Which Berger?

[Corvalliscory]

Yes I'll have a good brake on it but it'll be about 10lbs scoped so trying to make it manageable to shoot

 

[Corvalliscory]

I didn't run wind drift but the 215's @3225, the 230's @3150 and the 245's @3050, the 215's still shine to 1k over the others. Hmmm.

 

[elkaholic]

I didn't run wind drift but the 215's @3225, the 230's @3150 and the 245's @3050, the 215's still shine to 1k over the others. Hmmm.

They do very well to 1000 for sure! It really is a toss up for what you want most. At 1200 yards, things are starting to turn and since I'm hunting elk, I really like mass and the added energy helps open the bullet as well since velocities are coming together. Also, the 245 has a touch thinner jacket, I believe, and expansion at distance is very important.
It really comes down to what you like.

 

[Corvalliscory]

Sorry I was editing my post and added the info at 500 and 1k. Yeah this is a bear and elk hunt mostly with the occasional deer.

 

[highdrum]

Yes I'll have a good brake on it but it'll be about 10lbs scoped so trying to make it manageable to shoot

You'll notice the difference in recoil for sure. I worked up a load for the 245, believe it was 87.3gr N570 going 2950. Recoil was STOUT compared to my 215s @ 3150 fps. Windage is the only place the 245 wins, oh and energy. But it's almost a wash. 215 @ 3150, 230 @ 3050, 245 @ 2950, they all have very similar flight paths. The 245 is a BIG pill.

 

[elkaholic]

You'll notice the difference in recoil for sure. I worked up a load for the 245, believe it was 87.3gr N570 going 2950. Recoil was STOUT compared to my 215s @ 3150 fps. Windage is the only place the 245 wins, oh and energy. But it's almost a wash. 215 @ 3150, 230 @ 3050, 245 @ 2950, they all have very similar flight paths. The 245 is a BIG pill.

I still like MASS

 

[highdrum]

I still like MASS

Then go 338, 300s are king.

 

[elkaholic]

Then go 338, 300s are king.

True.....mass/bore size was what I meant!

 

[Backcountry sports]

Finished a 30 Nosler build. 26" Proof barrel with 1-9.4" twist rate. This rifle will be used for primarily for elk. Which bullet is better? The 215 Hybrid of 230 OTM?

215 berger all the way

 

[bdyal1972]

You'll notice the difference in recoil for sure. I worked up a load for the 245, believe it was 87.3gr N570 going 2950. Recoil was STOUT compared to my 215s @ 3150 fps. Windage is the only place the 245 wins, oh and energy. But it's almost a wash. 215 @ 3150, 230 @ 3050, 245 @ 2950, they all have very similar flight paths. The 245 is a BIG pill.

However

Barrel life will be better with 245!!!

 

[highdrum]

However

Barrel life will be better with 245!!!

You think? I bet they'll be close to the same. Yeah you have 4 more grains, 5%more? in the 215 load. But pressure is likely very close.

 

[bdyal1972]

You think? I bet they'll be close to the same. Yeah you have 4 more grains, 5%more? in the 215 load. But pressure is likely very close.

Less powder

Less speed

Less heat

More recoil

More penetration

Win win

 

[trebark]

Finished a 30 Nosler build. 26" Proof barrel with 1-9.4" twist rate. This rifle will be used for primarily for elk. Which bullet is better? The 215 Hybrid of 230 OTM?

The answer is 'it depends'....

Both bullets are great elk medicine. The deciding factor will be the maximum range you intend to engage the elk.

Although the 230 has a better BC than the 215, you can push the 215 faster. This means at 'closer' ranges, the 215 will be better in drop and drift compared to the 230. But as the range gets longer, eventually the BC of the 230 will take over.

For example, I built a 300RUM and shot the 208Amax rather than the 230berger. When I ran the ballistics on these bullets, the 208 was better out to ~1200 before the BC of the 230 took over. Knowing I would not take a shot at an animal beyond 1200, the 208 was a better bullet for my application.

 

[L.Sherm]

To many people get wrapped up in thinking a bigger higher B.C is better, not always the case.