240 WBY 105g HPBTs

[remingtonman_25_06]

Going to pick up some Hornady 105g HPBTs to try from the 24" barreled 10" twist 240 WBY vanguard. Anyone have any experience with the 105s in a 240 WBY? I have most of the H4831 and slower powders on hand. Thinking maybe RL26 would be a good one for velocity. Any ideas on where to start and what velocity should be like? Thanks.

 

[Andrew Massi]

26 will give great velocity but they still wont stabilize properly.
Drop down to 95 berger and 3400ish

 

[Quintus]

True, the 105s will wobble.

 

[remingtonman_25_06]

Seen a few reports of them stabilizing in a 10" twist so I'll give them a shot anyway. Emailed Hornady and they also said they recommend a 9" twist, but have also heard guys that have got them to shoot in 10" twists also. Worst I can do is try, and if they dont shoot I'm only out $25...Trade them off for something else. Picked up a box earlier this evening, so I'll load a few at 54-55g to see if they make round holes. If they do, then I'll do a ladder from 53-56 and see how it goes. Thanks.

 

[remingtonman_25_06]

So I loaded 4 of the 105g HPBTs up at 54g RL26 .010" off the lands and shot them this morning at 300 yards just to see if they'd stabilize. 1st CB shot was 3316fps, no pressure signs. Went and checked the target, and a perfect round hole. Good deal! Got back to the bench and fired a 3 shot group that measured right at 3" or MOA. Those 3 shots were 3316, 3308, 3292, so 3300fps average, no pressure signs. Definitely worth playing with the 105s. Will be doing a ladder from 53-56g of RL26 at .010" off to start. I also have H4831, H1000, Retumbo, RL17, RL22, and IMR7828 I can try if RL26 doesnt give me what I'm after. If I find a node/charge it likes with RL26, I'll play with seating depth a bit. I always start .005"-.010" off the lands with my loads, that way theres only 1 way to go and that's deeper. If I can get them shooting consistently around 1/2-3/4 MOA I'll go with it. Will get me to 1K easily. A lot better than the 87g vmaxs at 3400fps I've been shooting.

 

[Slick8]

I was running 115 bergers at 3100 from a 26 inch with H1k and 3150 with 105s. Not a stiff load but very accurate.

Should be close with the 24 inch but on the low end of marginal stability per the berger chart if you're running a VLD bullet. I realize that's only a guideline but is something to consider. If you have troubles with the 105, you may try the 95 if running a vld.

 

[remingtonman_25_06]

These are the Hornady 105g BTHP with a BC of .530...I didnt want to chance it with the Bergers since they recommend an 8 twist, I doubt my 10 twist will stabilize them at all...And honestly, I'm not a Berger fan anyway haha. I like Hornadys, they're cheap and accurate for me, plus they still kill stuff when you put the bullet where it needs to go. These bullets are only $25/100 locally. Bergers are twice that, and they're hardly twice the bullet IMO...This is a coyote rifle, so accuracy trumps velocity. I'm an accuracy guy 1st before speed these days anyway. Older you get, you realize an extra 100fps doesnt mean squat, and is harder on your brass anyway...I should be able to find something that will do consistent 1.5-2" groups at 300 yards, for a factory vanguard, that's probably as well as it's going to do anyway. But at least it will reach 1K easily. The 87g vmaxs at 3400fps I've been shooting fall on their face past 600 yards...Give me a little play time at 1K with the 105s anyway, then when the barrel shoots out, it will be getting a 28" Bartlein 8 twist. Then she'll be singing real good

 

[fishonnw]

I have been shooting the 105 bthp's in a 6 creedmor. Mine like being .030 OL. I understand I'm going slower 3060 FPS, and a 8 twist. The 108 eldm wanted to be closer about .020 OL.

 

[Canhunter35]

Ur gonna want a 7.5twist for the next wave of 125gr 6mm bullets that will come out lol. I use 95vld and 95ballistic tips in my 240wby, h4831 at 3225fps, should've probably tried to reach the higher node but made the load years ago and haven't shot the rifle for awhile

 

[remingtonman_25_06]

I'm sure glad a buddy of mine told me to try the Hornady 105g BTHPs He said he had good luck with them in a 10" twist 243 so it was worth a shot...I completely forgot about them, I think it's because they arent a real sexy bullet. But the BC is basically the same as the 108g ELDM. At 3300fps it's still pretty impressive. Still has 1000# energy at 800 yards and traveling 2000fps. More than enough for coyotes/antelope/deer. I'll have to play with the depth after I find the charge it likes. I always start my development at .010" off, that way I know the only way is deeper if they dont shoot to my satisfaction. I usually just try for consistent 1/2 MOA, but if its only 3/4 I can still live with that. I think it has potential to do 1/2 MOA with some load development and tinkering though. To do MOA with the 1st load thrown together out of the gate tells me there is definitely room for improvement. I'll keep ya posted...Be doing a 300 yard ladder on sunday with RL26 from 53-56g at .010" off. And it basically mirrors my 7-300 Win Mag with the 180g ELDMs at 3000fps out to 1K ballistically, elevation wise anyway, not windage...

 

[8x68s]

Listening in on this conversation... I have a commercial Mauser action that I'm going to re-barrel and chamber to 240 WBY, as soon as PacNor barrels gets up and running again. I'm thinking a light profile, 24" barrel to create a lightweight/mountain hunter. A 7" twist ought to cover everything up to 115 gr. Bergers and the like...

 

[jvr]

Just talked with Hornady about these 8/7/20. They said 1-10 twist. I have had great results with them to 1000 yards in 243. 1-8 twist.

 

[Canhunter35]

I'm sure glad a buddy of mine told me to try the Hornady 105g BTHPs He said he had good luck with them in a 10" twist 243 so it was worth a shot...I completely forgot about them, I think it's because they arent a real sexy bullet. But the BC is basically the same as the 108g ELDM. At 3300fps it's still pretty impressive. Still has 1000# energy at 800 yards and traveling 2000fps. More than enough for coyotes/antelope/deer. I'll have to play with the depth after I find the charge it likes. I always start my development at .010" off, that way I know the only way is deeper if they dont shoot to my satisfaction. I usually just try for consistent 1/2 MOA, but if its only 3/4 I can still live with that. I think it has potential to do 1/2 MOA with some load development and tinkering though. To do MOA with the 1st load thrown together out of the gate tells me there is definitely room for improvement. I'll keep ya posted...Be doing a 300 yard ladder on sunday with RL26 from 53-56g at .010" off. And it basically mirrors my 7-300 Win Mag with the 180g ELDMs at 3000fps out to 1K ballistically, elevation wise anyway, not windage...
View attachment 207423View attachment 207424

Gonna grab some of them now, I like finding slippery bullets that'll run in slower twist rifles

 

[remingtonman_25_06]

I emailed them just a few days ago and they said they recomend a 9 twist, but I've read a lot of guys having luck with them in 10 twist 243s, so I figured it was worth the $25 to find out. The one thing I was concerned about was my elevation, since I'm only at 650 ASL, but I think they're going to be just fine honestly. Once I get a load dialed in at 300, I'll take them out to 1K and see how they hold up.