Badlands Precision Bullets thread - From BC to terminal ballistics

[nralifer]

@nralifer when using the JBM stability calculator what measurement do I use for the "plastic tip length" parameter?

I use 0.100" to compensate for the fact that aluminum is denser than plastic. If we used the full length of the aluminum tip we would overestimate the stability of the bullet.

 

[JAYgs8163]

New StaBall powders are now available at PV and Midsouth @nralifer

 

[WiscGunner]

Here is the start of my work on the .284 160 SBD-2's in a 28 Sherman, 26" Wilson barrel, 8T. I was running hot loads with Berger 195's getting 3168 fps with N570. My barrel took a beating on it but it is surprisingly accurate still. I have since switched goals for hunting and bullets. While taking deer, elk and antelope beyond 1000 yards has its place, it is not something I personally want to do anymore. So I have found my sweet spots of 830 yards and in. Closer the better. With that in mind and that I no longer use the bench for testing as I want to simulate hunting conditions as much as possible, here are my goals.

160 SBD-2's running 3100 fps or slightly faster using H1000. Keeping my barrel alive for as long as possible.

Hit 10" steel out 1000 yards with 80% hit rate, shorter distances need 100% hit rates with 5 shots.

I shoot from a tripod arca system. I mainly hunt at 6000ft and above.

At my range on the 7th and 33 degrees I was running the 160's 3128fps. My range has metal hanging at 539, 616 then out to 1059, 1132 and 1145. I need to go up in the hills to get to the 700 and 800 yard target setups. My first 5 shots at 539 steel were all hits. I could not tell my grouping since the road out to paint the targets was a mess. Seeing the hits in the scope was good enough for initial work. I had 5 hits at 616 as well.

These bullets fly great so far. I will test out to the farther targets next trip to the range. I will try to post photos as well. This performance should be similar for the 28 Noslers I have built. I will run the 160's out of some 7 SS's I have to build as well.

Hope this info helps anyone in the .284 crowd.

Are you running a 280 Sherman (-06) or a 28 Sherman Magnum (prc)?

 

[nralifer]

Here is the start of my work on the .284 160 SBD-2's in a 28 Sherman, 26" Wilson barrel, 8T. I was running hot loads with Berger 195's getting 3168 fps with N570. My barrel took a beating on it but it is surprisingly accurate still. I have since switched goals for hunting and bullets. While taking deer, elk and antelope beyond 1000 yards has its place, it is not something I personally want to do anymore. So I have found my sweet spots of 830 yards and in. Closer the better. With that in mind and that I no longer use the bench for testing as I want to simulate hunting conditions as much as possible, here are my goals.

160 SBD-2's running 3100 fps or slightly faster using H1000. Keeping my barrel alive for as long as possible.

Hit 10" steel out 1000 yards with 80% hit rate, shorter distances need 100% hit rates with 5 shots.

I shoot from a tripod arca system. I mainly hunt at 6000ft and above.

At my range on the 7th and 33 degrees I was running the 160's 3128fps. My range has metal hanging at 539, 616 then out to 1059, 1132 and 1145. I need to go up in the hills to get to the 700 and 800 yard target setups. My first 5 shots at 539 steel were all hits. I could not tell my grouping since the road out to paint the targets was a mess. Seeing the hits in the scope was good enough for initial work. I had 5 hits at 616 as well.

These bullets fly great so far. I will test out to the farther targets next trip to the range. I will try to post photos as well. This performance should be similar for the 28 Noslers I have built. I will run the 160's out of some 7 SS's I have to build as well.

Hope this info helps anyone in the .284 crowd.

With the BC that bullet has and the altitude you are shooting at 3000 fps is more than adequate to do what you want and will extend the accuracy life of your barrel. The accuracy can deteriorate very quickly if you get enough fire cracking. You might consider using a few shots of Tubb's abrasive bullets to smooth out the fire cracking. Those are low speed shots (2200-2400 fps) and don't require more than about 4-5 shots at a time.

 

[aebhunter]

Just got some 125's (they actually weight 124.1) to try out in my 6.5 PRC shorty. Going to try some 4831sc (which is the same powder I use for my 124 HH Load) and see how they work. I reduced the charge quite a bit and am going to try magnum primers this time, I have had a few sporadic issues in my PRC with regular large rifle primers. If these shoot well, the BC's hold true, AND they perform on game they could be the ticket. I was really surprised at how well the other mono bullets I tried shot, I couldn't find a single load that didn't shoot well under MOA both at zero range and at distance. Hopefully these are the same.

 

[Reemty J]

Let us know aebhunter

 

[aebhunter]

Even though conditions were pretty much the worst I have ever shot in today, (20 mph north wind, 1 degree) I did find a couple good shooting loads. After I got all situated out of the wind and gnar where I could get solid I landed on this load:

6.5 PRC (18" Proof BBL, 7.5 twist, TBAC Ultra 7)

Badlands Bulldozer 2 125 grain
ADG Brass
Fed 215M Primer
56.7 Grains 4831 SC
2.355 CBTO
3035 FPS...I think

I had a hell of a time getting my LabRadar to work today, I think it was because of the cold and the relative ground blizzard that was happening at the time. I finally took a couple rounds and shot them out of the garage so I could get out of the siberia like conditions. I got one reading that was 3035. This makes sense to me, my 124 HH load with the same powder (57.2 grains however) is 3030 fps, and I have a ton of data on that load. I will load up a bunch of these and go validate at distance maybe tomorrow if the weather isn't horrible. Then...maybe an Aoudad in a couple of weeks. I guess no time like the present to test out on some live media.

 

[JAYgs8163]

Even though conditions were pretty much the worst I have ever shot in today, (20 mph north wind, 1 degree) I did find a couple good shooting loads. After I got all situated out of the wind and gnar where I could get solid I landed on this load:

6.5 PRC (18" Proof BBL, 7.5 twist, TBAC Ultra 7)

Badlands Bulldozer 2 125 grain
ADG Brass
Fed 215M Primer
56.7 Grains 4831 SC
2.355 CBTO
3035 FPS...I think

I had a hell of a time getting my LabRadar to work today, I think it was because of the cold and the relative ground blizzard that was happening at the time. I finally took a couple rounds and shot them out of the garage so I could get out of the siberia like conditions. I got one reading that was 3035. This makes sense to me, my 124 HH load with the same powder (57.2 grains however) is 3030 fps, and I have a ton of data on that load. I will load up a bunch of these and go validate at distance maybe tomorrow if the weather isn't horrible. Then...maybe an Aoudad in a couple of weeks. I guess no time like the present to test out on some live media.

I wonder if a faster powder would produce some added velocity to this 125. I run the 144 Berger in my 65PRC @2945 from a 22" 7.5 twist Proof. Powder charge is 54.5 of H4831SC, ADG brass and CCI 250 primer. Seems very slow to me for a 125 grain but it is a 18" barrel. If it were me I'd be trying a faster powder. Worth a try.

In my 18" 308 I run a 130 TTSX at 3085 FPS but using a fast powder to get complete burn and benefit in a short barrel. I use AA2460 in the 308.

 

[nralifer]

Even though conditions were pretty much the worst I have ever shot in today, (20 mph north wind, 1 degree) I did find a couple good shooting loads. After I got all situated out of the wind and gnar where I could get solid I landed on this load:

6.5 PRC (18" Proof BBL, 7.5 twist, TBAC Ultra 7)

Badlands Bulldozer 2 125 grain
ADG Brass
Fed 215M Primer
56.7 Grains 4831 SC
2.355 CBTO
3035 FPS...I think

I had a hell of a time getting my LabRadar to work today, I think it was because of the cold and the relative ground blizzard that was happening at the time. I finally took a couple rounds and shot them out of the garage so I could get out of the siberia like conditions. I got one reading that was 3035. This makes sense to me, my 124 HH load with the same powder (57.2 grains however) is 3030 fps, and I have a ton of data on that load. I will load up a bunch of these and go validate at distance maybe tomorrow if the weather isn't horrible. Then...maybe an Aoudad in a couple of weeks. I guess no time like the present to test out on some live media.

Totally love your dedication. I am completely familiar with that type of weather. Nice to use a temp stable powder as you did. That bullet will make short work of the Aoudad.

 

[KH_Outdoors]

Just getting around to posting some here. I'm doing some load work with the 338 cal 225 BD-2'S & the 250 SBD-2's in my Norma

My train of thought here is that I wanted to see how the good BC 225's run "fast" vs the super high BC 250's going slower-moderate. Ultimately it would be for hunting purposes within moderate distances so the more accurate load wins! And mag length may become a factor...

I'm getting killer results already and this has been my first experience with Badlands Bullets... I think they're winners!

Rifle info:

338 Norma
Defiance Ruckus action
Proof carbon sendero 24" 1-9.4 tw
Ti Pro 3 ST brake
XLR Element 4.0 chassis (Viking Armament Branded)

Bullets to try:

225 gr BD-2
G1 - .665
G7 - .340
Goal - 3000-3100 fps

250 gr SBD-2
G1 - .800
G7 - .410
Goal - 2800-2900 fps

More to follow!!

 

[KH_Outdoors]

First workup. Decided to start with H1000. I know it's a little on slow side for velocities but I'm trying to stick with what I have some frame of reference with and using temp stable powders only.

338 Norma
225 gr BD-2
H1000 (87-94 gr pressure ladder)
Lapua Brass
Fed215

Ended up with a really nice load at 91 gr's. From 90.5-91.5 there was an ES of 12 fps and I had slight heavy bolt lift at 93 gr.

Tried seating depths from .050-.100" off the lands, and settled on .070" jump. .050" and closer was 3/4-1 moa, and it started opening up again farther than .100" jump.

Final load:

225 BD-2, COAL - 3.638" (.070" off)
91 gr H1000
Lapua
Fed215

AV - 2970 (fps)
ES - 19
SD - 9.5

3 shot group @ 100 yds = .350" ctc

 

[KH_Outdoors]

Next workup. Decided to go with N565. Again sticking to the most temp stable options first. I took a step slower in burn rates because I felt I could get full case fill with it AND the 225/H1000 combo seemed to pressure a little sooner than expected. I was very pleased with what I found!

338 Norma
225 gr BD-2
N565 (87-95 gr pressure ladder)
Lapua Brass
Fed215

Ended up with a really nice load at 93.5 gr's. From 93-94 there was an ES of 19 fps and I just started to see slight heavier bolt lift at 95 gr. 95 was full case too.

Tried seating depths again from .050-.100" off the lands, and settled on .075" jump. .050" and closer was 1-1.5 moa, and it started opening up again farther than .100" jump. This bullet just loves that .075" jump!

Final load:

225 BD-2, COAL - 3.633" (.075" off)
93.5 gr N565
Lapua
Fed215

AV - 3026 (fps)
ES - 20
SD - 10.4

3 shot group @ 100 yds = .200" ctc

 

[KH_Outdoors]

Next up are 250 SBD-2's. Going to start out with N565 and see how it goes. I just saw another guy on here (thanks @RH300UM ) have great results with those 250's in a 338 RBH Norma Improved with the same proof barrel. Not so sure if I could get the case fill before pressure with N570 vs N565. So N565 it is!

Below:

225 BD-2 vs 250 SBD-2's

 

[nralifer]

First workup. Decided to start with H1000. I know it's a little on slow side for velocities but I'm trying to stick with what I have some frame of reference with and using temp stable powders only.

338 Norma
225 gr BD-2
H1000 (87-94 gr pressure ladder)
Lapua Brass
Fed215

Ended up with a really nice load at 91 gr's. From 90.5-91.5 there was an ES of 12 fps and I had slight heavy bolt lift at 93 gr.

Tried seating depths from .050-.100" off the lands, and settled on .070" jump. .050" and closer was 3/4-1 moa, and it started opening up again farther than .100" jump.

Final load:

225 BD-2, COAL - 3.638" (.070" off)
91 gr H1000
Lapua
Fed215

AV - 2970 (fps)
ES - 19
SD - 9.5

3 shot group @ 100 yds = .350" ctc

That is a very excellent load, excellent grouping. Will dispatch anything in North America.