Hornady vs Sierra

[Shawndiver]

Started working on a load for my Winchester Model 70 in .243 using 100gr bullets. Started with Hornady Interlocks, but couldn't get a consistent group despite using various powder charges from minimum load to max. Finally decided to try a different bullet and went with a Sierra Pro Hunter 100gr.

Photo shows the Hornady 5 shot group on the right, Sierra 5 shot group on the left at 100 yards. Ironically one flyer (probably me) closest to the bullseye. Good lesson learned on finding the right bullet for the rifle. No adjustments were made on the scope between groups, and allowed the barrel to cool down between groups. I am fairly new to reloading and this is my first attempt to make an accuracy round and not just ammo for plinking. I think I'll stick with the Sierra for now!

Fire formed brass neck sized with Lee collet die
OAL 2.71
37.2gr 4007 SSC powder
Sierra 100gr 6mm Pro Hunter bullet
Winchester large rifle primer

[bsumoba]

every gun is different. chances are, the same Model 70 could potentially like Hornady and not like Sierra.

Same goes with powders.

What I learned was as much as possible, buy a little of everything, do your load developments, find out what your rifle likes, then buy in bulk.

[Shawndiver]

Understood. Just to be clear, I am not saying that Sierra make better bullets than Hornady, I have had excellent results with their Vmax and Amax bullets in both the .243 and .223. This was the first time I have seen such dramatic improvements with such a small difference. It was apparent that THIS rifle clearly likes THIS combination. I have made many different loads using 65gr, 80gr bullets, 4350, 4007, blc2 powders, and while some have shot well, this is the first one that I felt really shot to this rifles potential. Looking forward to making even better loads!

[knucklehead0202]

both make great bullets at great prices. only reason I take one over the other is with a tried-and-true combination. otherwise, I wouldn't hesitate to use one or the other really.

[OldShooter32]

Try Noslers too. I got some because they were available and my rifle loves them.

[johnny1290]

I'm no expert, *but*

I guess what I'd like to know is how does the gun perform with factory ammo?

I'd like to see a control group.

[Coyotegunner]

Welcome to the reloading world.Congratulations on being proud of your new load.
My 243,I found a wonderful tight groups with 70g Nosler Ballistic tips.I think there is 5 different types of bullets in my bin for 6mm.maybe more,but the go to for me is the Nosler.
I use Sierra GK 180s in my 300RUMs and 300 Win Mags.The 300 WSMs love those little 150g SSTs.Funny most of my 308s prefer flatbase bullets,while the magnums like boat tails.
That is the fun in all this.
What is factory ammo?Just kidding.I have not bought any for close to 22 years.

[Shawndiver]

I'm no expert, *but*

I guess what I'd like to know is how does the gun perform with factory ammo?

I'd like to see a control group.

Here is a target from last week. The center bull is using Federal .243 100gr soft point ammo. The other targets are using my initial test loads with the Hornady Interlocks, with powder loads ranging from 37.2gr to 38gr. As the powder load increased, the "groups" got looser. As a result, I tried the Sierras. I also went to neck sizing my brass instead of full length sizing since this is the only .243 I own. As shown in my original post, the neck sizing did not appear to improve the Hornady performance.

[krzgoat]

+1 on trying the Noslers - I got a 95gr BT Nosler load that shoots a 3 shot group that you can cover with a dime out of my Savage at 50 yards.

[postal]

Uh.... you said target ammo right?

So... working up a TARGET load..... why arent you using TARGET bullets?

Amaxs work very well as target ammo, and Sierra Match Kings are the standard.... then the Vld, and scenar are also very good....

Yet, you're playing with 'huntin' boolits.....

I just changed my 308 to a 6.5 creedmoor, and got to the range on Sat with some 140g Amax loads for my first few rounds through the new barrel.....

I still need to work up a powder charge with more vel, but those Amaxs shot little bitty groups at every powder charge I tried.

I was using SMK's in the 308 for a LONG time. Both work well if you know what to do. And they both work better than most 'huntin boolits'..... I went with Amax, because it was in stock, and hornady's loaded 6.5 creedmoor ammo with Amax is actually VERY good, very accurate ammo.

---------As to krzgoat.... my savage would probably shoot surplus ammo you could cover with a dime at a whopping 50 yards...

[Shawndiver]

Playing with what I can find, those Hunter Pros were the only thing I could find in 100gr 6mm last week! I would love to try some Amaxs, I use 75gr Amax in some of the .223 rounds I have put together.

[postal]

I ordered mine from midway during black fri weekend with the black fri discount code...

At the time, they were in stock for 6.5mm amax, but out of SMK. Berger and VLD are pricey compared to those 2... and vld likes to be stuffed into the lands... which is all well and good until you try to unload an unfired round, the bullet pulls out of the brass, and powder floods your action. Seen it happen more than once......

I wanted the smk as my first choice, but since they were out of stock, but the amax was available, I ordered 500... After the first round of powder charge testing, I'm impressed. Probably going out on xmas to try some heavier powder charges to work up my load.

[pennstater]

kh0202 has it pretty much right. Good answer.

[Fjold]

I'm no expert, *but*

I guess what I'd like to know is how does the gun perform with factory ammo?

I'd like to see a control group.

Interesting question, I couldn't answer that because a lot of my rifles have never had factory ammunition shot in them. I have at least 3 AR-15s, an AR10 and probably 10 or 12 bolt guns that have never shot a factory round and a few more guns that I bought used that may have had factory ammunition shot in them but I've never done it.


To the OP, I have a Ruger No 1 in 270 that shoots two different Barnes bullets into 1" - 1.5" but won't shoot the Nosler E-tips into 3".