Next load; stick with 155 or switch to 168 or 185?

[Mr_Happyface]

Alright so here's the question,

I currently shoot Berger 155.5 (.237 G7) through a 26" 1-12 bbl. at 3000 fps. Using JBM I get:
Range MOA 4mph Wind Velocity
1000 -29.6 4.3 1304.9

The above matches what I'm seeing at the range. This round is amazingly accurate.


The brass I'm using is at the end of it's life and I can never leave good enough alone so I'm wondering if it's worth it to switch to either 168 gr Match Hybrid Target (.266 G7) or 185 gr Match Hybrid Target (.291 G7)

Where I hit a wall is estimating what kind of MV I'll get with either weight at that barrel length, and if the gain in BC will make up for the loss of MV in such a way that it's actually worth switching.

Is the 155 the best combination of velocity and BC when it comes to .308?

 

[Houston Fire 34]

I like the 168s. I run them in my 700SA. they seem stay pretty stable at 800 to a grand. Don't over look the 208 match. this is not bad but a lot more drop. If you know ur come ups then its not a problem. The wind doesn't move it much at all. Play with them all and see what your gun likes. JMO

 

[Mr_Happyface]

This article brought up some good points which I never considered about bearing surface;

The Rifleman's Journal: Cartridges: The .308 Heavy Bullet Conundrum

 

[308sako]

In my 26.5" Rock 5R I get 2780 with 175's and 2980 with the 155.5 Berger, the 185 Bergers are at 2630 for their best accuracy node in my rifle.

 

[280nosler]

Well I was at a shoot in late September and would not have believed it if I hadn't seen it, but a shooter was sending 208 grain Hornady A-Max's flying to 900 yards with a 308 that had a 1/12 barrel. He was shooting them at 2500 fps if memory serves me, and the brass did not look beat to hell either.

That said, my gun despises 175 grain bullets, but will shoot 155-168 grain bullets lights out, and I have a 1/10 twist barrel. Take the next logical step and try the 168 before you go any further. My 168 nirvana load uses RL-15 which is about as scarce as a government healthcare plan these days.