Badlands Precision Bullets thread - From BC to terminal ballistics

[Bghunter338]

I started working with the SBD2 (275) in my .338 Lapua. I need to shoot them at distance, but anxious to try them on an animal.

My 338 Lapua Magnum by Cloud Peak Gunworks

This post has been better than any reality TV show out there. You guys are some mad scientists....lol I wish I lived in an area that I could try some long range shooting. I’m in the mountains of VA and even our biggest crop fields might allow a 400-500 yd shot. Seriously, very good stuff...

www.longrangehunting.com

Keep us posted please, I have the same bullet for my 338 AM that Im going to be using.

 

[BuckeyeRifleman]

Just put an order in last week… What has been the typical turn around time for bullet orders?

 

[Monkeygoat]

^Got mine within a week

 

[BuckeyeRifleman]

Got my bullets…

Got to 3100 fps with the 140 gr BD2’s in the 7 SAUM with 59.0 of H4350. But the accuracy sucked.

The 150’s were a different story however, only got to 2900 fps but the SD and accuracy were outstanding. 55.5gr of H4350 .030 off the lands. I would’ve liked to get another 50-75 FPS but I was getting some slight ejector marks with ADG brass, plus with the accuracy that good, why mess with it.

First shot was the called flyer to the left thanks to my dog barking as the shot broke. Normally don’t call flyers but I knew I pulled it… Next five shots went into a .29 MOA group!

SD and ES was great too.

That said the 140s definitely win on paper due to the extra velocity. Might mess with some seating depth to see if I can get them to shoot.

 

[Gstew1930]

Got my bullets…

Got to 3100 fps with the 140 gr BD2’s in the 7 SAUM with 59.0 of H4350. But the accuracy sucked.

The 150’s were a different story however, only got to 2900 fps but the SD and accuracy were outstanding. 55.5gr of H4350 .030 off the lands. I would’ve liked to get another 50-75 FPS but I was getting some slight ejector marks with ADG brass, plus with the accuracy that good, why mess with it. View attachment 339597
First shot was the called flyer to the left thanks to my dog barking as the shot broke. Normally don’t call flyers but I knew I pulled it… Next five shots went into a .29 MOA group!

View attachment 339598
SD and ES was great too.

That said the 140s definitely win on paper due to the extra velocity. Might mess with some seating depth to see if I can get them to shoot.

What’s your barrel length? I got great velocity & SD with N560 & the 150’s

 

[codyadams]

What’s your barrel length? I got great velocity & SD with N560 & the 150’s

I believe he said 22" a couple pages ago, I was interested too so I searched back through the thread ha ha

 

[Gstew1930]

I believe he said 22" a couple pages ago, I was interested too so I searched back through the thread ha ha

Lol I’m sure I’ve already asked too , my memory is terrible. I’m adding some free bore to my 7ss to seat the 150’s a little longer. I was able to get 2950 last weekend with Staball. I ran into pressure shortly after. 20” barre

 

[Mike from Texas]

Cody what has been your experience with twist rate on these bullets? What I mean is, I’m looking at the 6.5/135 SBD for a 6.5SAUM. The 135 recommends 7 twist. I’m anticipating velocity around 3150 and at 7 twist that has bullet RPM around 324k. I also want the flexibility to shoot some Berger cup/core bullets. Berger recommended to keep RPM below 300k.
I don’t want to pigeon hole myself into only shooting monos.

I ran calculations on JBM using my baro pressure at 59° Using a 7.5 twist and it comes up with stability value of 1.484. have you had any experience using these bullets with slower than advertised twist?

I’m trying to decide it I want to risk going with a 7 twist and taking a chance on the cup/core bullets vs going 7.5 twist and potentially being marginally unstable with the Badlands.

 

[Monkeygoat]

^Look back in the thread a couple of pages - I have a 28" 7.5 twist Bartlein. 135's into 1 hole @ 15 off, out of a SAUM improved case. I've since taken them out to 1K without issue. I also have loads for the 153.5 Berger and 145 Match burner, so it is a dual use barrel.

 

[codyadams]

Cody what has been your experience with twist rate on these bullets? What I mean is, I’m looking at the 6.5/135 SBD for a 6.5SAUM. The 135 recommends 7 twist. I’m anticipating velocity around 3150 and at 7 twist that has bullet RPM around 324k. I also want the flexibility to shoot some Berger cup/core bullets. Berger recommended to keep RPM below 300k.
I don’t want to pigeon hole myself into only shooting monos.

I ran calculations on JBM using my baro pressure at 59° Using a 7.5 twist and it comes up with stability value of 1.484. have you had any experience using these bullets with slower than advertised twist?

I’m trying to decide it I want to risk going with a 7 twist and taking a chance on the cup/core bullets vs going 7.5 twist and potentially being marginally unstable with the Badlands.

I haven't tested those, but I usually go by manufacturer spec. What would be the rpm's from a 7 twist with the velocity from a 156 Berger? I am running a 156 @ 3080 from a 7.5 twist .264 and it has been fine, not sure how much another half in of twist would affect it, good or bad?

 

[Mike from Texas]

^Look back in the thread a couple of pages - I have a 28" 7.5 twist Bartlein. 135's into 1 hole @ 15 off, out of a SAUM improved case. I've since taken them out to 1K without issue. I also have loads for the 153.5 Berger and 145 Match burner, so it is a dual use barrel.

We need to talk more. I’ll send you a PM.

 

[Mike from Texas]

I haven't tested those, but I usually go by manufacturer spec. What would be the rpm's from a 7 twist with the velocity from a 156 Berger? I am running a 156 @ 3080 from a 7.5 twist .264 and it has been fine, not sure how much another half in of twist would affect it, good or bad?

I want to say the 156 was going to be about 3000fps.

3150x720/7 = 324k
3150x720/7.5 = 302.4k

3000x720/7 = 308.5k
3000x720/7.5 = 288k

I’m leaning toward the 7.5 only because it would allow me a much larger selection of bullets to choose from overall between mono & cup/core. Plus a 7.5 twist barrel is easier/quicker to find in 6.5mm, at least in carbon anyway.

 

[BuckeyeRifleman]

What’s your barrel length? I got great velocity & SD with N560 & the 150’s

22” @Gstew1930 what velocity are you getting with N560? Barrel length? I might mess around quick load and see if I can push it a grain or two more… 55.5 gr H4350 was the max load listed by Barnes for their 150gr bullets so I stopped there, but I’m sure that’s with bullets loaded to SAAMI OAL. Pressure was there with light ejector marks but it wasn’t severe, primers weren’t even really flattening.

 

[BuckeyeRifleman]

Also forgot to mention, labradar data came up with a G7 BC of .257 for the 140 gr bullets and .274 for the 150s.

Obviously not as high as advertised but that’s typical I’ve found. It spit out a G7 BC of .200 for 143gr Hammer Hunters, which was verified out to 1k.