Rifle Liking Different Bullet Weights More than Others?

[Paul7]

I have a 1968 Sako Finnbear .30-'06 that seems to like 150 gr. and 180 gr. bullets, but 165 gr. not so much, can't seem to get accurate or consistent groups. Even to the point of shooting different 165 gr. bullets to different places. Anyone else see this in their rifles?

If this is just a rifle fact of life I guess I need to stick to the 150s and 180s.

Photo is the rifle with an Oryx taken here in NM last Sunday.

 

[Tommygunn]

It happens.150 and 180 grains might resonate well with your particular rifle, 165s might not. Find an identical rifle .... maybe it likes 150s and 165s ,but 180s ..... .... not so much. Fickle barrels. Not "pickle," FICKLE. Like some ladies.

 

[Robert]

My AR likes 55 and 69 grain bullets, absolutely loves 77gr bullets and hates 62gr bullets.

 

[Paul7]

Thanks for the responses. I got lucky with the Oryx, or maybe it was divine intervention. I had decided to use 165s due to a bit more flat shooting than the 180s, and 150s being considered light on Oryx. Had issues at the range the day before with 165s shooting high left, but thought I had the issue straightened out. What was supposed to be a shoulder shot turned out to be a neck shot, which dropped it instantly. Will stick to 150s and 180s from now on.

 

[horsey300]

Thanks for the responses. I got lucky with the Oryx, or maybe it was divine intervention. I had decided to use 165s due to a bit more flat shooting than the 180s, and 150s being considered light on Oryx. Had issues at the range the day before with 165s shooting high left, but thought I had the issue straightened out. What was supposed to be a shoulder shot turned out to be a neck shot, which dropped it instantly. Will stick to 150s and 180s from now on.

Which 165s have you tried? 150s? 180s?

 

[Paul7]

Which 165s have you tried? 150s? 180s?

Federal for all three weights, Remington Core-Lokt for 180s. The 150s especially shoot well no matter the brand, see photo.

 

[FL-NC]

This is normal. I have a Ruger American that wants nothing to do with 175 grain match grade ammo, but it loves 168's.

 

[horsey300]

I agree with others that this is not uncommon but I'd throw in trying some 165 flat bases, like the Hornady sst before completely writing them off.

 

[Dibbs]

Yeah, I find my favorite rifles prefer the 180s. They just group better.

 

[Captcurt]

It happens a lot. I have a friend with a FN Mauser in 30-06 that shoots 180gr better than anything else. We have played with different bullet weights and different powders but 180's is it's preferred fodder. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

 

[94045]

In order of importance.

1. Will it function
2. Will it hit it.
3. Will it penetrate.
4. Will it expand.

If a 165 fails at #2 so are off the list.
If a 150 fails at #3 it's off the list.
If a 180 fails at #4 it's off the list.
If nothing but 180's pass the first three and no 180's pass number four you still shoot 180's because 1-3 are a higher priority than 4.

I see this all the time with pistols where people want to use hollow points that don't function well in their pistol or have adequate penetration. They have their priorities all screwed up.

 

[someguy2800]

They all have there preference but it’s often just the specific bullet.

 

[jmr40]

In my experience some rifles shoot better with certain bullets regardless of weight. It might just be that you've not tried the 165 gr bullet your rifle likes. Some rifles can be picky, others seem to shoot anything you load in them. But it isn't really a problem unless you need to shoot certain bullets to perform a specific task. If you're gun shoots a good 180 gr bullet well there isn't any reason to shoot 165's.