Hey Bubba

3540 Views 10 Replies 5 Participants Last post by BadKarma, Mar 10, 2010

BadKarma

Discussion Starter · Mar 1, 2010

Hey Bubba.
I was looking around for alternative loads and ran across the Lapua 155 scenars. They have a higher BC and people seem to have
good luck with them at 1000 yards plus. Where I'm going to class is pretty much the flat western part of Oklahoma. From those that I've talked to that have been there say the wind is a real bitch. I was wondering what you thought about a lighter/faster bullet at the 1000 yard mark. I guess what I'm asking is do you think, assuming it's accurate in my rifle, that I could do it better with velocity as opposed to bullet mass in regard to wind drift. I looked up a Varget load which is compressed at 47 grains but it's bumping 2900 out of a 24 inch barrel. I'm also wondering if I could get a complete burn with that charge in 20 inches of barrel. I'm guessing here but I figure I'm losing 100 or so FPS with my short tube. I'm also wondering if the 155 would work better being lighter in a 1-12 twist. As always your help, or anyones else that has experience with this bullet, is greatly appreciated. I'm not all that worried about the 600 yard shot, I'm pretty confident that I can pull that off, but the 1000 yard is the great beyond for me at this point.

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jerrschmitt

· #2 · Mar 1, 2010

I don't shoot ,30 Caliber any more but here is a great article by Brian Litz on your 155 Lapua. By the looks of it, I'd sure give it a try. Brian is the Guru from Berger and really knows his stuff.

http://www.appliedballisticsllc.com/index_files/Lapua_Scenar.pdf

Edit to add link I forgot.

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thornblom

· #3 · Mar 1, 2010

Hey there Bad Karma,

The only 155 grain bullet I have toyed with is the 155 grain Sierra Match King. I used 46 grains of Varget in Remington cases sparked by Fed 210-GMM primers. My rifle didn't particularly like them.
My rifle is a Remington 700 VSF .308 26" fluted heavy barrel with a 1 in 12" twist, HS stock, Leupold 4.5x14 AO TAC scope. I was getting 1.5" groups at 100 yards. No where near good enough. So far, my rifle does it's best with the 175 grain SMK and 43.1 grains of RL-15, that's about 2655 ft/sec and still over 1200 ft/sec at 1000 yards. .500" 5 shot groups at 100 yards. I'll just stay with that load as it is basically the M118LR load that the Marine Corp snipers use in the field and in Matches and we all know how good they shoot.

The 155 grain Scenars may be somewhat better. But I have no experience with them. And, the folks who are using the 155 grain bullets are using 28", 30" and 32" special twist barrels.

The only way to tell for sure is to try them.

Sincerely,
Dave (Bubba) Thornblom

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BadKarma

Discussion Starter · #4 · Mar 4, 2010

Thanks Bubba. I don't go to this class until late June so I've got some time to work one up. I've
just never had the opportunity to shoot past about 600 so that's where my experience ends.
As always you are a big help!!!!!

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BadKarma

Discussion Starter · #5 · Mar 4, 2010

jerrschmitt said:
I don't shoot ,30 Caliber any more but here is a great article by Brian Litz on your 155 Lapua. By the looks of it, I'd sure give it a try. Brian is the Guru from Berger and really knows his stuff.

http://www.appliedballisticsllc.com/index_files/Lapua_Scenar.pdf

Edit to add link I forgot.

Thanks Jerr
I read the article, OK I read the article three times before I caught on. Based on what Litz found I think these are worth a try.
Loading some tonight for a range trip tomorrow. Will see how it goes.
Thank you for your help.

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thornblom

· #6 · Mar 5, 2010

Quick, in Austrailia, is in the process of using up his 155 loads so he can go with the 175 smks. The 155s didn't work for him in his .308 700 20" barrel SPS Tactical. Him and his shooting partner do quite a bit of shooting at 800 900 and 1000 yards and are better served with the 175s , so they say.

I for one, believe them. They are the best bullet in my rifle so far, at any distance.

Sincerely,
Dave (Bubba) Thornblom

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Quick

· #7 · Mar 5, 2010

Thats it Dave. I should have my 155gr all gone within about 2 weeks and then its time to get some 175 and re-zero. The 155 doesn't perform aswell as the 175 at long ranges, the 155 must be keep super sonic and my barrel doesn't allow for that. Id have to load very hot and all 155gr factory loads (I dont reload yet) are designed for PALMA rifles in mind, 26 - 32" 1-13" Barrels. I have a 20" 1-12" Barrel. Big difference. If you want to shoot out to 1000m and do it successfully, Id switch to 175gr SMKs, they are designed for long range work and punch through the transonic barrier very well, the 168 does not, it was designed for 300yd/mt BR comps. If you want to run 155gr, by all means, but make sure that you have a 24-26" barrel and can keep them super sonic to whatever you want to hit.

The Lapua Scenar is a great 155gr bullet, but as most 155gr bullets, shes gotta be supersonic until she hits the target, the transonic range is at around 1330FPS and thats when bullets can become unstable. The longer you hold this off, the better. Some like the 175gr SMK are designed to punch through it well, others are not.

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frogdog

· #8 · Mar 10, 2010

+1 Quick. Those 155's are designed to come screaming out of a 30" barrel. BK , you might be better off working up a 175gr load with that 20" pipe to get you to 1000. I just don't know that you could launch the 155 fast enough.If you can launch the 175's at 2500fps+ you should be good to go.

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BadKarma

Discussion Starter · #9 · Mar 10, 2010

I think you guys are right. I loaded some 155's using Varget, since I have a bunch of it, and the accuracy was pretty good but I don't see any hope of gaining the necessary velocity to get me out there. My chronograph should be here this week and I'll know more of what I'm doing, I think it's 175 time. Thanks to all of you for your input.

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Quick

· #10 · Mar 10, 2010

Guys, Ive talked to many who run .308 and also some guys who run .308 in duty rifles, they ALL run 175gr SMKs in factory loads as you just cant beat them. Hand-loading you can, but for a duty rifle, you cant beat the FGMM or other premium Match ammo.

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BadKarma

Discussion Starter · #11 · Mar 10, 2010

I've had real good luck with the GGM 168's which is what I'm required to use by department policy, factory ammo that is. I've put some handloads together that work much better, one of which is a 168 Bubba load that's incredibly accurate. This training that I will attend in June basically requires a 600 yard shot for score, the 1000 is just a bonus in regard to the experience of shooting that far. I can't imagine ever having to take an on the job shot over 100 to 200 yards maximum given the area where I work. I just have this insane desire to develop the skill out to extreme ranges. I only need 300 rounds for class so I will probably just pay up and buy some 175 GMM and be done with it. I do appreciate your input given your experience with the 155 grainers. I think I will continue to work with them just for the fun of it,since I can never seem to leave anything alone, and see what my rifle will do with them at shorter ranges.
Thanks again.

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