Range Report Shooting CNC Lathed Solids from .338 Lapua

[LapuaLover]

Can someone shed some light on this topic?

My ballistics program tells me the following BC's for each of the commercial bullets I've worked with.

.805 300gr Lapua Scenar
.755 300gr Sierra Match King
.675 250gr Sierra Match King
.662 250gr Lapua Scenar

Now here's the question(s)...

I've been looking at "solids" over the last few months and want to give them a try. I've seen some shops that claim a BC on their .338 CNC Lathed bullets of 1.010 some higher some lower!!

http://www.gsgroup.co.za/sptech.html
http://www.predatorprojectiles.com.au/html/projectiles.html
http://www.rmbullets.com/page6.html
http://www.xtrememachining.biz/products_338xtreme.html

What would any of you experienced larger bore, long range shooters out there with experience shooting solids, say I should expect with my experimentation?

I realize the bullets are harder on my barrel and possibly some copper fouling to stay on top of, but what else? I’m told I have to push’em faster too. From 3100fps to 3400fps. (I loose accuracy with the commercial bullets if I push’em past 3000fps, I’ve already established that with my rifle/chronograph).

Do these kinds of bullets fly better? Fly flatter/straighter? Faster? More energy? Have more penetrating ability at further distances?

I've been able to punch through 5/8 steel at 500 yards with a 250gr Lapua FMJBT, but it wouldn't do it at 550 yards. Would the solids do better penetrating that sort of material at further distances?

Is it worth the extra money and barrel wear to shoot solids? Is the accuracy really that much more noticeable?

 

[XLR]

Re: Shooting CNC Lathed Solids from .338 Lapua

LL, The following is my understanding of solids versus lead core bullets. I am in no way a bullet guru but this is what I have picked up. Personally, I have shot solids in my 6.5, 308, 338 and 375 so I do have a little experience with them.

The benefit of running solids over lead-core bullets is the ability to have a more ballistically efficient bullet that can be pushed faster without failure. Generally, I would not say they are more accurate because of their length. However, having better ballistics, they will generally be more accurate at extended ranges than the lead bullets. These bullets do for the most part fly faster, flatter, and straighter because of the higher BC's. Solid bullets have more weight retention than lead and thus will have better penetrating abilities.

The bullets you listed vary on what they are made of:

GSC: copper alloy
Predator: Brass
RMB: Lead Core
XTM: copper(?)

They are more money but you have too decide it the maximum range is for you. Make sure you have the proper twist rate to stabilize the heavies. Solid bullets are longer in relation to weight than their lead counterparts.

 

[XLR]

Re: Shooting CNC Lathed Solids from .338 Lapua

Here is a pic to get a better idea.
Left to right: 225 gr .338 Nosler, 300 gr .338 SMK, 245 gr .338 Lehigh, 350 gr .375 Jammison

Take the middle bullets. Although the 245 gr Lehigh weighs 65 grains less than the SMK, it is approximately .100" longer. Calculated G1 BC is .869 versus .768 of the SMK. Longer high BC bullet able to travel at faster velocity.

Another example: 168 gr .30 cal SMK, 190 gr .30 SMK, 165 gr Barnes banded solid. Although the 165 is the lightest bullet there, it is .020" longer than the 190 SMK and .178" longer than the 168 gr SMK.

 

[Lt. Arclight]

Re: Shooting CNC Lathed Solids from .338 Lapua

The only problem with shooting solids in any rifle is finding the barrel that likes them. Barrel wear isn't a concern-stability or the lack of is the issue.

I've had great luck with Lehigh's solids in the 50BMG and as of late he has been sold out of the 338's. I have yet to give them a serious try in the 338LM.

 

[Gerard Schultz]

Re: Shooting CNC Lathed Solids from .338 Lapua

Heavy barrel wear is not a given with all monometallic bullets. A good indication is the engraving pressure (shot start pressure) of the bullet. Lead core bullets typically have a shot start pressures around 3500psi.

A drive band, turned bullet is much lower than that. Do not confuse grooved bullets with drive band bullets, there is a world of difference in how they interact with the barrel.

Simple test: Take a series of bullets of equal weight and load them with the same powder charge. Middle of the range is fine. Shoot them over a chronograph. The bullet with the lowest speed has the least engraving pressure.