.308 bullet for long range

[762cavalier]

OK going to start doing some handloads for my Savage 10fp

Looking at 175gr SMK or 155 lapua scenar

what are the pros and cons of each?

[ocabj]

Use the 175gr. Assuming Sierra's BC data is correct and the BC of the Lapua 155 in Brian Litz's paper is correct, then the SMK 175 maintains a better BC as it slows down, compared to the 155 Scenar.

The 155gr from Sierra, Lapua, Berger, etc, is really meant for Palma shooting anyway, where they are restricted to the 155gr weight, and they use 1:13" twist, 30" barrels with a special .308 chamber.

Granted, lots of guys use the 155s out of the 'tactical' bolt rifles, with 1:10 - 1:12 twist barrels, from 24-26". But I don't think they're actually gaining much over the 175 with regards to wind drift.

[Timberwolf]

155 Scenars are a hit and miss out of the faster twist barrels - they have to be pushed hard and tend to be a bit fickle about their accuracy node and seating depth. My suggestion is to use either 175 SMKs or 178 AMAXs. Keep 'em above 2650 to stay super sonic through 1000.

[ocabj]

Not to mention the Sierra 175 is more readily available than the Lapua, which is subject to supply problems as a result of the importation process.

[Darklyte27]

i got smk 175s they are nice.

[Jicko]

or

google w/ site:calguns.net

[FMJBT]

I loaded up some 190 SMK's over 41 grains of Varget out of boredom, just to see what it would do. Turns out, it makes a great 1000 yard round out of a 10FP. Judging by the impacts on the steel plate at that range, it seems to carry quite a bit of energy out there too. The Black Hills brass did show some slight bulging near the base afterwards, but the primers didn't show any flattening. Could have just been soft brass. I'm going to experiment some more with this combo in the future if USN Chief ever stops hording all the Varget.

[Jpach]

I say go with the 178gr AMAX if you can find any. It produces quite beautiful groups down range. Timberwolf, look at my thread in the rifles forum. You were right about the 178gr AMAX holding group size at distances

[FMJBT]

I say go with the 178gr AMAX if you can find any. It produces quite beautiful groups down range. Timberwolf, look at my thread in the rifles forum. You were right about the 178gr AMAX holding group size at distances

+1 for the A-Max too. Awesome consistency out of my AR-10, although I never got around to loading any up for my 10FP.

[Budd]

175gr Berger VLD's for me. I have used the AMAX's, SMK's, etc.

[Darklyte27]

for those who shot your savages, show us your targets here!!

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=147095

[Timberwolf]

I say go with the 178gr AMAX if you can find any. It produces quite beautiful groups down range. Timberwolf, look at my thread in the rifles forum. You were right about the 178gr AMAX holding group size at distances

They hold well at 1000 as I discovered this past weekend. The farthest I had previously gone with that load was 850 so I was presently surprised.

[Jonathan Doe]

I usually loaded Berger 175 VLD for 600 yard line for my M-1A service rifle. At Camp Pendleton range with about 15 MPH constant wind from 9 O'clock, I adjusted 4 minutes at 600 and hit the target well. Once I tried Federal Gold Medal 175's, I don't reload for 600 yards anymore. My high score of 199/200 tells me the Federal GM 175 is good ammo. Now I am going to try Blackhills 175's, since I cannot find Federals.

[Whitesmoke]

so I was presently surprised.

I'm presently surprised too....

[Timberwolf]

I'm presently surprised too....

whoopsie - that should read I was pleasantly surprised - the bad thing is I speaks even worse