gladstone10001 wrote:Hi guys - thanks for all the detailed responses.
LawrenceA - have put about 100 rounds through rifle. Have tried about 7/8 different factory loads including 2-3 different Sako rounds. The Sako Hammerheads grouped sub Moa (180gr) as did the Sellier & Bellot 180gr which grouped even better. Other ammo brands and weights not as well. 150gr federals also grouped sub-Moa. All scope, mounts etc appropriately tightened. What I am wanting to achieve is to extend the distance and ballistic performance of cartridges for the rifle. The Hornady rounds I referenced have a higher velocity and terminal distance but didn’t group aswell as I would like so am hoping to see if I can improve the projectile grouping but maintain velocity and distance capabilities of the projectile through reloading. I am also looking to see if I can do the same for different weight bullets that had not necessarily grouped as well from factory loads such as 150gr and 220gr. More just trying to see if reloading allows a rifle to perform with all bullet weights. The Sako has a 1:11 twist rate. Hope this helps in response and thank you everyone for taking the time to respond.
I stumbled on the thread I mentioned from a Google search -
https://enoughgun.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=11030If you are wanting to shoot live targets at long ranges there are a few different options. Keep in mind that even a 180gn .550BC bullet at 2800fps is going to be below its design velocity (1600-1800fps) by about 700m max - it becomes an FMJ at that point. Lighter bullets, lower BC and lower velocity will reduce this range further.
I've been working on my own bullet database so these are some options you could look at.
Berger would be my first choice if you can find them.
Hornady
178gn ELDX 1.420" G1 552 G7 278
178gn ELDM 1.320" G1 547 G7 275
200gn ELDX 1.530" G1 597 G7 301 - (I suspect this will be too long for an 11"-twist, but stability calculators seem to okay it. Barnes specify 10"-twist for their 1.571" 190gn LRX).
Barnes
168gn TSX 1.318" G1 404
168gn TTSX 1.406" G1 470
175gn LRX 1.472" G1 508 - 11"-twist specified
180gn TTSX 1.488" G1 484 - 11"-twist specified
180gn TSX 1.389" G1 553
Berger
180gn Elite Hunter 1.375" G1 576 G7 295
190gn VLD Hunting 1.371" G1 566 G7 290 - 11"-twist specified
205gn Elite Hunter 1.487" G1 631 G7 324 - 11"-twist specified
210gn VLD Hunting 1.470" G1 625 G7 320 - 11"-twist specified
Nosler
168gn ETip 1.400" G1 503
180gn ETip 1.464" G1 523
180gn Partition Spitzer 1.260" G1 474
180gn SilverTip 1.360" G1 507
180gn Ballistic Tip 1.360" G1 507
200gn Partition Spitzer 1.350" G1 481
Sierra
180gn Gameking 1.288" BC 501 @ 2700 fps and above 506 between 2700 and 1700 fps 505 @ 1700 fps and below
180gn Tipped GameKing Length not known BC 515 @ 2100 fps and above 480 between 1680 and 2100 fps 445 @ 1680 fps and below
200gn Tipped Gameking 1.400" BC 560 @ 2600 fps and above 552 between 2600 and 2300 fps 555 between 2300 and 1900 fps 560 @ 1900 fps and below
Speer
168gn GoldDot 1.153" G1 572
172gn Impact Length not known G1 522
180gn SPBT 1.282" G1 540
190gn Impact Length not known G1 596
200gn HotCore 1.270" G1 556
Woodleigh (Woodleigh have blunt points and a high minimum terminal velocity of 2000fps which makes them relatively short-range bullets)
180gn 65D PPSP 1.190" 435
200gn 65E PPSP 1.278" G1 450
240gn 65G PPSP 1.428" G1 401