Range Report Factory Lapua 155's

[anthonylapoint]

It was a while ago I fired these, but its still eating at me and I finally had to write something about it. Lapua charges damn near $55 per box for their 155 grain .308 ammo, so you would think you are getting almost handloads. Wrong. I have a Savage with 1-10 twist 24" barrel. I was getting an average of 2808 fps but my standard deviation was 80 fps! I checked the OAL and was getting 2.793-2.798. Now, correct me if im wrong, but if im selling my left ball for a box of lapua, shouldnt I be getting some impressive stuff. I did manage to get a 2" group at 300 yards but as for groups, my dumb ass didnt loc tight my scope base, so...thats my fault.

Are other shooters experiencing the same issues or was mine experience just out of the norm?

 

[gstaylorg]

Re: Factory Lapua 155's

Midway USA:

Lapua 155 gr Scenar: $46.99/box; factory MV = 282 fps

CorBon 155 gr Scenar: $45.99/box; factory MV = 2900 fps

I've shot plenty of the CorBon 155 Scenars from a 24" GAP Hospitaller. Avg. MV = 2957 fps, ES ~ 35, SD ~14. If I had to shoot factory 155s, CorBon is what I would go with. Their loads always seem to be a little hotter than every one else and the price is the same or slightly lower.

Having said that, if you're not dead set on 155s, you might try the Applied Ballistics 175 gr Tactical Bullet load:

http://www.appliedballisticsllc.com/Munitions/ABMTactical.html

You will not find a more accurate commercial load anywhere and at $42.00/box (less if you buy more than a certain amount), they're less $$$ than 155 Scenars. I run these through several different rifles and I have yet to find one that doesn't love them. BTW - they're loaded in Lapua brass, so you still get the same empties when you're done shooting.

 

[anthonylapoint]

Re: Factory Lapua 155's

I have always wanted to try the corbons but havent ever been able to find them. I didnt want to order them. Those applied ballistics 175's sounds interesting, do they sell just the round? Maybe ill load some up.

 

[gstaylorg]

Re: Factory Lapua 155's

You can buy just the projectile from many sources, it's the Berger 175 gr Tactical bullet. Applied Ballistics, LLC is Bryan Litz', the Chief Ballistician for Berger Bullets, own personal company that sells that specific bullet loaded.