195 Berger Twist

[Cackas2]

I have a custom 28 Nosler throated for the 195 Bergers and it is struggling to shoot less the 0.75 moa which is just not acceptable when my factory Rugers in the 0.5 range. It has a 8.44 twist proof and that was recommended. I know optimal is 1-8 but pushing these at 3150 fps i didnt think the twist would be an issue. I'v tried RL 33, Retumbo, US 869, and RL 50. I have some 180 VLD's loaded up to shoot and see if there any better but to reach the lands its not fully seated in the neck. Any ideas before I rebarrel to a 1-8? lightbulb

 

[Corey Schwanz]

I quickly ran your numbers through our twist rate calculator (Twist Rate Stability Calculator | Berger Bullets ) and didn't see any major concerns. 3150 seems a bit fast for that bullet, and compared to our load data is about 200fps faster than anything we have. Might be worth trying them backed down a hair to see how they do. Also, what distance are you shooting at right now? If its 100yd, I would try a couple of your better loads at longer range if you have the access. We have a lot of shooters who claim better MOA accuracy at 200-300+ vs 100 yards. Feel free to give us a call or send us an email to [email protected] if you want a copy of our data.

 

[Cackas2]

Thanks Corey,
I already have the load data from you guys. I was getting pressure signs at 83gr and lower my guess is the long throat? As soon as I got to 84 grs all was fine until I hit pressure again at 88.5 with RL 33. The accuracy node was between 86-87 and 3100-3150 fps. I have shot them at 700-1065 with little success on steel and the conditions were favorable as I was hitting repeatedly with my 308 at those distances. The extreme spreads are also very low in the 5-10fps range but the accuracy just isnt there. I have tried anywhere between .010 - .090 off the lands but .020 seemed to be the most accurate.

 

[new shooter]

How about a bad barrel. It does happen. Take it to a gun smith have him look in the bore with a scope.

 

[Jakeleg]

For what it worth I have been shooting them in my 7mm practical,and only getting around 3000 fps in my 1-8 twist but they really shine the farther I took them but they shot some 1/2 minute groups at 100 too. But at 950 its not hard to shoot sub 1/2 groups.

 

[IAHNTR]

I'm running them in a 28 nosler at 3144 with 88.6 rl33 (work up!) and shot a 0.055" group at 100 with it. My twist is 1:8.5 Brux at 28" and I'm at 900' ASL. So, I would think the 1:8.4 should be enough twist going those speeds.

 

[Cackas2]

I ran mine up to 88gr of RL 33 and the accuracy node was between 86-87 similar to yours running 3156. I shot some 180 Bergers and not one group was over 3/4 at 100, best was .338 center to center. I'm thinking it must be a twist issue at least with this barrel. I'm probably going to run the 180's until it's shot out and switch to a 1-8 rather than keep chasing the 195's. Thanks for the reply guys

 

[Lefty7mmstw]

I have a 8" twist Shilen Select match in 7stw (27" bbl.) and the thing hit pressure just before 3,000 fps with rl33.... the wheels also fell off the 195/rl33 combo when the temp fell below freezing. I need to work on this rifle more -- to much work, not enough play-- but 7828 at just over 2900 fps seems to work well.

The rifle loves rl25/ 140 nos ab so I really have not tried too hard with other combo's.
I am, however, working on a load with 175 eld-x bullets for a good second best if the 195 berger pills fail.

 

[Jakeleg]

Hey Lefty, that's what I ran into in the my 7mm-300 with this combo, I am getting to much pressure with R33 and the 195s with 3050 or so fps.But that's ok cause a my 950 and 440 yd targets this combo is a laser beam.Also seems to shoot really well at 100yds,I've yet to shoot at 200 yds for groups. I am really impressed with this bullet at longer ranges, it seems to shoot frequent three shot groups in the 3-4 inch range at my 950 yd plate. Shot just as good at 1114 yds,just haven't got any more distance here at the house.