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168 grain Black Hill match for better accuarcy than 175 grain BH match

5K views 12 replies 7 participants last post by  82nd ABN 
#1 · (Edited)
#2 ·
The 175 grain bullet is more accurate at ranges longer than 300 yards. Before there were 175 grain match bullets a lot of people shot 180 grain match bullets for targets past 300 yards and it makes a difference. 180 grain (especially 180gr match) bullets don't always stabilize in 1 in 12 rifling twist rate which is the international standard for 308. The 175 grain bullets were developed for 308 Winchester and to stabilize in the international standard 1 in 12 rifling. The 180 grain bullets have no trouble in 1 in 10 rifling more common in America.

I don't buy Black Hills because I handload but a friend uses it and says in his rifle the BH 175gr load is more accurate at all ranges than the BH 168gr load. He wanted to duplicate the BH loads with handloads and we did. He had about the same results with the handloads. In my rifle at the shorter ranges there's little difference out to 300 yards but beyond that the 175 grain bullets do better than the 168 grain bullets.
 
#3 ·
That makes me feel better, I just ordered 2000 rounds of the BH 175 be match. Black hills sent 500 rounds to start and will be sending the rest in July. I have been using the BH 168 match and heard the 175 would be better at long range like you said. I have a kreiger 1/10 twist heavy match barrel and can't wait to see how the new stuff performs. Also ordered 500 rounds of 06 for the garand it also has a 1/10 twist kreiger. I plan on getting into reloading over next winter, right now I am in the discocery stage reading what I can when I get the time. Again thanks! I just wonder why sai recomends the 168 I would imagine it is due to the twist rate of the majority of the rifles
 
#5 · (Edited)
82nd,

The answers you have so far are good. But, I'll add my own experience and observations.

First, to bore you a little, I shoot mostly 300 and 600 yard combination matches.

To be competitive I have to be able to be consistent to 3 inches at 300 yards and 6 inches at 600 yards.

I use a Savage 10FP-LE with a Nightforce Benchmark 8-32x56 scope. The Black Hills does not do as well in my rifle as the Federal Gold Metal Match ammo.

So, what's been said before, "it somewhat depends on your rifle." Also, it depends on what kind of consistency and shot group you're looking to acheive.

The point, in my case, is the 168 gr. works great at 300 yards...but, loses a little accuracy at 600 yards. But, it depends on the range conditions from event to event also.

I am considering trying some Federal Gold Medal Match 175 gr. myself for 600 yards. But, I really don't think it will make that much difference in my aggregate scores.

Keep in mind a lot of Palma shooters use the .308 caliber which islimited to 155 gr. bullets. And, they're shooting out to 1000 yards. Of course they're also loading their own...and, usually have very specialized rifles.

Just thought I'd give you my "nickels" worth. Good luck with your shooting.

.
 
#6 ·
FYI, 41gr Accurate 2520 powder and a 168gr Match bullet is equivalent the the Black Hills Match load. BHA is very good quality ammuniton. Its very hard to put the 168gr stuff down, its sub MOA quality ammunition just like Federal Gold Medal and I find that its more consistent then Federal has been.
 
#7 ·
I started using the 175SMK in 1998 for the 600yd Line and as far as I am concerned it beats the 168 Hands Down, I think it is the Best Bullet ever made for shooting in the Wind!
I consider BH Ammo every bit as Good or Better than FGMM and it is cheaper( when You can find it)!
 
#9 ·
USASA that is some good info, I want to take the rifle upstate NY this summer and stretch its legs so to speak. I have a 8.5x25 50 Leupold Mk 4 ER/T its like having a spotting scope at 200 yards. Not so sure I am ready for competition need to put together a few more items and I am doing two more M25 builds right now. I have everything except the stocks and they will be here in mid June. I also want to get a reloading machine in the future in order to start reloading.
 
#11 ·
Trung Si I am somewhat fortunate that my father has his Fll so I order it direct from BH. A bit of a story behind that though. I ordered 1000 rounds in February and they said it would be shipped in mid April. I was OK with that. I called back a couple of days later to order 500 rounds of the match 06 for the garand and I asked if the 308 order was still on track for April and I almost fell off my seat when she said it won't be until November. I called them again today and was told it might be August. Oh on the second call I increased the order from 500 rounds of 308 to 1500. At the end of the summer I am going to order for next year. Live and learn. In the interim I found a case of 500 from Midway. I paid 200 dollars over wholesale. I would like to try the Federal but they do not offer dealer discounts. Compared to what some shoot 2000 rounds does not sound like much. It is enough to keep me busy between rounds of golf and fishing on the Long Island Sound. Have to spread things out. I am looking forward to shooting the 175gr. I still have about 100 rounds of 168 left from last year and plan on writing down the details of the difference.

PS Thanks you all for your replies. I am so glad I belong to this community.
 
#12 ·
82ndABN! I don't want anyone to think that I don't like 168s,I love that Bullet and I've shot thousands of them but I found that the 175s are far superior at Long Ranges, they are the Best Windbucker I have ever seen but I would not feed them to my Rifles as a steady Diet, only from 600yds on out!
PS I like BH Match Ammo, All of my Rifles like it, my two 1in10s and my 1in12!
 
#13 ·
Trung SI I understand what you are saying. I have not ventured far away from using BH match ammo all the time. Who am I kidding I only have 180 rounds of anything down range in my super match. I ordered the 175 as opposed to the 168 for the reason that I would like the option to know I have the ammo for a longer range than the 168. Either way its the same price. If I was to buy surplus I would buy the nato match. From what I see it is hard to find and cost the same as new BH match ammo. This is my reasoning to get the 175 in quantity. I plan on getting into reloading by the fall so I will have pleanty of brass to keep me busy.
 
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