.308 BTs 165 vs 168?

[CatskillCrawler]

Is there any difference between these two bullets physically?

 

[JD338]

The difference is length and BC.
The 308 165 gr BT has a OAL of 1.290" with a BC of .475 while the 168 gr BT OAL is 1.307" with a BC of .490.

JD338

 

[.300winmag]

The 165 grain bullet has a G1 form factor of 0.523 and the 168 grain bullet has a G1 form factor of 0.516, a 1.33 percent difference (assuming Nosler's numbers are right). This indicates that the 168 grain bullet has slightly better ballistic performance, and knowing Nosler, they probably gave it a longer ogive than the 165 grain bullet or gave it a slightly more secant ogive, but, considering the difference is so small, it is safe to assume that the difference is minimal and mild to moderate loads can be interchangeable. With max loads though, i would work up to the 168 grain bullet as the bearing surface is probably longer and will raise pressure. This is just my guess however, based on the numbers. The bullets could have the same ogive dimensions and the BC difference could be made up of simply a bearing surface change.

 

[300WSM]

Yes there is a difference in dimension but it is slight. From a performance perspective it is even slighter yet. Unless you are shooting some long distances my experience with both of these is there is next to no change between them.

 

[CatskillCrawler]

Excellent. I have a mess of the 168's which I no longer have a need for and want to start reloading for another 30-06 which shoots the 165's very well. The owner of this rifle believes that the 168gr BTs were more akin to a match bullet in both profile and jacket design. He was concerned that the 168gr BTs would be too fragile. His current load isn't very hot, 51.0gr IMR-4064 at 2830fps, so I'm expecting no problems with bullet performance.

Thanks!

 

[JD338]

Cat,

The 168 gr BT should work like a champ for your buddy.

JD338