Lapua Scener hollowpoint BT 69 grain bullet

[ronas]

Anyone shooting this bullet. I'm wonder if it's more accurate than 69 grain Nosler competition bullet or SMK. I've gotten equally excellent results with the Nosler and SMK. Can not tell any difference between how the two shoot. So much so I don't want to shoot the 55 grain IMI and Remington FMJ BT bullets.

[Sheldon]

I know Lapua ain't cheap.....how does its price compare to the Sierra and Nosler's?

[ronas]

Just paid $93 for 500 smks. Lapua I think are $230 per 1000.

[Sheldon]

Ouch......would you consider them worth the difference in price compared to the Nosler and Sierras? Any nice match bullet will make you feel like you're wasting time with just about any 55 grain FMJBT bullet.......even the Hornady, which is one of the best 55 grainers out there from what I have read.

[ronas]

would you consider them worth the difference in price compared to the Nosler and Sierras?

I really don't know. But if someone said they have tried all three and lapuas were noticeably better I'd pobably get them, they are usually about $250 per 1000.

My rifle has 1:8 twist so 69 grain is just about perfect for rifle. It is test fired at Larue with 77 grain Black Hills ammo to establish it shots sub 1" moa at 100 yards.

I do have some 77 grain SMKs but I'm saving them for over 200 yards. Those bullets were really expensive. I bought box of 50 for something like $15.

[RaymondMillbrae]

What type of rifle are you shooting them out of? (Bolt, semi)?

What are you going to be doing with them? (Competition, hunting)?

You mention that your 69-grainers are "excellent" at shorter ranges (I'm guessing at under 200-yards), which seems right for your rifling.

For multi-gun matches, the 69-grainers are more than enough. You can comfortably reach out to 450-yards with them, accurately.

You do not hear about folks home-rolling "that" kind of ammo for multi-gun matches. That is the kind of ammo you use for precision shooting out of a bolt gun. (Match boolits, match brass, pristin primers, etc...). On top of that, for "that" kind of ammo, you better have a really good reloading set-up/routine...for accuracy.

If not, then it's like using Ferrari parts on a VW. (You are mixing and matching match grade components with "gnah" components).

Bottom line, what, and how, will you be using them?

In Christ: Raymond

[ronas]

What type of rifle are you shooting them out of? (Bolt, semi)?

Larue OBR 556 with 1:8 twist 16" barrel.

What are you going to be doing with them? (Competition, hunting)?

Competion maybe. Just got rifle not that long ago. Just having fun shooting at paper and steel. First time I shoot 200 yards was earlier this week. Used Nigthforce scope 2.5-10x32 at 5x, 6x and 8X. Never used a scope before other than the Accupoint tr24G which is also pretty new. I was using 100 yard targets and kept all bullets within 4" to 5" of center of target. Even got lucky and got a number of bullseyes.

You mention that your 69-grainers are "excellent" at shorter ranges (I'm guessing at under 200-yards), which seems right for your rifling.

Yes 200 ands that the farthest I've every shot. I'm thinking they will be good at longer ranges to. Had to adjust scope 2.75 moa up for 200 yards. I had first zeroed scope at 100 yard with 55 grain bullets. I'm going to zero again at 100 yards with the 69s and see what happens. Or would it be better to zero at 200 yards.

I might also mention my loads were pretty light 25 grains of BLC2 with small rifle magnum primer using lake city brass.

[RaymondMillbrae]

Hang around some local shooters who compete.

I use Montana Gold 55-grainers because of their price (I shoot a lot!!), and because they are accurate enough for what I need.

I cannot overemphasize how expensive "plinking" Lapua Scenars would get. Ha ha ha.

Competitive shooters go one way on gear and ammo. Hunters go another way. Varmint hunters, another.

When you say, "Competition maybe"...well...that's not really an answer.

Bottom line, figure-out what you ultimately want to do, then you can get better, specific, advice.

Happy New Year, shooter.

In Christ: Raymond

[ocabj]

I don't know anything about the 69gr Scenar, but the 77gr Scenars are awesome. The BC is higher than all other 77gr BTHP and the QC is great (meplats are more consistent).

[ronas]

don't know anything about the 69gr Scenar, but the 77gr Scenars are awesome. The BC is higher than all other 77gr BTHP and the QC is great

What are you using in the way of powder for 77grains.

I shot 69's to 200 yards with 5 shot groups. 3 of the shots would be about 1" group but the other two would usually be off much more like 2 to 4 more inches, I think operator error. Load for 69's was 25 grains BLC2.

Anyway I shot the SMK 77 to 200 yards also. They were at least 3" to 4" lower than the 69's athough centered well. Load is 23.2 BLC2 with small rifle mag primer in lc brass with OAL of 2.250.

I had zeroed rifle at 100 yards so when I shot 69s to 200 yards I dialed up 2 MOA. Did not think I would need to dial up more for the 77's. Do I or is my load to weak?

I should also mention it was quite windy. I don't know exactly what but flags were all standing at attention. Weather channel said 15 to 25 mph, but I really don't think it was anything like that where I was. Maybe some gusts.

[ocabj]

24.0gr of RL15 in a Lake City case with CCI BR4 or Wolf SRM.

Can't really say if your load is weak. I go based on muzzle velocity. I'm pushing 77gr at 2750-2800fps in the 20" depending on temperature conditions.

While it's not impossible to load heavy bullets in .223 with ball powder, you might want to try extruded powder like N140, RL15, or Varget.

[ronas]

While it's not impossible to load heavy bullets in .223 with ball powder, you might want to try extruded powder like N140, RL15, or Varget

I've been wanting to try some varget, though I am assuming I can not use RCBS Uniflow or any Dillon powder throw in progressive since the extruded powder does not flow well.

I am shooting with Larue OBR 556 with 16" barrel. Target that came with the rifle was shot using 77 grain Federal Gold Metal Match, don't know what powder is used for that, I'll try doing a search.

[killshot44]

Varget or H335 for 69gr SMK and you'll look no further.

[ocabj]

I've been wanting to try some varget, though I am assuming I can not use RCBS Uniflow or any Dillon powder throw in progressive since the extruded powder does not flow well.

I am shooting with Larue OBR 556 with 16" barrel. Target that came with the rifle was shot using 77 grain Federal Gold Metal Match, don't know what powder is used for that, I'll try doing a search.

Plenty of people use progressive presses with extruded powders. I have a Harrell that I use, and as good as it is, it's not perfect. Even then, I really don't care if my 200/300 yard loads have even a +/- .2gr variance. 600 yard stage? Yes, I'll probably be concerned about it, but I do handweigh every charge for 600 yards and beyond.

I think you'll find RL15 will run smoother in a thrower than Varget. Slightly shorter granules.

[Hoop]

I don't think you'll get more accuracy out of them but it's worth a shot.

Varget powder works best, I hand throw everything with an RCBS uniflow.