168 grain bullet vs. 180 grain bullet

[Guest]

Is the 30 cal.168 grain bullet more accurate than the 180 grain? I believe the military uses the 168 bullet. Is the 168 grainer better well served shooting long range verses other weights available today?

Don

 

[chet]

the actual weight of the bullet has very little to do with accuracy. Generally speaking: a heavier bullet of the same design will have a higher BC and therefore perform better at longer distances.
A particular rifle would likely be more picky about shape or design rather than 12 grains.

 

[Murphdog]

I think it will depend on the gun. Don is right the heavier any given bullet within a specific design the higher the BC and the better down range performance. Provided that the bullet performs well in that rifle. I saw on a Sniper Documentry on the History Channel at least one of the guys was using a 175 grain bullet from his 308.

 

[HTDUCK]

I think it will depend on the gun. Don is right the heavier any given bullet within a specific design the higher the BC and the better down range performance. Provided that the bullet performs well in that rifle. I saw on a Sniper Documentry on the History Channel at least one of the guys was using a 175 grain bullet from his 308.

As I understand it the switch to 175s in 308s is due to bullet velocity at extreme ranges.
A 168 HPBT will go subsonic somewhere between 8-900 yards.The 175 HPBT will stay supersonic past the 1000 yard mark.
Once a bullet goes subsonic is is at the mercy of the wind.

I've been reading of guys who shoot 1k matches with the 308 that they are now loading 190 SMKs and 208 AMAXs....

Howard

 

[JD338]

The heavier bullet will have a higher BC which allows it to buck the winder better.
Actual accuracy will depend on the rifle and which bullet it likes better.

JD338

 

[FOTIS]

The deal is that the 168 weight class has always been identified with match shooting. Almost every bullet manufacturer will offer some kind of target bullet in this weight. Bottom line? Either you gun likes it or not.

 

[Guest]

The comments are great, Just curious about the 168 weight, particularly the E-Tip. I have always been a 180 grain fan of the 30 cal. family, due to BC and excellent down range performance. Comparing the 168 vs. the 180 used in my 300 Ultra Mag I would have to get the 168 to 3500 FPS to equal my 180 AccuBond at 3370 FPS considering shooting ranges of 300-500 yards for Elk.

Don

 

[FOTIS]

180 AB at almost 3400 fps? Wow. You're up there in pressures buddy! :shock:

 

[Guest]

Yeah Pop, I am, I shoot new cases only with no signs of pressures at 82-degrees here in the South, but cannot use my re-sized cases due to the pressures. The speed is great when you press the envelope but that is it,on a good day at the range this load will cut holes. While the Horsepower is terrific it takes a lot of fuel to feed this animal. This winter I plan to reduce the load to make use of the many cases I have in stock. 3200-3300 FPS still kills anything in my book. I will add, my 300 Ultra Mag is ported, most likely could achieve 3400 easily, but big deal. I found I have gotten caught up in the speed is everything era like most people that own Magnum Rifles like mine but it isn't everything. I don't believe an Elk knows the difference if he was killed with 3,000 FPS or 3400 FPS, if you know how to make shot placement he's just dead ! Accuracy and shot placement is everything in my book.

 

[FOTIS]

I agree on the power needed.

This year I hunted with my 300 RUM with a 210 Berger at 3100 fps with a mellow load of Retumbo. Accuracy is in the .3's and I can use this brass forever. Truth be told I am no longer obsessed by FPS like I was once.

 

[Charlie-NY]

I agree on the power needed.

This year I hunted with my 300 RUM with a 210 Berger at 3100 fps with a mellow load of Retumbo. Accuracy is in the .3's and I can use this brass forever. Truth be told I am no longer obsessed by FPS like I was once.

Actually 3,100 ft/sec is moving along pretty nicely for the 210 VLD. Most (reasonable) max loads only get about 3,200 ft/sec. If you're going to shoot the 210's at 3,000 or less you may as well shoot one of the smaller case 300 mags.

 

[Guest]

Pop,
I'm hoping to stay around 3300 FPS by reducing the powder charge with the RL25 I'm currently using, but will try Retumbo as it as well has given me equal results.
I did fire and Chronograph 97.1 grains of Retumbo this past week-end with 3311 FPS, it cut holes, but that was with new cases again. Need to try that with re-sized brass. Your Load sounds interesting, the groups are incredible, excellent velocity too.

 

[SJB358]

Just for reference to the military, we do use the 175gr SMK in the 7.62's and 190's in the 300WM's. I think the last time I saw the 175's chrono'ed they were coming out around 2600FPS, but can't be too sure.

A 180 coming out of an 300UM is a force to be reckoned with for sure! That is some serious juice. Scotty

 

[Guest]

Pop,
What brand Resizing Die are you using for the 300 Ultra Mag?

Don

 

[FOTIS]

Redding Deluxe set.

94 gr of Retumbo. Right at 3100 fps with the 210 gr VLD and shoots right at .375" or so, verified and again...

 

[SJB358]

Man, that is some great shooting Fotis! Is that with the AWR? How does it shoot the AB's? Scotty

 

[DrMike]

POP,

That is some fine shooting. No doubt it is a good load, but that is some fine shooting. Love to see such pictures.

 

[Guest]

Pop,
Some fine shooting with the Ultra Mag. I love the load you are shooting ,that Berger has got some awesome BC rating to it !

 

[FOTIS]

Man, that is some great shooting Fotis! Is that with the AWR? How does it shoot the AB's? Scotty

Funny you should mention the AB's.
Before this gun I had a 30-378 that did not like 200 gr Ab;s or 180's for that matter. So before I got this one I sold all of them (3-4 boxes) to a fellow poster. When I picked up the AWR all I had on hand were 210 Bergers and 180 Hornady BT's. It adored the bergers so I did not play anymore. Maybe in the future.

 

[JD338]

Nice shooting Fotis!

JD338