300 prc 230gr and 250gr A-tips

[wade2big]

For the guys that have loaded both, what is the velocity difference between the 230 and 250gr A-tips? I’m trying to decide if the 250gr would net an advantage down range past 1500 compared to the 230gr. Is the velocity advantage with the 230gr enough to overcome the BC of the 250gr? I’ve seen velocity posted on boutique ammunition boxes showing only a 30fps difference between the two in a 24” barrel but that seems unreasonable. I have a 28” 1-8.5 twist barrel ordered but may even bump to a 30” if this matters any.

 

[6.5SH]

FWIW Hornady's reloading data shows 150 fps less for the 250 out of a 24" Vs the 225-230's.

https://www.hornady.com/assets/site/hornady/files/load-data/300-prc-v2.pdf

 

[MOUNTIC]

230s out of my Norma do very well past 2000 yards. 10 twist barrel. 3007 avg FPS. Never had the want or need for 250s. I would think the PRC would be the same way, but I tend to use even lighter pills, 215gr and less, for the PRC.

 

[memilanuk]

I kinda wish they had something one notch down from the 230... like a 200 or 210

 

[Bandit320]

With my PRC 28” I’m getting about 2830 with the 250s and 2960 with the 230s. I’d have to be shooting over 2,500 yards for the 250s to have a real advantage.

 

[Taylorbok]

As stated gotta be way out for the 250's to take over, but I found with the 250 a-tips I ran into pressure sooner than the 245 Berger. Thinking due to long bearing surface, the 230's might not have this problem and be able to see a fairly decent speed increase which may make them even better.

 

[wade2big]

Thanks for the help guys. I’m convinced.

 

[jbuck88]

230s out of my Norma do very well past 2000 yards. 10 twist barrel. 3007 avg FPS. Never had the want or need for 250s. I would think the PRC would be the same way, but I tend to use even lighter pills, 215gr and less, for the PRC.

What powder are you using? I'm at 2988fps with the 250gr ATIP using n570. That's just above the published max, but not by much. Went a couple grains higher, but stopped before I hit pressure due to sd's and es's going away.

 

[MOUNTIC]

What powder are you using? I'm at 2988fps with the 250gr ATIP using n570. That's just above the published max, but not by much. Went a couple grains higher, but stopped before I hit pressure due to sd's and es's going away.

Retumbo.

I went completely away from 570 as did many guys I shoot with.

 

[wade2big]

Retumbo.

I went completely away from 570 as did many guys I shoot with.

Why is that?

 

[Geno C.]

Burns up barrels

 

[wade2big]

I have Retumbo and H1000 for when my 300 prc barrel makes it in. One of those is gonna have to work for now.

 

[MOUNTIC]

Why is that?

Getting 2x the life out of retumbo barrels over 570.

 

[wade2big]

Getting 2x the life out of retumbo barrels over 570.

That’s significant for sure. Good to know. I wonder if the other powders in that line would have the same effect? N568, N565?

 

[Xcount]

That’s significant for sure. Good to know. I wonder if the other powders in that line would have the same effect? N568, N565?

All the 500 series powders are double based so they should act similarly in regards to barrel life.

 

[Xcount]

With my PRC 28” I’m getting about 2830 with the 250s and 2960 with the 230s. I’d have to be shooting over 2,500 yards for the 250s to have a real advantage.

What powder are you using with the 230's?

 

[Taylorbok]

Anyone compare 170 to Retumbo for barrel life?
Running N570 because that's what I can get. I don't find it to hard on barrel life but definitely dirty.
Retumbo has been the equivilant of pixie dust up here for like 3 years now.

 

[Bandit320]

What powder are you using with the 230's?

Lapua cases, GM215M primers, 76.7 grs. RL-26.

 

[Schw15]

I know I stay away from n570 because I hear how it eats throats bad. You gain 100 plus feet of speed easily over n568 n565 ect. I don't think n568 or n565 is near as hot or harsh as n570. I will find out running both those powders in 7 prc and 30 nosler.

 

[TripleBull]

I get plenty of velocity and consistency out of 565 and 568 and my limited testing of 570 showed inconsistency, so I put it on the back burner. In terms of 230 vs 250 ATips, I do not have enough data and am still working on that. We got great performance out of 230s down into transonic. Working now to prep brass to try to flesh out more of the 230 vs 250 performance specifically at 1 mile.

 

[Schw15]

I've shot both and I feel like the 230 a-tips will outperform the 250 a-tips at 2k and in for sure. I know a lot of guys say they use g7 .425 on the 230 instead of the .414. The 250 a-tips are finky to load for and 230s are way easier. Actually going to be shooting the 230s Saturday out to 1800 yards in 30 nosler avg 2967. The same barrel the 250s were going 2780 to find the load had them 2880 to 2900 but wouldn't shoot there at all.

 

[dttheliman]

230's on top of H1000 @2910 fps good out to 1800 , played with the 250's and Retumbo they were just OKish @2793fps and nowhere near as accurate, they were fine inside 1000, when it came to stretching its legs .they fell apart. 28" 1:8.5 tw, maybe I'll get back to them sometime when i'm bored , but the PRC just plain likes the 230's

 

[Deewarr1717]

230's on top of H1000 @2910 fps good out to 1800 , played with the 250's and Retumbo they were just OKish @2793fps and nowhere near as accurate, they were fine inside 1000, when it came to stretching its legs .they fell apart. 28" 1:8.5 tw, maybe I'll get back to them sometime when i'm bored , but the PRC just plain likes the 230's

What your load data on that h1000 230 load?

 

[dttheliman]

What your load data on that h1000 230 load?

78.1gr neck at 2thou, 10 thou off the lans - oh also on 3 times hornady craptastic brass

 

[TreyMeTrey]

What's your FPS? Also your
SD & ES #'s

 

[Kickin45]

With my PRC 28” I’m getting about 2830 with the 250s and 2960 with the 230s. I’d have to be shooting over 2,500 yards for the 250s to have a real advantage.

@Bandit320 What twist barrel you runnin?

 

[Bandit320]

It’s a 1 in 8” Shilen. 28”.

 

[TreyMeTrey]

@Bandit320 What twist barrel you runnin?

Thatsbfaster than my 30 inch barrel.Im running 2810 fps with 75.8 grains H1000.I was at at 2905 with 77.5 grains H1000 but my node was good and my ES& Sd we 2 & 4. so Imstayed at 2810.. Last Jan. 2023 At the ARENA in Blakely GA at 2203 my 1st ,2nd ,3rd & 4th round impacts were a 2.5 Inch Group the score keeper on the camera told me when I got up tosign score sheet.The 250 A Tips shoot real good for me.

 

[Bandit320]

I want to like the 250s. I might try some different powders. I’m retiring in a couple of months so I’ll have more time to play with it.

 

[Kickin45]

Anyone try the Berger 245 EOL?

 

[TripleBull]

Anyone try the Berger 245 EOL?

@b2lee

 

[b2lee]

Anyone try the Berger 245 EOL?

Yep...they are great and wonderful. I'm pushing them with either 76.0 or 75.0 grains of RL-26....depending on whether it is January or July. Been great for ELR and 1 mile benchrest. Only thing is...can you find them before I buy them out?

 

[dttheliman]

Yep...they are great and wonderful. I'm pushing them with either 76.0 or 75.0 grains of RL-26....depending on whether it is January or July. Been great for ELR and 1 mile benchrest. Only thing is...can you find them before I buy them out?

Better move fast - one of my missions to stock up on them

 

[b2lee]

Better move fast - one of my missions to stock up on them

Funny when all these guys buy a box or two of 100...and then complain when they are sold out. I used to buy a barrels worth at a time...but averaging 2.5 barrels a year...I just buy a years worth at a time...and complain about when I get below 1k bullets.

 

[dttheliman]

Funny when all these guys buy a box or two of 100...and then complain when they are sold out. I used to buy a barrels worth at a time...but averaging 2.5 barrels a year...I just buy a years worth at a time...and complain about when I get below 1k bullets.

Too true - I am just about to put a new barrel on , I also buy for the barrel life. Don’t want to mess around with different loads , similarly new brass as well