185 Juggernauts in 1:12 AI 308

[AR15-SBR]

I have a chance to shoot out past 1K. Does anyone know if the 185s will stabilize in an AI 308 1:12 twist barrel? I hate to spend $50 on a box of bullets the gun don't like.

FYI The barrel does GREAT with my 175 SMK out to 700 yards.

 

[FN-Whitney]

I have a 1:11.25 twist and the 185 Juggernauts shoot great for me at that distance. Give them a try, that the only real way to find out.

 

[OLD308]

Just some food for thought. My 1-12 is a custom chamber cut for the 168 SMK. Took for ever to get the 175 SMK to work the way I wanted (due to the chamber). Got it done and they do work well. Shot it that way for years. Still do some times.

Tried the 155 Lapua Scenars and the load was easier and I did better at a 1K. Square range so wind was a more or less known. So if switching wind (where the 185 shines) is not the fear, and your recoil sensitive (I am) the 155 may perform better for you. Berger sales a 155.5 full bore loaded ammo for about $27 a box. Just a thought hope this helps.

 

[SkyScrapin]

They stabilize even in my 11.75 twist at 2680fps and 1040fps.

 

[ShtrRdy]

In the Berger reloading manual it says a "1:12" twist or faster" so you should be fine.

What kind of powder are people using with the 185 gr Jugg?

 

[427Cobra]

2000MR

 

[918v]

They stabilize fine in 1-12”

 

[VSP968]

I’ve been using Varget but have a bunch of 2000MR I’m gonna try.

 

[Aimsmall55]

I have a chance to shoot out past 1K. Does anyone know if the 185s will stabilize in an AI 308 1:12 twist barrel? I hate to spend $50 on a box of bullets the gun don't like.

FYI The barrel does GREAT with my 175 SMK out to 700 yards.

They are all I shoot out of a 28” Bartlein 1:11.25 bbl. 43.8 varget at 2.212” to the ogive. (Roughly 2.860”... fits in all my AI mags ) and they are a laser beams.

 

[Basher]

I ran some 185 Jugg FGMM through my 20” AI 1:12 and the gave me 0.6MOA at 100. Didn’t shoot them on paper past that, but they were more than capable of hitting steel at distance.

 

[memilanuk]

The US FTR team used 185 Juggernauts out of Krieger 1-12" tw barrels to win gold in the 2013 F-Class World Championships in Raton, NM. So they do work.

That said, I think more than a few of us at the time would probably have rather had something like an 11 tw, just for the sake of a little extra margin of error. If you run the twist rate calcs, with the applicable parameters (MV=2750, temp=75F, elev=6700' ASL) they were way more than stable. But if you go back to the 'default' atmo conditions (59F, 0' ASL) they are down in what Berger calls 'marginal' stability, and the BC may be a little (~2%) compromised.

The 11.25" tw suggested above would actually be pretty close to ideal... but honestly, it's a .308. They just aren't that fussy. Anything from a 10 to a 12 twist should work just fine. I highly doubt they'd drop out of the air or go sideways even with a 13" tw.

Buy a box, load 'em up and go shoot. See how they do in your gun.

A local shooter has been having fantastic results with factory FGMM ammo loaded with the Berger 185 Juggernaut. Shot a 199-9X yesterday @ 600... he gets it thru Target Sports (mail order) and it's in the $20-22/box price range.

 

[Canuck1977]

They shot great in my AI AT308 out of UK.
Barrel was 20”, 1/12 twist. Sub half MOA when pushed at 2554 fps.

 

[AR15-SBR]

Looks like I will be buying a box to try.
Thanks guys.

 

[Claluja]

For what its worth, my AI AX 308 (20" bartlein, 10 twist) shoots the FGM 175 SMKs much better than the FGM 185 Bergers from an MOA perspective at 100. Havent tried the 185s at 700+.