Bullet for a bolt gun !

[wll]

From everything I have read, folks are getting great accuracy with 123gr A-Max's, this is out of a bolt gun and AR's.

My soon to be bolt gun has a long barrel and was wondering if a 140gr A-Max would be better at 500 yds plus as I can squeeze all the velocity out of the cartridge and not worry about an AR not cycling. The added BC may also make a difference in side wind drift, I don't know.

Anyway, just thinking out loud !


wll

[Bike Effects]

123 grain Lapua Scenar is the most accurate bullet I have tried in this caliber.

[LRRPF52]

If you want the most accurate, the new Lapua Scenar-L series is the one to beat.

There's a 120gr, and a 136gr 6.5mm that were just added in the past year. They totally re-built the manufacturing process to ensure concentricity of the cup and core, and did something to improve core alloy uniformity, as well as profile consistency. They achieved .3 MOA 8-round groups at 300m with the Scenar-L's. The 136gr has a .545 G1 BC, G7 0.274

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/517014/...ox-of-1000

I have had equal accuracy performance from the 123gr Scenar and 123gr A-MAX at 100yds, but haven't compared them at distance in my little 16" carbine.

[wll]

If you want the most accurate, the new Lapua Scenar-L series is the one to beat.

There's a 120gr, and a 136gr 6.5mm that were just added in the past year. They totally re-built the manufacturing process to ensure concentricity of the cup and core, and did something to improve core alloy uniformity, as well as profile consistency. They achieved .3 MOA 8-round groups at 300m with the Scenar-L's. The 136gr has a .545 G1 BC, G7 0.274

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/517014/...ox-of-1000

I have had equal accuracy performance from the 123gr Scenar and 123gr A-MAX at 100yds, but haven't compared them at distance in my little 16" carbine.

How do you think the 136L would do in my long barrels bolt gun, do you think the ~545 BC is enough to overcome the velocity advantage of the 123gr A-Max ? My twist is 1/8

I'm getting tired of waiting for the A-Max to come in and don't like the SST's ... plus Midway is having a sale on the 136'ers right now ;- )


wll

[LRRPF52]

From your barrel, you should be able to push the 136gr Scenar to 2650fps or more. It will be hard to beat the accuracy of it.

The Berger 130gr VLD is another one to look at, but the Scenar-L introduces a new standard for accurate bullets, not resting on their laurels with the already top-tier Scenar series.

That deal on the 136gr Scenar-L is pretty good, and use the Midway code BLACKFRI

[wll]

From your barrel, you should be able to push the 136gr Scenar to 2650fps or more. It will be hard to beat the accuracy of it.

The Berger 130gr VLD is another one to look at, but the Scenar-L introduces a new standard for accurate bullets, not resting on their laurels with the already top-tier Scenar series.

That deal on the 136gr Scenar-L is pretty good, and use the Midway code BLACKFRI

After I get home from taking everyone out to turkey dinner, I'll see if I have enough money to buy them, If I do (and I think I will) then I'm just about set with everything !

wll

[wll]

After I get home from taking everyone out to turkey dinner, I'll see if I have enough money to buy them, If I do (and I think I will) then I'm just about set with everything !

wll

Well, I ordered some bullets, not exactly the ones I wanted, but ordered them non the less.

I ordered a couple of hundred 123gr Hornady SST's. One reason I ordered them instead of the Lapua Scener136L's is I bought IMR 8208 powder because of it's supposedly being a stable powder. I live in Lancaster, CA and the temp extremes can be very significant. (high Desert) From what I have seemed to gather IMR 8208 does not get the velocity out of heaver bullets like a few other powders when using heavy bullets and can spike when pushed a little to much. I want consistency, velocity and accuracy .... (I'm not asking to much am I)

Another reason is it seems like 123gr bullets are the sweet spot as far as velocity vs weight are concerned in the 6.5 Grendel, plus the A-Max 123gr, which is my bullet of choice has the same BC as this bullet. I may need to load the 123gr SST bullet out a bit, but I can do that since it will be used in a bolt gun.

I'm setting this gun up to be a cool light recoiling bench gun for me shooting non competitive paper, gongs etc ... I'm sure from all I have read the Hornady SST and A-Max bullets are way above my ability. If I was shooting competition stuff, then that is a different story and in all probability the Scener L 136gr might be of consideration.

I hope I made the correct choice !


wll

[earl39]

Before anyone goes hog wild over the new Lapua Scenar-L bullets they should look at Lapua's website and compare them. They may be more consistent but is it enough to offset the price difference and in the 6.5 caliber the 3gr difference between the 136 and 139 bullets is not enough to talk about. This is taken from the Lapua web site.
Midway has the regular price for the 136 marked at 449.99 and the 139 at 369.99 per 1000. I just can't see 90 bucks of improvement. JMHO

4 PL/HL 6033 6.5 mm (6.71 mm / .264) Scenar GB504 OTM 6.50 100 0.424 0.212 *
4 PL/HL 6020 6.5 mm (6.71 mm / .264) Scenar GB464 OTM 7.00 108 0.465 0.231 *
4 PL/HL 6021 6.5 mm (6.71 mm / .264) Scenar-L GB547 OTM 7,80 120 0.497 0.246 *
4 PL/HL 6032 6.5 mm (6.71 mm / .264) Scenar GB489 OTM 8.00 123 0.527 0.263 *
4 PL/HL 6019 6.5 mm (6.71 mm / .264) Scenar-L GB546 OTM 8.80 136 0.545 0.274 *
4 PL/HL 6018 6.5 mm (6.71 mm / .264) Scenar GB458 OTM 9.00 139 0.578 0.290 *

[BjornF16]

Depends on what your intended use/goals are.

If competing in long range, the extra $90 may be worth the alleged improved accuracy

If just plinking at long ranges, then maybe not worth it...

I'm looking forward to getting the Nosler Accubond LR in 129 grains for hunting...