168 Berger Hybrid Results

[liltank]

Well I finally took the plunge into a new bullet. I've been debating this bullet to use for F-T/R class this year. As this is my first year, the only thing I have to worry about is winning (don't see that happening, my wind skills SUCK!). Anyway, I was able to the range today with some bullets and 4 different powders. The idea for 1000yd competition I need to meet a specific number. So that number is Mach 1.2 at 1000yds. To do so, many chose to shoot the 175 SMK, Berger, 178 A-max, and 185 Berger. These can do it with nominal velocity around 2600-2700 fps depending on the bullet. Some will even use the 208 A-max and the 210 Berger. These are all in .308 Winchester. It needs to be due to .223 and .308 are the only permitted calibers for F-T/R.

So I know that my rifle loves 168 grain bullet. Berger came out with a magic pill that cures the low BC disease that plagues the 168 class bullet. It is the Hybrid w/ a G1 BC of .510 and G7 of .266. If you crunch the numbers, the 168 Hybrid only needs to be pushed to 2740fps to achieve the magical number of Mach 1.2 to achieve them minimum stability speed for accuracy at 1000yds. Well after much research and debate I have found some powders that will do just what I need. With out further ado here's what I got.


These are all Alliant powders:


AR Comp


42.6grns 2748, 2748, 2738 Avg. 2745 ES 9.95 SD 5.74 Group 2 in one hole with a flier. I think if I seat them another .005 to .010 deeper, I should be able to rain that in.

42.8grns 2785, 2777, 2771 Avg. 2777 ES 12.75 SD 6.48 Same as above.

Power Pro 2000MR

49.0grns 2886, 2890, 2880 Avg. 2885 ES 10.31 SD 5.00 Group .5"

49.3grns 2890, 2895, 2909 Avg. 2898 ES 18.76 SD 9.84 Group .2"

49.5grns 2919, 2930, 2933 Avg. 2928 ES 14.15 SD 7.34 Group .5"

RL17

49.0grns 2774, 2780, 2776 Avg. 2777 ES 5.73 SD 3.00

So I am going to try these loads at 6 or 700 yards to see how they perform at distance. I have high hopes for the PP2K 49.5, RL17 49.0, and 42.6 of the AR Comp.

 

[grit]

A 308 for f-class? You're makin' it hard on yourself. Neck that 308 down to 243 and you can run bullets with the same BC 500 fps faster. You'd cut dropped points and recoil in half.

I'm pokin' fun of course. But, doing what I say. I run 105's at 3200 out of a 6x47Lapua.

 

[liltank]

A 308 for f-class? You're makin' it hard on yourself. Neck that 308 down to 243 and you can run bullets with the same BC 500 fps faster. You'd cut dropped points and recoil in half.

I'm pokin' fun of course. But, doing what I say. I run 105's at 3200 out of a 6x47Lapua.

That would be okay for F-open, but for F-T/R you can only use .223 or .308. If I got into F-open then it would be a 6XC or 6.5x47 Lapua.

 

[liltank]

Just to make a correction, I noticed my fat fingers typed the wrong G1 BC for this bullet. The numbers are as follows:

BC
G1 .519
G7 .266
Bullet length 1.281

Here's a comparison: (left to right) 168 Berger Hybrid, 168NBT, 175 Custom Comp, 168 A-max

You can see that the Berger has a much smaller bearing surface with a longer nose and boat tail.

Seating depth with 2 separate accuracy loads.

 

[liltank]

Here are the targets from Wednesday at the range. Not sure what I did with the RL17 target. It was in the .2" or less range. It's stats were:

Avg. 2777, ES 5.73, SD 3.00

I think I can take care of that flier and tighten up the groups in the 42.6 and 42.8 seating the bullet a little deeper. That should also tighten up the ES too.... theoretically!

 

[signature542]

Nothing wrong with some of those groups.

I dabble in a bit of F class shooting here In Aus and the .223 and .308 are cassified as standard and other claibres go into an Open class.. We are restricted to certain bullets as well..

In the 308 we most F class shootes use a lot of ADI 2208 which is Hogdon Varget I believe.. This maybe worth a try..

 

[liltank]

I keep getting that pressure, so I might just have to give it a go. I just don't like the problem of inconsistent lot's. The other thing is getting the velocity I want to achieve which is 2750+. That will keep the bullet fast enough at 1000yds and maintain accuracy at that distance. We'll see. I have a little in the safe down stairs.

 

[signature542]

Liltank

We are restricted to 155gn bullets in the .308 in Standard class and generally use Dyer bullets a locally made projie. Berger have a dead ringer now for the 155 Dyer..!
I'm working on using a .223 with an an 80gn A max so the Junior dosent get pounded by recoil. The .223 is very competitive in this area as well.

Generally 30 inch match .308 barrels are used to get the last few fps..
How long is the barrel on your .308?
My buddy is up there on the score board with a short tubed .308 hashed together on a Remmy 700. I will get his load for you..when he comes back from Duck opening.

 

[liltank]

Generally 30 inch match .308 barrels are used to get the last few fps..
How long is the barrel on your .308?
My buddy is up there on the score board with a short tubed .308 hashed together on a Remmy 700. I will get his load for you..when he comes back from Duck opening.

I have a 28" 1:12 Lothar Walther tube. It will be interesting to see his load data, thank you. I've been thinking about building a 24" 1:8 .223 so I don't get too beat up either. I really don't care for recoil. 223 in an 18# rifle sounds about right to me. I think if I ever get into F-open then I will consider a 6.5 of some type. It will more than likely be a 6.5x47 shooting 123 Lapua's or 130 Berger's.