Lapua Scenars

[SRMohawk]

Anyone use Lapua Scenars with exceptional results? The reason I ask is because even after using them for years and getting really consistent performance out of them, shooting friends and acquaintances of mine insist that I would be doing markedly better with Sierra Matchkings and/or Berger VLD Match HPBTs.

Admittedly, the very best 5-round groups I've ever shot (sub-0.2 MOA) have been with the Sierra MKs and Berger VLDBTs, whereas I don't think I've ever shot a 5 round group with Scenars that measured less than 0.3 MOA. Nevertheless, my forte lies in shooting the best 20-round groups I can at 600 and 1000 yards from a prone position (not F-class really, because I use only a Harris bipod and AccuShot monopod). And this is where the Scenars have really eclipsed everything else. A little over a year ago I was able to put 20 consecutive shots at a range of 615 yards into a space that measured a little less than 4 inches with 185-gr Scenars from a .300 WSM! No other projectile has ever yielded such phenomenal results for me. Still, my shooting peers persist in making arguments such as; "When are you gonna learn that Lapua is **** comparaed to Sierra, Berger, or even Hornady?"

These are the loads I've been using for years now:

a) 6.5 x 284 Norma - Lapua brass, 53.0 grains VV N165, Federal 210M
primer, Lapua 139-gr Scenar

b) .300 WSM - Norma brass, 61.5 grains VV N550, Federal 215M primer,
Lapua 185-gr Scenar

c) .338 Lapua Magnum - Lapua brass, 89.0-grains VV N560, Federal 215M
primer, Lapua 250-gr Scenar

All of these loads have blown every Sierra, Berger, Hornady, Swift (Scirocco), and Nosler load with which I've ever experimented off the face of the earth at 600 yards and out!

So what am I doing wrong that prevents me from realizing the potential of these projectiles that are blowing away Lapua Scenars in everyone elses rifles?!?!?

 

[esheato]

Data is great...special loads in specific guns is wonderful...

THE PROOF IS ON THE PAPER.

Shoot what works best for you, your gun and your desired results.

Ed

 

[SRMohawk]

BTW, I not only weigh my projectiles, but I measure them for uniformity! And let me tell you, gents, I've found as much as 0.006" variation in batches of Sierra MKs and Berger VLDBTs in both 180-190 grain class .30 cal. and 250-gr class .338 cal. But I've never measured more than 0.002" variation in batches of Lapua 185-gr .30 cal or 250-gr .338 cal Scenars!!!

 

[rangerruck]

see if these guys here can help.
http://www.6mmbr.com/index.html

 

[Dave P]

Mohawk - maybe its time to get new buddies!

I have had some great results with the 167 scenars in the m14, but being it has iron sights, I can't see any significant improvemnet over the sierras (175) that I normally shoot at 600 yrds. I always keep some handy for comparison, tho.

I think you may be seeing that the consistancy of the scenars is much better than sierra. So while an individual grp of sierras might be fantastic, if you average you groups you may see the scenars come out ahead.

Stick with what works for you!
DAve

 

[USSR]

SRMohawk,

Weighing bullets is pretty much a waste of time. It's the ogive-to-base consistency that is important, and as you've noted, this is where Lapua shines.

Don

 

[Gewehr98]

Sierra MatchKings are often recommended because of their price.

The lesser consistency of the Sierra bullets, compared to the Lapua Scenars, is offset by the economy of the domestic MatchKings. Folks who practice a lot go through a lot of bullets, so for them perhaps the better performance of the Lapua Scenar isn't worth the extra cost.

Myself, I've gotten some outstanding groups with the 123gr Lapua Scenar and my 6.5-06. As a matter of fact, I just gave away my last box of 6.5mm 120gr Sierra MatchKings.

I also just received a box of 170gr Lapua D46 rebated boattail bullets in .308". I expect they will shoot just as good, if not better than, the Sierra 155gr Palma and 168gr HPBTM MatchKings I've been running in my M14NM and 700PSS. They certainly look better, if that's any indication.

 

[SRMohawk]

Gewehr,
Man, that's exciting news (about the performance of the 6.5mm 123-gr Scenars)! I've had a mind to try those out in my 6.5x284 Norma for some time. Of course, they won't perform at ranges beyond 700 yards like their 139-gr big brothers, but they should be even better at ranges under 700 yards by virtue of the significant increase in velocity. As a matter of fact, I really want to try them out for the purposes of developing a varmint and/or whitetail load.

I've been thinking of having my riflesmith build me a light mountain rifle in .260 Remington and using this particular projectile exclusively . . . if, that is, it yields accuracy comparable to the 139-gr Scenars in a well-built 6.5x284 Norma.

Interesting what you say about the Sierra MKs being more popular in part by virtue of their cost. I never really thought of it that way being a man who pretty much spends what he has to in order to get the best and/or most consistent accuracy. There certainly is alot evidence to support that hypothesis around here as well. I mean, you should see some of the rifles fielded by all the jokers who give me a hard time for shooting "those damn Scandanavian products".

As for my own sticks, I should take some digital images and post 'em at this forum. You'd all be forming at the mouths! Hell, I getta woodie every time I take one out of it's Kalispel case!

Regards,
SRM

 

[USSR]

I also just received a box of 170gr Lapua D46 rebated boattail bullets in .308". I expect they will shoot just as good, if not better than, the Sierra 155gr Palma and 168gr HPBTM MatchKings I've been running in my M14NM and 700PSS. They certainly look better, if that's any indication.

Gewehr98,

Great bullet. Shoot it exclusively in my .308 FN SPR. My load is as follows, which should shoot fine in your 700, but I would back off a grain in your M14NM:

Lake City Match brass
Lapua 170gr D46 bullet
WLR primer
42.5gr pulldown IMR4895 powder
2.845" OAL
2785fps

BTW, the D46 actually measures .309 in diameter, although there is no problem shooting them in .308 bores.

Don

 

[Gewehr98]

Don, I'll have to try that.

I'll back off a grain or so, because I use (ahem) Lapua 7.62x51 headstamp brass, which I horse-traded into several years ago for 500 pieces. It's as thick as, if not thicker than, Lake City milspec, so I usually wind up loading 41.5gr of IMR4895 behind a 168-170gr bullet, with Federal 210 Match primers.

SRMohawk, I've never even tried the 139gr 6.5mm Scenars in my 6.5-06, for some reason once that chronograph displayed 3200+ fps on the 123gr loads, I never went for heavier, and stayed with the lighter bullet, calculating my range tables out to 1000 and keeping my 1-9" twist Krieger intact. I've managed to put 5 shots into 8" at 1000 yards so far as my best effort with the 123gr Scenar bullets. Not much of a record, and the gun's illegal for F-Class (Vais muzzle brake), but it's one of my personal bests.

I've also got a fresh box of 120gr Lost River Ballistics J36 bullets, but until I leave Florida for my native Wisconsin soon, I'll save them. (No 1000-yard ranges here)