Lapua 30 caliber 185 grain D46 bullet

[Unknown]

Although Lapua still lists this as a bullet they make, I am unable to find any vendors who sell it. With a BC of .547 I would really like to give it a try in my McMillan built M40A1 in 300 Win Mag.

Currently, I'm using either the 190 Sierra Matchking, or the 185 grain Lapua Scenar...both shoot wonderfully. But like most precision shooters, I think I may be able to improve things.

1. Does anyone have any experience with this bullet? I have read that there are occasional flyers, but that posting was quite old and seemed to be biased in favor of the Sierra bullets.
2. Does anyone know where to buy this bullet?
3. Is there a better bullet to try that I wouldn't have to seat longer than the SAAMI spec? I really don't want to turn my rifle into a single shot by having to jam the bullets into the lands.

Many thanks in advance.

 

[MLC]

Re: Lapua 30 caliber 185 grain D46 bullet

It looks like Powder valley stocks them but had them labeled as a 185 FMJ.
To my knowledge Lapua only makes a 123 FMJ.

You might take a look at these articles also:

German Salazar on heavy bullets courtesy of 6mmBR.

German Salazar on the Eliseo tube gun in 30'06.

 

[BCP]

Re: Lapua 30 caliber 185 grain D46 bullet

Powdervalley has some in stock. I would like to hear how well it shoots too as I could buy them for the same price as a sierra matchking give or take.

 

[Unknown]

Re: Lapua 30 caliber 185 grain D46 bullet

Both articles came up the same when I tried to access them, but I was able to access the tube gun article by going directly to the web site. 6mmbr.com has always had some interesting articles. And the gun of the month section is true "gun porn".

Thanks for the input everyone. I knew you would come through.

Oddly, my 300 win mag shoots either the 190 SMK, or the 185 Lapua scenar very well with the same powder charge of 68.5 of IMR4350. Velocity for the 190 bullet out of my 26 inch Obermeyer 5R barrel is 2960fps. The load shoots 1.3 to 1.4 inches at 300 yards. I haven't even tried to better that. It is consistent, and I really don't think I can hold any better. I suppose if I went from simple sandbags to a benchrest type of setup I could get better groups, but I prefer to stay with the type of rests I would use in the field: pack in front, and a small range pillow for the toe of the stock.

 

[ChrisGarrett]

Re: Lapua 30 caliber 185 grain D46 bullet

I've got some D-46 185 gr bullets, both from an original Lapua box and some that Speer bought and marketed under their banner. They are marked .309", which some European manufacturers were want to do, feeling that the wider bullet shot more accurately.

The D-46 is a 'rebated' boat tail and is not to be confused with their older and more famous D-166, which is a classic bullet with driving bands on the base and has done well in many competitions until the more modern designs emerged.

The Lock Base is a FMJ, but not a rebated boat tail and we don't find that in 185grs, but rather in 150 and 170 grs.

Honestly, unless you can get the D-46s at a good price, the 185 Scenars (which I also shoot) are probably a more accurate bullet.

Chris

 

[warren3537]

Re: Lapua 30 caliber 185 grain D46 bullet

I remember picking up some years ago when I was on Recruiting duty in New Mexico, a guy in Raton was selling them for $10.00 a hundred, so I bought all he had, both D-46 in 170gr and 185gr, and my M1A loves them.

 

[bohem]

Re: Lapua 30 caliber 185 grain D46 bullet

If you're looking for a higher BC and jump tolerant you might try the 208 Amax's. With a true BC over 0.63 it's going to do really well from the WM case. My 30-06 accuracy load is 2875 from a 26" barrel, you should get well in excess of 2900 with RL22.