Highest BC .30 projectile?

[LoneWolfUSMC]

I am looking at some options and I was wondering what the highest BC .30 PRODUCTION bullet is.

Is there anything out there higher than the 208gr AMAX that won't cost an arm and a leg?

Thanks

 

[Victor N TN]

Re: Highest BC .30 projectile?

Have you checked the Berger 210 VLD ?

http://www.bergerbullets.com/Products/Target%20Bullets.html

 

[steve123]

Re: Highest BC .30 projectile?

The only one I know of is the 240 SMK.

.668 BC.

HAT bullets has a .88 BC 210 grain and .92 220 grain but require an 8 twist,$1.70 a bullet.

Berger is supposed to come out with a high BC bullet next year.

Steve

 

[Ghogs Nightmare]

Re: Highest BC .30 projectile?

210 VLD: .631
210 Long Range VLD: .626
.
Also heard that Hornady is working on a 175 with a decent BC (not as high but good).

 

[Rob01]

Re: Highest BC .30 projectile?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Ghogs Nightmare</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
.
Also heard that Hornady is working on a 175 with a decent BC (not as high but good).</div></div>

It's a 178 BTHP with a .520 BC.

Lonewolf what you shooting it out of? A magnum or standard .308?

 

[Niles Coyote]

Re: Highest BC .30 projectile?

JLK 180 grain long boat tail VLD .575-.580 G1

 

[ChrisGarrett]

Re: Highest BC .30 projectile?

Lapua D-46, 185gr FMJ/Rebated boat tail: .547 BC

Chris

 

[LoneWolfUSMC]

Re: Highest BC .30 projectile?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Rob01</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Lonewolf what you shooting it out of? A magnum or standard .308? </div></div>

Looking at bullets first, then deciding on a chambering.

At this point it would probably be .300WM since I am looking at heavier bullets and would still like to keep the velocity up.

I am still in the mulling over phase. Just curious as to what is out there so I can play with the calculators and see what the performance could be. I may not even go this direction, but you don't know until you look at the numbers.

 

[ALMAORFE]

Re: Highest BC .30 projectile?

FWIW I've been looking into this as well and it seems you can start to creep into 338 Lapua land with the 300 and the right pill. I've decided to go with the Lapua but then again if your attached to your arm and leg a good 300 load is tough to beat. My goal for this is LR hunting and just general good old fun, may I ask what purpose your looking at this option for?

 

[LoneWolfUSMC]

Re: Highest BC .30 projectile?

According to "Applied Ballistics" by Litz

The Hornady 208 has a G7 BC of .324 and G1 of .633
The Berger 210 has a G7 BC of .323 and G1 .631

So looks like the AMAX is only surpassed by the 240 SMK.

I need to look that up in Bryan's book, but I am cross country right now.

 

[howdydoit]

Re: Highest BC .30 projectile?

LoneWolfUSMC


I nominate the 30-06 as the cartridge candidate. You dont need a magnum to through a 208 fast. I believe a 26 inch barrel and a good charge of RL22 would get you close to 2900fps, with more mag capacity and a standard bolt face.\\

Just an Idea.
Howdy

 

[Swan]

Re: Highest BC .30 projectile?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: LoneWolfUSMC</div><div class="ubbcode-body">According to "Applied Ballistics" by Litz

The Hornady 208 has a G7 BC of .324 and G1 of .633
The Berger 210 has a G7 BC of .323 and G1 .631

So looks like the AMAX is only surpassed by the 240 SMK.

I need to look that up in Bryan's book, but I am cross country right now.</div></div>

True. But who wants to launch cannon balls?

An even better idea is to run a 6.5 instead of .30 cal:

JLK 140gr 6.5 G7=.327, G1=.639

I'm convinced.

 

[bohem]

Re: Highest BC .30 projectile?

LoneWolf, you are correct on those numbers from Bryan's book.

The ONLY bullet that can beat the 208 right now is the 240 SMK, and it relegates you to 300 WM or better to get it at the speed that the 30-06 can throw a 208.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: howdydoit</div><div class="ubbcode-body">LoneWolfUSMC


I nominate the 30-06 as the cartridge candidate. You dont need a magnum to through a 208 fast. I believe a 26 inch barrel and a good charge of RL22 would get you close to 2900fps, with more mag capacity and a standard bolt face.\\

Just an Idea.
Howdy </div></div>

I second this ide. I use a 26" barrel and 59.5gr of RL22 to push 208's downrange at 2885fps (90F weather) and in the cold (30F) they still run 2850.

That load has gotten me 5 reloads on the brass and the primer pockets are still tight, I haven't loaded the brass more than that. I run Win brass.

Swan: Those numbers are exactly why I'm building 6.5-06's to play with. A 140 JLK running 3200 fps should run with a 300 WBY throwing 208s

 

[btm_54]

Re: Highest BC .30 projectile?

How does Barnes MRX 308 stack up?

 

[Stealff]

Re: Highest BC .30 projectile?

according to Hornady's website the 208 AMAX has a BC of .648

 

[264win]

Re: Highest BC .30 projectile?

6.5 is great for shooting lr , but for hunting anything very big a 30 or 338 is far better .i think the berger 210 and hornady 208 are your best standard bullet . if your really thinking for lr hunting i would encourage to to look @ the 338 mags. seeing what my buddies 338 edge did to steel at 1k was very impressive

 

[bohem]

Re: Highest BC .30 projectile?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Stealff</div><div class="ubbcode-body">according to Hornady's website the 208 AMAX has a BC of .648 </div></div>

Bryan Litz's doppler tests puts it at .633 along with the Berger 210 in the same ball park.

 

[bburnham]

Re: Highest BC .30 projectile?

Brian Litz points out in one of his website articles, that the 240 SMK has some disadvantages. To wit: it doesnt have a very good shape, and as a result, its G7 bc is really no better than some lighter bullets(208 Amax is good example). No advantage in shooting heavier bullet with same BC. If someone made a 220 to 240 g bullet with a better shape, it would have a much better bc than say, a 208 AMAX, and would offer significant ballistic advantage over the ligthter bullets.
I am bulding a 300 wm and have been considering the same issues you are. I assume that at some time in the not too distant future someone will build heavier 30 cal bullets with better bc's. Until that happens , it seems to me that the 208 AMAX is hard to beat in the 300 WM.

 

[Sig685]

Re: Highest BC .30 projectile?

You want want to take a look at Swampy's bullets. The 210 .30cal has a claimed BC of .665 and his 210 LBT has a claimed BC of 680.

www.swampworks.com/jlk

 

[bburnham]

Re: Highest BC .30 projectile?

Thanks. Will do.

 

[LoneWolfUSMC]

Re: Highest BC .30 projectile?

That's kind of why I am leaning towards the .300wm. I won't be skating the edge with a 208 and when/if better heavier pills become available then I can utilize them.

As to launching cannonballs. Not all of us just punch paper.

 

[Rob01]

Re: Highest BC .30 projectile?

Nothing wrong with the WinMag. Just got a new one from GAP. The safe felt empty without it

 

[Unsichtbar]

Re: Highest BC .30 projectile?

Hopefully with all the effort developing a contender for Precision Sniper Rifle (PSR) program, a switch barrel rifle ( .308, 300 win, 338L) will be offered at affordable price, well maybe less that the price of three custom rifles . http://www.defensereview.com/remington-m...e-psr-contract/

I have a DTA SRS and its working well

 

[Rick_3]

Re: Highest BC .30 projectile?

Hey guys,
I have been contemplating the same question in both .300 Mag or .30-06', and found this bullet. Great bullet at great sierra price. What more could you want. This data is straight from the Sierra GK Web Page. Good Luck!!
.308 dia. 210 gr. HPBT Match .308 210gr. SD=.316 .645 @ 1800 fps and above

Here is the Link:http://sierrabullets.com/index.cfm?section=bullets&page=bc&submit=1&stock_num=2235&bullettype=0

 

[ATLRoach]

Re: Highest BC .30 projectile?

NWCP makes a 180gr 30cal with a claimed .725BC. They are $195 per 100.
http://www.customprojectile.com/30-Cal-RBT-AT-180_p_42.html

 

[Rob01]

Re: Highest BC .30 projectile?

Rick, the Sierra 210 is about $27/<span style="font-weight: bold">50</span> and the 208 AMAX is about $29/100. Also the 208 has a listed BC of .648.

 

[BrownpotDeaton]

Re: Highest BC .30 projectile?

i ran across gs custom bullets located across the pond. they have a 197 grain solid copper bullet that has a b.c. of .824 @3300 f/s and .737 @ 2200 f/s. but the twist rate is like a minimum of 9". However they cost about $94 per 50.

 

[Graham]

Re: Highest BC .30 projectile?

Swampy made me some 210 VLD LBT's. It's a production bullet; when he produces them. I use .680 as a BC number and it works well to 1925 yards. Check out these puppies:

 

[Short-bus]

Re: Highest BC .30 projectile?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Swan</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

True. But who wants to launch cannon balls?

An even better idea is to run a 6.5 instead of .30 cal:

JLK 140gr 6.5 G7=.327, G1=.639

I'm convinced. </div></div>

I think I have you figured out Swan, you are of the light and fast crowd, the advantages of the 6.5mm class of bullets is well known, and even published. In order to get the same performance from the larger .308 caliber we have to use quite heavy bullets. Now, with that being said, all trajectory advantages, and disadvantages aside, the biggest different between the 140gr JLK, and the 208gr Amax or even 210 Berger is downrange kinetic energy. If all your doing is punching holes, or bangin' steel, KE doesn't matter. It comes down to personal preference.

I myself prefer to have a long range hunting load that can serve in matches as well, and I prefer to have a larger heavier bullet to put into the game animal. 208gr is going to carry a significant amount more momentum into a game animal at long range than a 140gr bullet will.

Everyone has their preference, knocking someones choice is counterproductive, and really not necessary. The OP is looking for a high BC .30 bullet, not for someone to tell him he's making a bad decision and it would be better to pick a 6.5.

Now, back to the OP, the 208 amax, and 210bergers are really about the only thing in the class where they are a common production bullet that's not going to cost you an arm and a leg for each bullet. I shoot the 208's, and they make a heck of a thump on the steel at 800 yards unlike the 155 scenars that my shooting partner was shooting. Sure, I would love to shoot those GS Custom bullets that are in the .8's or higher in G1 BC, but at those prices, that's just way beyond what my budget allows. Now once my daughters go off to college, get their degrees, and move out of the nest (17-21 more years minimum) then i'll be able to afford whatever bullets I want. Assuming i'm not in jail for beating a boy senseless for being disrespectful to my little girls.

Branden

 

[LoneWolfUSMC]

Re: Highest BC .30 projectile?

I appreciate the input.

I am torn at this point because I need to buy a factory Remington 700. I am pretty much down to the .243 or the .300WM.

I can get a SPS-V .243 and use it as the base for a competition gun. When I burn out the barrel I can swap over to a fast twist and run the 115 DTACs. OR I can go with a 700P in .300WM and download it for closer range > 800 yard stuff and crank it up with the 208's for the long stuff. In addition it will be a rifle that I can use in a serious capacity should a situation where a really long shot may be required. That's a VERY, VERY slim possibility, but due to my jurisdiction it's not out of the realm of possibility.

Lastly, I have never had a .300WM and I am thinking I would just like to explore the possibilities. Getting one would fill me in on all the major .30's (.300WM, .30'06, .308, 7.62x39). My '06 is a Garand so shooting the 208's out of it really isn't a possibility. I was thinking about a bolt action .30'06, but I just can't see a good reason not to go .300WM.

Can anyone present a situation where the .30'06 is a better choice than the .300WM loaded to the same levels? I realize that the .300WM is a belted magnum and comes with it's own reloading issues, but I have also read that you can resize them to headspace on the shoulder, not the belt and minimize the issues.

 

[bohem]

Re: Highest BC .30 projectile?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: LoneWolfUSMC</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> I was thinking about a bolt action .30'06, but I just can't see a good reason not to go .300WM.

Can anyone present a situation where the .30'06 is a better choice than the .300WM loaded to the same levels? I realize that the .300WM is a belted magnum and comes with it's own reloading issues, but I have also read that you can resize them to headspace on the shoulder, not the belt and minimize the issues.
</div></div>

The barrel life on the 30-06 is going to be better than the 300 WM, ammo is MUCH cheaper to both reload and buy. My 26" barreled 30-06 runs 208's at 2885 fps with RL22 and that stays supersonic to 1700yd

I've shot my 30-06 to 1400y with repeatable hits on a cold day.

The 30-06 uses very easy to find, common brass, you can get Lapua brass in it. The Win brass is good stuff as well, and you can get "plinker" grade brass for it and load it with milsurp powder.

My plinker load shoots around MOA with pulled powder and 150 FMJBT's and I shoot 3050-3100 fps with them. They can run faster but for the sake of barrel and brass life I see no reason to do it.

The 300 WM will have more legs than the 30-06 at super long ranges, but what's the chances that without practice you'll be able to hit a shot with a 300 WM you can't hit with a 30-06? I'm talking about 1600+ yards.

Not to tell you the 300WM isn't a good choice, and from what you're saying, I'd take a 300 over a 243 if that was the only 2 choices, but if I'm allowed to have a 30-06, I'll take that instead because 99.999% of the shots I'll ever take my 06 will handle it just fine.

 

[Onemoretime]

Re: Highest BC .30 projectile?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bohem</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: LoneWolfUSMC</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> I was thinking about a bolt action .30'06, but I just can't see a good reason not to go .300WM.

Can anyone present a situation where the .30'06 is a better choice than the .300WM loaded to the same levels? I realize that the .300WM is a belted magnum and comes with it's own reloading issues, but I have also read that you can resize them to headspace on the shoulder, not the belt and minimize the issues.
</div></div>


The barrel life on the 30-06 is going to be better than the 300 WM, ammo is MUCH cheaper to both reload and buy. My 26" barreled 30-06 runs 208's at 2885 fps with RL22 and that stays supersonic to 1700yd

I've shot my 30-06 to 1400y with repeatable hits on a cold day.

The 30-06 uses very easy to find, common brass, you can get Lapua brass in it. The Win brass is good stuff as well, and you can get "plinker" grade brass for it and load it with milsurp powder.

My plinker load shoots around MOA with pulled powder and 150 FMJBT's and I shoot 3050-3100 fps with them. They can run faster but for the sake of barrel and brass life I see no reason to do it.

The 300 WM will have more legs than the 30-06 at super long ranges, but what's the chances that without practice you'll be able to hit a shot with a 300 WM you can't hit with a 30-06? I'm talking about 1600+ yards.

Not to tell you the 300WM isn't a good choice, and from what you're saying, I'd take a 300 over a 243 if that was the only 2 choices, but if I'm allowed to have a 30-06, I'll take that instead because 99.999% of the shots I'll ever take my 06 will handle it just fine. </div></div>

Nice post.... I concur.

 

[bohem]

Re: Highest BC .30 projectile?

OneMoreTime: Am I missing something in your post?

 

[19Scout77]

Re: Highest BC .30 projectile?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bohem</div><div class="ubbcode-body">OneMoreTime: Am I missing something in your post? </div></div>

Some where in there he wrote "Nice post, I concur"

 

[Onemoretime]

Re: Highest BC .30 projectile?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 19Scout77</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bohem</div><div class="ubbcode-body">OneMoreTime: Am I missing something in your post? </div></div>

Some where in there he wrote "Nice post, I concur" </div></div>

LOL, fixed.

 

[bohem]

Re: Highest BC .30 projectile?

Haha, gotcha... Good to know I'm not losing it...yet.

 

[Rick_3]

Re: Highest BC .30 projectile?

Hey Rob01,
I just saw that they were 50/box, my badd. still a great bullet but I think I am going to be investing in Swampy's 180 gr. LBT for a 180 with .575 BC I am way in!!
LoneWolfUSMC,
bohem also forgot to mention that the .30-06 doesn't kick the shit out of you everytime you take the shot. '06 is very manageable w/o a break, 300wm not so much.
Good Luck!

 

[bohem]

Re: Highest BC .30 projectile?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Rick 3</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hey Rob01,
I just saw that they were 50/box, my badd. still a great bullet but I think I am going to be investing in Swampy's 180 gr. LBT for a 180 with .575 BC I am way in!!
LoneWolfUSMC,
bohem also forgot to mention that the .30-06 doesn't kick the shit out of you everytime you take the shot. '06 is very manageable w/o a break, 300wm not so much.
Good Luck! </div></div>

Rick, I've shot those 180 LBT's from Swampy, they're fantastic bullets!

The 208's in my 06 still whoop your ass, just not quite as badly LOL

 

[LoneWolfUSMC]

Re: Highest BC .30 projectile?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Rick 3</div><div class="ubbcode-body">bohem also forgot to mention that the .30-06 doesn't kick the shit out of you everytime you take the shot. '06 is very manageable w/o a break, 300wm not so much.
Good Luck! </div></div>

However since I am loading my own ammo for it, if I don't want a mule kicking load, I can reduce the charge and end up with less recoil than a '06. You can't juice the '06 up to upper .300WM velocities.

What I am kind of thinking of is trying to get a "do all" system out of the .300WM. Downloading it to .308 velocity/power for "putting" but having the ability to "drive" and feed from the magazine all with the same club.

I am also wondering what kind of performance I can get from 175gr and 155gr loads with the .300WM case capacity. I am not so much worried about barrel life since my .308 will still see the bulk of my shooting. It's the duty gun so it is what I use for my routine practice. Since the .300WM would be configured VERY close to what the .308 is, the training will translate well.

I should be able to pick up a .300WM 700P for a very nice price. If I don't like it, I can at least get my money back out of it. This is assuming of course that I don't krylon it and kick the crap out of it.

 

[flyboy]

Re: Highest BC .30 projectile?

I'd imagine that the 155 lapua's would kick some serious ass outta a 300WM and they would be pretty easy to download and still have a hell of a round. Then save the 208's for heavy work. Thats my plan anyway.

 

[Niles Coyote]

Re: Highest BC .30 projectile?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bohem</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Rick 3</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hey Rob01,
I just saw that they were 50/box, my badd. still a great bullet but I think I am going to be investing in Swampy's 180 gr. LBT for a 180 with .575 BC I am way in!!
LoneWolfUSMC,
bohem also forgot to mention that the .30-06 doesn't kick the shit out of you everytime you take the shot. '06 is very manageable w/o a break, 300wm not so much.
Good Luck! </div></div>

Rick, I've shot those 180 LBT's from Swampy, they're fantastic bullets!

The 208's in my 06 still whoop your ass, just not quite as badly LOL </div></div>

I received my order for 180LBT JLK's Monday, initial load work up of 44-45 grains varget got me 2660 to 2738fps out of a 21.5" rock barreled 308. Just something to think about... Accuracy on par with berger VLD's

 

[LoneWolfUSMC]

Re: Highest BC .30 projectile?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: flyboy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'd imagine that the 155 lapua's would kick some serious ass outta a 300WM and they would be pretty easy to download and still have a hell of a round. Then save the 208's for heavy work. Thats my plan anyway. </div></div>

I am kinda wondering what a 155 Scenar would do to varmints from a .300WM.

I am almost done with the AR10 so the project isn't too far away. I have until December to procrastinate though. I may have to wait and see what a VIP price would be on a MSR (yea right).

 

[TEAMSENDIT]

Re: Highest BC .30 projectile?

I don't think you are going to like the results if you shoot scenars at varmints, I shot the 139's at targets into sand hills and they virtually have no expansion. I recovered some from 1000yd steel and they just bent in half with no expansion, the ones that missed were fully intact. I would guess you could probably even shoot them again. they were virtually mint condition.

The amax would be a much better option for varmints.

 

[LoneWolfUSMC]

Re: Highest BC .30 projectile?

Was that with a .308 or a .300WM?

 

[TEAMSENDIT]

Re: Highest BC .30 projectile?

it was a 260 remington but the bullets should be constructed the same.

 

[LoneWolfUSMC]

Re: Highest BC .30 projectile?

Yes, but a .300WM will push 155's quite a bit faster than a .260 will push 139's. Also remember that in order for the 155's to get the same length as the 175gr SMK they have to have that nice little air gap under the jacket.

I am not sure exactly what they would do on impact at 300WM velocities, but I know on steel at 800 from my .308 all I have left is a bit of the base.

 

[dmschmidt]

Re: Highest BC .30 projectile?

Whats your experience with these? Is the quality good and how do they shoot? Looks good on paper!

 

[Sig685]

Re: Highest BC .30 projectile?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dmschmidt</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Whats your experience with these? Is the quality good and how do they shoot? Looks good on paper! </div></div>

I use the 180gr LBT JLK in F-class competition in my F-T/R .308 rifle, and I use them at 600, 800, 900 and mainly 1000 yards. You need to find an accuracy node that will be above your minimum desired MV and for me that worked out to be 2850FPS and not a maximum load either. I have been very happy with the accuracy and consistency of the bullet.

 

[Jerry R]

Re: Highest BC .30 projectile?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: LoneWolfUSMC</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I am not sure exactly what they would do on impact at 300WM velocities, but I know on steel at 800 from my .308 all I have left is a bit of the base. </div></div>

The 155 Scenar does not expand on varmints even at velocities close to 3400 fps from a 30-338 Win Mag. This is the result of a thick hard jacket that is not designed for expansion. If you want expansion and exploding varmints try the 155 AMAX, you will not be dissatisfied with the results.

 

[SonicBoom]

Re: Highest BC .30 projectile?

definitely a fan of the 240grn SMK's....at least in my gun