they same weight as some LR bullets used by our military? I would much better buy seconds or blems from a reputable American bullet maker. I have bought them from $.14 to $.18 each just in the past 6 months.

Don

 

[Ozarkian]

Don't know about the 168 gr; but, have shot quite a few of their 145gr FMJBT 30 cal through my 30-06. Before I loaded any;out of curiosity, I measured each one of them for OAL deviation and weighed each one for weight deviation, separating them into groups. Ended up with two groups. The largest consisted of bullets that varied by no more that +/- .0025 inches OAL and within +/- 1% bullet weight. The smaller group (maybe 500 bullets) I gave to a shooting buddy to bang away with in one of his old M/N's. To put it succintly, the 145 gr bullet are great for the purpose one can use them for. Making holes in paper or banging the gongs at the range.

 

[Shrinkmd]

And while we're discussing the Wideners bullets, how are their 22 cal 69 gr hpbt match bullets?

 

[Steve in PA]

I've bought a ton of their mil-spec 55gr FMJ bullets for my M4. They work and shoot just fine.

Before the war, I used to buy their Yugo mil-spec 150gr FMJ for use in my M1 Garand. great bullet.

 

[esheato]

Same here...I've had good experiences with their 62 grain lead core and SS109 bullets in my AR. I'd buy 'em again.