Another general opinion question on bullets

[canes7]

Bullets I have shot many, many, many of:

Hornady; 68's, 155's 168's
Sierra: 77's, 80's, 135's
Lapua: 77 Scenar-L's
Berger: 80.5's

I was a Sierra believer for years, using their 77 and 80 SMK's for SR competition and vintage stuff. When I switched to the Lapua/Berger combo it all just came together. I've dumped the Hornady's all together. I used to use them in my M1 and 03A3 but since going over to the 135 SMK, I haven't looked back. Now, with the improvement I saw with the Bergers, I am thinking of switching over to Bergers for my .30 cal. loads once I run out of 135 SMK's.

[78jeep]

for AR's we used 77g and 80g SMK. for Garands / 03's a 175 smk or Hornaday 178 A-Max has really worked well.

78jeep

[rcolarco]

Originally Posted by M829A3

with 26 in heavy barrel in 30.06. Not looking to go comp shooting, but extend my range a bit. Most eveything in 223, 308 , 30.05 and 300 WM, must be pretty sorted out by now, so I figured there must be some consensus. And yes, I know every tube shoots differently. ( Last time I competed in any shooting qual/comp was with the M256A1 120 mm tank gun, which really stretches the range out a bit. Some tubes could do clover leafs at 1800, others barely target form at the same range.) So I just figure, I shouldn't have to start from a complete unknown.

I have had 700s (HB) in .222, .223, .308, .30-06, .25-06. All have shot well, easily MOA with the right bullets. Sierra and Berger. A custom barrel and a better trigger will improve things even more.

[.22shooter]

Originally Posted by M829A3

Of the suppliers , ( Sierra, Nosler, Hornady, Berger, etc.) is there any that is thought or proven better or worse? Or is this a situation where 1 manufacturer makes a better single type than others, with everybody having their one or two winners ?

The short answer to your question is that every manufacturer has their products that really shine.

It doesn't matter who makes the bullet, pick the least expensive yet most accurate in the gun(s) you use and then buy in bulk.

For example, Hornady's 75 grain BTHP in 22 cal have shot well in over 6 rifles. I buy them by the case of 4000.

Bill

[Pinecone]

Originally Posted by M829A3

with 26 in heavy barrel in 30.06. Not looking to go comp shooting, but extend my range a bit. Most eveything in 223, 308 , 30.05 and 300 WM, must be pretty sorted out by now, so I figured there must be some consensus. And yes, I know every tube shoots differently. ( Last time I competed in any shooting qual/comp was with the M256A1 120 mm tank gun, which really stretches the range out a bit. Some tubes could do clover leafs at 1800, others barely target form at the same range.) So I just figure, I shouldn't have to start from a complete unknown.

Not really. This is why Federal Gold Medal Match shoots well in every rifle of that caliber.

http://optimalchargeweight.embarqspace.com/

For .308 - Lapua brass, Federal 200M Primer, Sierra 175 grain Match King, and 43.5 grains of Varget.

Or you can work up the load yourself, and come up with the same thing.