Ok guys, I need to pick some brains. I'm wanting to build a load to go after hogs at extreme distance (500 plus yards). I'm shooting a savage 10 fp, and I'm experienced reloading handgun ammo, but this will be my first foray into rifle ammo. So, my question is what bullets do you have experience with at long distances. Obviously I could load something like the Sierra Match King or Berger VLD, but I'm wanting something with jacket material thicker than tinfoil (that won't break the bank ) I know, lots of questions...

Barnes MRX. High BC's in all weights, 150s, 165,s and 180's You don't have to worry about a jacket because there is none. Not cheap, but effective for what you want. Very accurate with good terminal performance.

I have looked at those, but I just can't afford to pay that much, considering that I'll probably be putting in 20 shots from the bench for every 1 in the field. 30/100 is my max because at that level I could go with the VLD's or a Sierra Gameking. I would love to run across a case of those MRX's buried though...

168gr TTSX

KC: IMO the terminal performance (and expense) of premium bullets, like the TSX are only necessary when impact velocity is high. For shots @ 500+ yards, impact velocities are obviously not going to be high.

Therefore, I'd say what you are looking for is accuracy and high ballistic coefficient. My recommendation would be a 180gr Boat Tail by Sierra,or Speer. The 180gr nosler Ballistic Tip would also be a good choice but is a little more expensive.

These bullets are all typically very accurate, and all have high BC's will will minimize drop and wind drift at extreme ranges.

Bullets are the cheap part of hunting who cares if they are a dollar a piece money well spent!

Yeah but at a buck apiece practice gets mighty expensive, and like I said, I figure on sending at least 20 practice shots downrange for every one shot in the field. I shoot a LOT, and if there is something out there that will do for 30 cents what something else does for a buck, why not use it?

fine for paper I am looking for performance on the animal and it just don't get any better than TSX. Just my .02, I will burn alot myself, To me the bullets are the cheap part.

Any of the bullets mentioned above, or the Hornady Interbond, decent BC, and not overly pricey. They're what I use for my Elk loads. Have yet to have one meet an Elk, but any hog that has meet one has nothing good to say about them.


Jay

I would recomend NBT's. They are known for beeing very accurate, always have shot extremely well in my experience, they have hight BC, and perform very well at the reduced speeds of long range shots. Also they will not break the bank either.

matt

Just curious, wich 30 cal are you using, 308, '06, or a 300 something mag? Not saying one is better than the other, just curious.

matt

JMHO, but a whichever standard cup & core or mebbe a bonded c&c from Speer, Hornady, Sierra shoots best in your rifle. I shop the on line Nosler Blem Store too and sometimes can "steal a deal" on AccuBond's or Partitions. I favor "heavy for caliber" on game critters...and you'll see why if see my comments in the "Bullet Selection thread from today too.
I'd also try some Remmy Corelokts or WW PSP's to see if they will shoot for you at those ranges, especially in a heavy for caliber bullet. If so, then I'd be watching the Bulk Bullet Sales on Midway or Graf and be willing to scoop up a BIG PILE of loose bullets at a really rightous price on their annual deal.
Any bullet that will do the job at hand is a GREAT bullet at under $25 shipped a hunnert count....and I bought 500 name brand 30 cal 180's at a big time cheaper than that price earlier this year and may not live long enough to shoot them all at the rate I'm falling apart LOL! So look for my old widow woman to have a killer fire sale when I'm gone as I really am a pack rat of the First Kind
Ron

I am shooting a .308. I've decided on Sierra Matchkings for starters, and I'll test anything I can get my hands on. On the advice of a competitive long range shooter whose brain I mercilessly picked at my brother's wedding, I plan on starting with 175's. I'll probably also work up a load with 180 SST's for hunting as well. thanks for the input.

I shoot a remington 300RUM, I prefer a nosler 180 accubond for thicher skinned game. It does not come apart at the volicity my gun shoots them (3550). On white tail a nosler ballistic tip will suffice but when you shoot a hog with volicities above 2900 fps the bullet will just spat and come apart on impact. I shoot the 160 gr accubond in my 7 mag also. The bullet preformance at close range is ok but at 150 yards or more on whitetail, it is less than desirable because it is too hard and tends to stay together and acts like ball ammo and tends not to mushroom without the volicity less you get a good shoulder shot and hit solid bone . Just my experience, some others might be different. I normally hunt Muleys with the 300 and white tail with the 7mag,. Both my guns are very accurate with the nosler products.

What is your rate of twist? Is this a bull barrel, medium barrel, or thin barrel?

At 500+ yards you need a round that is going to exit outside of the harmonic range of the barrel. Especially if you are running a thin barrel.

I would start with 44 grains of Varget behind a 168 grain SMK. That is a pretty accurate load, and tends to tighten up between the 43 - 44 grain area depending on the gun.

The 168 grain will run fine in 1:12 - 1:11 barrels, the 175 grain bullet tends to prefer the 1:11 or tighter.

10FP is the law enforcement 308 Win with 1:10 twist.
168gr and 175gr would be a good place to start.

The new bonded bullets from various manufacturers are very accurate and excellent hunting bullets. If you want the extra security, the Hornady SST has a cannelure to crimp the jacket and core together on top of the bonding. It might be the only bonded bullet on market with cannelure.

I tend to use Nosler(Ballistic Tip, Partition) and Hornady(V-Max, SST, Interlock) bullets, but if you like expensive things, a Swift Scirroco or A-Frame is nice.

Thanks for all the input guys. I'm still participating in the discussion in a scholarly aspect since my .308 somehow melted down and turned into an AR (at least that's what I told the wife). However, the guy in the office next to me just bought a 700 in .308 and wants me to help him get started loading, so keep the suggestions coming. I think we are going to start out with a 168 SMK on top of 43 grains of Varget and work our way up. The rifle really liked a box of old Remington match loads we found at a pawn shop (168 SMK's over whatever powder they decided to scrape up off the floor that day)