Badlands Precision Bullets thread - From BC to terminal ballistics

[Northkill]

Monos tend to not ruin meat the way a lead core bullet does. Even though they may shed petals, they aren't explosive the way lead cores can be. I wouldn't worry about it. If you are, just stay off the shoulder inside 300 yards or so and you should be fine

Yep, you're good.

 

[SheepShapeAK]

At what velocity does the Bulldozer start to lose petals? I've got a BD-2 load that is around 3450fps and another at 3290fps. I've not used them on any critters yet, but just drew a Wyoming cow elk tag and would like to know at what range I could expect fragmentation. I had a jacketed bullet explode at 100 yards on an elk last year and didn't appreciate how much meat loss there was. I was hoping to achieve something with the BD-2 that was more similar to the results that Cody shared earlier on in this thread.

My 338 Norma hunting loads are right at 2750. I had full penetration on a moose at 950 yards. The bullet even hit bone on the way out. That was with the 275 grain BDII.

 

[SheepShapeAK]

At what velocity does the Bulldozer start to lose petals? I've got a BD-2 load that is around 3450fps and another at 3290fps. I've not used them on any critters yet, but just drew a Wyoming cow elk tag and would like to know at what range I could expect fragmentation. I had a jacketed bullet explode at 100 yards on an elk last year and didn't appreciate how much meat loss there was. I was hoping to achieve something with the BD-2 that was more similar to the results that Cody shared earlier on in this thread.

Oh, also forgot to mention that I had no issues with fragmentation in close as well. Killed two caribou on the same trip inside of 150 yards and didn't ruin much meat at all.

First picture is the exit wound from the moose.

 

[jjrgr21]

Has anyone tried the 308/150 from a factory Tikka 1/11?

 

[MTbackwoods]

Has anyone tried the 308/150 from a factory Tikka 1/11?

No but I sure would if I had a 308. That's the minimum twist rate for that bullet so it'll be stable. And I'd bet 2900-3000 fps wouldn't be difficult and that bullet would be bad medicine out to 600 yards and maybe a little more depending on size of game

 

[jjrgr21]

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. The Barnes 150 is ok, but more is better, but the BP is pretty long, and figured it would be marginally stable in a 1/11

 

[SheepShapeAK]

Well, my 375 EnABELR cases arrived today. Going to test the 365 and 390 BDII's in it, once it's finally built.

That is a 275 grain 338 Norma next to the EnABELR case for comparison.

 

[codyadams]

Well, my 375 EnABELR cases arrived today. Going to test the 365 and 390 BDII's in it, once it's finally built.

That is a 275 grain 338 Norma next to the EnABELR case for comparison.

View attachment 368691

'Merica.

 

[Reemty J]

Sheepshape keep us in the loop, very interesting sir!

 

[VLD Pilot]

My current collection of Badlands Precision bullets, from left to right:

View attachment 251824

.224 70gr Super Bulldozer-2 . . . Will shoot these in a 7.5 twist Brux barrel - 22 Creedmoor.
.284 145gr Bulldozer-1 . . . . . . . Have shot these with good accuracy from 9 and 9.5 twist barrels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7mmRM and 280 Improved.
.308 196.5gr Bulldozer-1 . . . . . . Have shot these with good accuracy from a 9.4 twist CFW barrel - 30 SM.
.308 205gr Super Bulldozer-2 . . Will shoot these in a 8.5 twist Bartlein CFW barrel - 30 SM.
.338 275gr Bulldozer-1 . . . . . . . .Have shot these with good accuracy from a 10 twist 338 Rogue.
.338 275gr Super Bulldozer-2 . . Will shoot these in a 8.5 twist Bartlein CFW barrel - 338 Rogue.

The latest SBD-2 bullets have a single forward relief cut in their bearing surfaces. This will be nicer for seating bullets farther out in the case necks.
The original BD bullets had two relief cups/cuts in their bearing surfaces. Easily visible in the above photo.

So you have any data or info on the 205 Super BD stabilizing in 9 twist barrels ? Hate to purchase without knowing.

 

[Pdvdh]

So you have any data or info on the 205 Super BD stabilizing in 9 twist barrels ? Hate to purchase without knowing.

Not in 9-twist. I currently have no 9-twist .308 barrels in use.

I've shot the bullet in an 8.5 twist only. During barrel break in, and attempting load development.

Truth be told, I purchased two Bartlein CFW barrels and neither one has performed for me so far. I shot the 205gr Badlands with H1000 and N570. My best groups were a little less than 1moa. And in the ~2,975 -3,000fps with N570 & H1000.. I was able to shoot them up to 3,125fps with N570, and 3,050fps with H1000. But no precision up there. I had some wild ES with N570. So then tried H1000. More MV with N570 for sure.

I don't necessarily fault these bullets, because I also shot some 215gr Burgers and 225gr ELDs in the 8.5 twist. They didn't shoot any better from this 8.5 twist Bartlein.

I lost interest fighting both of my CFW Bartleins and moved on to shooting some other rifles. Some further effort and testing is certainly appropriate before relegating both barrels into fire forming duty.

 

[Wedgy]

I lost interest fighting both of my CFW Bartleins and moved on to shooting some other rifles. Some further effort and testing is certainly appropriate before relegating both barrels into fire forming duty.

I think @codyadams had some pretty dramatic changes from adjusting the seating depth if you haven't played with that already.

 

[Pdvdh]

I think Cody had some pretty dramatic changes from adjusting the seating depth if you haven't played with that already.

Thanks. A little more time, material, and effort is certainly warranted.

I just find it's hard to fight it too much, with other rifles/barrels shooting well right from the get-go.

 

[VLD Pilot]

Not in 9-twist. I currently have no 9-twist .308 barrels in use.

I've shot the bullet in an 8.5 twist only. During barrel break in, and attempting load development.

Truth be told, I purchased two Bartlein CFW barrels and neither one has performed for me so far. I shot the 205gr Badlands with H1000 and N570. My best groups were a little less than 1moa. And in the ~2,975 -3,000fps with N570 & H1000.. I was able to shoot them up to 3,125fps with N570, and 3,050fps with H1000. But no precision up there. I had some wild ES with N570. So then tried H1000. More MV with N570 for sure.

I don't necessarily fault these bullets, because I also shot some 215gr Burgers and 225gr ELDs in the 8.5 twist. They didn't shoot any better from this 8.5 twist Bartlein.

I lost interest fighting both of my CFW Bartleins and moved on to shooting some other rifles. Some further effort and testing is certainly appropriate before relegating both barrels into fire forming duty.

I have a 30 SM with an X Caliber CFW barrel in 9 twist. Just wondered if the 205s could be stable in that 9 twist ? They say 8.5 minimum