Twist and configuration for copper solids?

[davkrat]

I've been trying to get these E-Tips to shoot and am having no luck. The Remington barrel on my 700 SPS .308 may only have so much potential but it does okay with lead core bullets. In the past I had some good luck with the E-Tips but not sure if that was a specific batch of bullets and or powder? Been running Winchester brass and Varget powder. Been shooting 45.5 grains of Varget which is below the mid load on the Hodgdon site but just looked at Nosler's online data and their mid charge of Varget for 150's is 44.5 gr. I did flatten a couple of primers so I'm going to drop the charge back down to 44.5 gr.

My question is whether or not the 6 grooved 10" twist rifling of my barrel is not helping the 150 grain E-Tips? I'm thinking a 5R 12" or 13" twist might be a little easier on them. Not too worried about the twist but I am curious if the opposing even number of lands doesn't squeeze the solid core too much compared to a odd number of lands like a 5R has. I'm thiking of getting a 20" PacNor 5R 12" twist. Doubt I'll loose much velocity as I am only getting 2730 fps now out of the 24" barrel. I don't ever intend to shoot 180 grain or higher bullets that would require faster twist or slower powders. The .308 is really just my pig gun as I'll choose the 7mm Rem Mag for anything longer and bigger.

The 150 grain E-Tips out of the 7 Mag shoot lights out. The 150 grain in the .308 is proving to be very finicky. Unfortunately in California the years of lead core hunting bullets are behind us. Here's a video of the E-Tips spraying all over the place. 4 MOA groups would not be an exageration. The Bergers shoot right at 1 MOA.

 

[LoneTraveler]

I have always had better groups in my REM 78 308 Win. with lighter bullets in the 125 to 130 Gr. weight. I am considering going to 168 Gr. E-Tip in my 300 WSM, It likes 180 gr. bullets. The 168 E-Tip Length is .130 longer than a 180 Gr Nosler Part. I have 150 Gr. Barnes SST they are .002 longer than the 180 Gr. Nosler Part. Copper or gilding metal being lighter than lead and the air chamber for expansion make the bullet long for weight. Good Luck in finding a bullet Your Gun and California will be happy with.

 

[davkrat]

Thanks. I wish someone would make a VLD or Accubond with a copper/tin core like the varmint bullets. I've been trying to get some 130 gran Barnes to try but can't find any in stock. I've killed a couple deer with the 150 Etips out to 300 yards and the performance has been fantastic. The inconsistent accuracy is making me crazy though. They're not cheap to practice with either. Like I said I might just get a 20" barrel and leave it as my pig gun.

 

[Outlaw6.0]

LoneTraveler, Barnes doesn't make an SST, that's Hornady. Were you thinking TSX or TTSX?


OP. How much have you adjusted your seating depth? A 10" twist will stabilize anything you can put in your 308, it won't hurt any solids, I promise you that. I have a LOT of experience with Barnes but zero with the E-Tip. The 150's are a great combo for the 308, it'll hammer any hog you put it on.
When was the last time you gave your bore a long thorough cleaning?

Just providing my .002 from an outside the box perspective.


t

 

[davkrat]

I cleaned it extremely well recently for just that reason. Hasn't helped. I'm going to drop the powder charge and play with seating depth. After 30 shots my bore is pretty badly copper fouled.

 

[Deleted member 46119]

Your 10 twist is fine.

I did not like E-Tips and went to TTSX.

Go fast.

Try Reloader 17.

Shoot slow.

 

[LoneTraveler]

I was wrong the Barnes Bullets are 150 gr TTSX Boat Tail. It is to far between my reloading and my computer.

 

[Outlaw6.0]

I was wrong the Barnes Bullets are 150 gr TTSX Boat Tail. It is to far between my reloading and my computer.

Just poking you in the Ribs brother I've fired MANY of the 150tsx from my 300 short mag.... most accurate bullet i've ever fired from it.


t