Sierra vs Berger vs Lapua

[ScottG1911]

Im shooting out of a 20" 1/12 twist 308 barrel first off. I wonder which bullets will work best in my gun, Lapua Scenar 155's, Berger VLD 168's, or Sierra matchking 168's. so far I've loaded the sierra's but with all the snow i havent tested it yet. and I hate to waste $80 or more just to find out my gun likes the sierra's. but thats life.

 

[45ACPUSER]

You will have to consider EACH gun is a rule unto itself! Till you have results on paper, you will not know!
The Sierra are meant for mag length loading, where as you would need to do more detailed loading with the berger VLD type of bullets.....

 

[NCsmitty]

You can buy bullet samples to try without having to buy a whole box. Scroll down to the 30 cal listing. I would give the Hornady A-Max a try.

http://www.bulletsamples.com/Stock.html

NCsmitty

 

[243winxb]

the 20" bbl will give low velocity. The 1-12 twist will like bullets with the shortest oal, light weight

 

[ranger335v]

"...a 20" 1/12 twist 308 barrel first off. I wonder which bullets will work best in my gun, Lapua Scenar 155's, Berger VLD 168's, or Sierra matchking 168's."

We would too. Let us know. ??

 

[ScottG1911]

The 1-12 twist will like bullets with the shortest oal, light weight

M40A3 @ 1/12 and the M24 1/11.25 both love the Sierra 175's. I'll end up replacing it with either a Rock or Bartlein barrel anyhow at 24" 5R. and the velocity is not too bad in loss since this particular rifle wont probably see 1000m. but if it does that just means more MOA and wind to deal with lol. Truely I know i have to do this on my own, but I figured for some fun I'd start a stupid thread just to see what my fellow THR pals would say

 

[Niles Coyote]

If you are looking at the berger vld's, I get the best accuracy seating those bullets at or just into the lands. But depending on your chamber they may not be mag box friendly at that oal. :banghead:

In my two 308's bergers always seem to shoot better than sierra (even when I dont run them into the lands). Cant help you with lapua bullets, Ive never tried them... yet

 

[243winxb]

Lapua Scenar 155's

How did these shoot? Want real accuracy, go to a 1-17 twist and 112gr bullets.

 

[ScottG1911]

How did these shoot? Want real accuracy, go to a 1-17 twist and 112gr bullets.

Lapua 155's generally shoot very well but as you know can vary rifle to rifle. The weight of the round doesnt corrilate with the twist rate rather the bullets oal. The 155 scenar is longer than most other 155 grain bullet, thus giving you a higher ballistic coeficient and better wind resistance. so if a 155 scenar cuts the wind as good as say a 168 SMK, you will get the bullet performance of the 168 with the velocity of the 155. I generally have 168's going out at 2700fps so If I can get a 155 out at 2800. so while the 168 at 1000 yards is dropping roughly 43 MOA the 155 scenar is dropping around 40 MOA. all because it's getting to the target quicker as I'm sure you know. for sake of argument I used BC of .50 for both rounds cause im too damn lazy to remember actuall BC's. I do remember VLD 168's being .512 anyway just me rambling simple stuff that some may not know

BTW I dont much care about over all mag length seeing as I hardly ever use a mag, dont want to destroy my babies I took time to make