Berger 70g BC=.369 vs. Sierra 69g BC=.305???

Has anyone done a comparison between these two bullet in their Savage? I've been using the Sierras, at least that is what Buffalo Bore stuffs in their match ammo. I have been trying to match the velocities(I chrony'd them at almost 3100 fps), but to no avail, at least not with the powders I have(varget and 4064). I got sub 1/2 MOA groups out of my factory FCP-k with that stuff and I am trying to duplicate it. I haven't even reached book max on the powder loads and am already crunching the varget and getting cratered primers, stretched brass, bigger groups, and no more than 2750fps.
I know that velocity is not the end all, be all to accuracy, but it means a great deal when you are trying to reach out to 600 yards in a target competition in high winds! So with that in mind, it seems that the BC from the sierra to the berger is a pretty big jump for just one more grain of weight. I am wondering if I can sacrifice a little velocity for the higher BC, while still maintaining accuracy at those distances.
So, what are your thoughts on the comparo?

The Berger 70 VLD has a better BC than the 77g Sierra round (MK262) used in the military. I opted for the 70g Berger. Currently using a full case of IMR4895 with the Berger. It can reach to 600 easily and at 7000', where I am at, 1000 is a go. I used the usual Varget loads but they did not do well with the 70 Berger in the 26" Savage barrel. Neither did H4895. IMR4895 did the trick.

Have you pulled a bullet on a Buffalo Bore ammo to see what they are using?

If this is a 223, (work UP to this load please), 25.0 gr of H4895 propels the 69 gr Sierra or Nosler HPBT at 3K out of 1:9 twist Savage barrels.

Not yet. I shot all I had but I may buy another box and do just that. I did measure the COAL at a short 2.242.

The difference in MV will be made up for probably inside the first 100yds or less by the improvement in BC and there may not even be a difference of note in MV. The 77gn SMK was designed to be loaded to magazine length of the AR which limits the shape of the bullet to a more blunt profile which means higher form drag. The Berger is a VLD design and is long for weight making for a very good BC.

Just ran some numbers through a ballistic program and assuming a 3k MV for the 69gn and 50fps slower (probably on the conservative side) for the 70gn, the difference in drop at 600yds assuming a 100yd zero is right at 10." The Berger has a higher velocity already at 100yds as I guessed.

BTW if you can get the Berger to 2950fps, it will still be supersonic at 1k yds.

I've got my .308 for 1k. The .223 will be for no more than 600 yards. I am already struggling to get even 2800fps with the 69g SMKs without massive pressure signs. That's why I'm thinking of taking advantage of the higher BC of the Berger's and keeping the velocity down.
I do have a pound of benchmark to try, but I don't think its gonna help with the velocity struggles.

Have you tried Accurate 2230? I was reading about it the other day in Handloader, and it produced good velocities if I remember correctly (don't have the article here to check). It's also a ball powder, so it will meter well.

Obviously there are some differences in rifles that will cause pressure signs earlier, but the Lyman manual lists 2230 and Bl-C(2) loads over 3k for the 69gn SMK and 748, H335 and RX15 in the 2990 range.

I have the Lyman manual. Ill look into the 2230. What is bl-c(2)?

Oops, double post...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bodywerks

I have the Lyman manual. Ill look into the 2230. What is bl-c(2)?

---

BL-C(2) is a Hodgy powder. A spherical powder similar to 748, but not exactly the same. Also similar in very general burn 'rate' to 4895.

Hi guys,
I'm fairly new here and only been reloading for about 6 months, but I thought I'd share my experiences with the 69g MK's in my 12VLP.
I've had very good results with 23.4g of H-322 with a COAL of 2.325" mostly using Fed GM205M primers, but results seem about the same with the standard 205's. The gun will easily avg. sub 1/2MOA if I do my job with many groups in the .3's and some in the .2's. I am still learning the whole "benchrest" thing, but I've been having a good time so far.
Oh yeah, avg. velocity is 3100 with that load. (26" barrel)
Blaine