Range Report Experience with 155 Palma bullets from a 20" 1:12

[ReaperDriver]

When I ordered my initial boxload of reloading equipement, I also got a box of .308 500 Sierra 155 Palma (2155) to try out not knowing much about the bullets. I also have a small box of them that I've shoot a few strings of with just avg results but I think my velocities were way too slow (2750-2800). I've heard that the 2156 Palmas or 155 Scenars are better for conventional length barrels instead of the 30" specialty Palma barrels that the 2155s were made for. Any truth to this?

My question is: the box of 500 Palmas is still unopened. I'm considering sending them back and trading in for something else. Should I just stick with these, get the 2156 Palmas or get the 155 Scenars?

Related question to the above: Is anyone shooting 155's well out of a 20" 1:12 barrel or should I just skip the 155s altogether and go with the 168/175s instead? If you guys DO have good luck with 155s in this barrel, what velocities should I be trying to get to to get out to 1K?

thanks in advance!

 

[9H_Cracka]

Re: Experience with 155 Palma bullets from a 20" 1

2155s are fine to shoot in what you got.

2156s are fine to shoot in what you got.

2156s are a bit more touchy about jump. In my rifle they did not like being in the lands at all. The 2155 shoots from on the lands to .100" off with little change in accuracy. Start the 2156 at .020" off.

With an initial velocity of 2850 FPS (23.5" barrel), 8100' ASL, I have documented a .8 mil POI difference in elevation between the two bullets. Most will tell you 2 to 2.5 MOA difference between them. My data supports that.

Read this article for some additional background. It will lead you to thinking you need to sell your 2155. The 2155 is a great bullet that is easy to get to shoot. They do give up some at 800 and over to the 2156 and Berger 155.5.

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthre...672#Post1407672

 

[ReaperDriver]

Re: Experience with 155 Palma bullets from a 20" 1:12

Thanks, I'll read up. I'm shooting out of stock rem factory chamber and I doubt I'll get to the lands or even .100 off. Is the 2155 Palma bullets forgiving of a BIG jump?

 

[9H_Cracka]

Re: Experience with 155 Palma bullets from a 20" 1

"Are either of the Palma bullets forgiving of a BIG jump?
"

Yes. You just have to see what works in your rifle.

The 2155 will actually let you achieve a shorter OAL while being closer to the lands due to its ogive placement and shorter overall length than the 2156.

 

[ReaperDriver]

Re: Experience with 155 Palma bullets from a 20" 1

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: NineHotel</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The do give up some at 800 and over to the 2156 and Berger 155.5.

</div></div>

I meant to ask you about this statement. What do you mean, "give up some at 800 and beyond" over the other bullets. Wind drift? Drop? Or are they like 168 SMK and won't get out to 1K very well?

Is 2850 fps the ideal velocity for these bullets or should I look at going faster if I can? Oh and what OAL do you load the 2155s to? The Sierra book says 2.275 but that seems awefully short.

 

[9H_Cracka]

Re: Experience with 155 Palma bullets from a 20" 1

Read the link I posted regarding 1k performance. Now back that up some because you are not screaming them out of a 30" barrel.

At the same initial velocity, the 2155 runs out of gas before the 2156. That means more drop, so range estimation becomes more important. Also more wind deflection, so your wind call becomes less forgiving.

Under 525 yards not much of this matters. 525 out to the maximum usable range of your 20" barrel based on the size of your target and the hit % you are after, yea there is a difference between the two bullets.

There are many people, me included, that have a lot of confidence in the 2155 bullet, regardless of the BC difference between them.

What distance will 80% of your shot be made at anyway? And if you were really interested in "long range" pinpoint accuracy, what are you doing with an LTR? Those are questions you need to be asking yourself in addition to what BC difference there is between the two projectiles.

If you want to know about real world performance of LTRs using a variety of ammo at extended distances, PM Phylodog here on the 'hide. He has seen a bunch of them on the range.

 

[sawgunner2001]

Re: Experience with 155 Palma bullets from a 20" 1

My personal experience with the 2155's wasn't good at all. I couldn't get the velocity up past 2750 without pressure and I couldn't get them to hold decent groups. I gave up after that. That doesn't mean that you won't have good luck with them, just giving you my experience in shooting them from a 700 LTR. Really the only way to know is to shoot 'em and see.

 

[Grump]

Re: Experience with 155 Palma bullets from a 20" 1

My Varget load with 2155s that runs 2825 fps is over the spec pressure, according to QuickLOAD when the burn rate is adjusted to match my velocities.

BUT they group tighter and more consistently than any other 155-gr load I've worked up yet. I'm out of 4064 which shows some promise in another load...need to check out whether it's enough cooler to make a difference.

This is comparing with Nosler and Hornady 155s.

I don't think you can get more than 2725 fps out of a 20-inch without pushing outside of spec pressures.