Mystic Precision
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Summerland, BC
Having shot a number of the brands and bullets in question, I'll throw in my 2 cents.
Nosler is essentially a MK clone. Didn't shoot that many of them but what I shot was fine. Availability is not always that great but they can be had for a decent price. Don't know what their QC is like as I have not shot them for a number of years.
Amax is by far the least expensive bullet that will shoot very well in a number of barrels. In general, the QC is great. Recently, their lot to lot variance has been really good but have varied in the past. Also, those tips have been known to be installed wonky yet still make it out the door. Hornady customer support has been really good to me. Not the bullet I would choose for guilt edge accuracy/consistency but for LR plinking, my number one choice IF they make a suitable bullet.
Lapua is a super consistent product box after box. Seems to shoot best just off the lands. LR accuracy and vertical dispersion is small. I have shot ALOT of 6.5's in my Mystic F class rifles and you just open the box and start loading.
Berger is also in this level of consistency WHEN they don't change to a new bullet die. however, they usually let the major shooting boards know when they retire a die. Excellent accuracy and consistency within the lot, and lot variance (same bullet die) is very small. Again, you just open the box and go have fun. Their secant ogive shape allows for the higher BC compared to comparable tangent ogive bullets. I consider high BC very important in a LR match bullet.
I have shot my smallest groups with Bergers and Lapua
MK's have an enormous following, the lowest BC usually, and the worse QC. They are known for mixing bullet dies into the same lot. Sig variations in shape and weight have plagued different cals and lots over the years. Their customer support is usually really good but what a pain.
They single handedly created the match bullet sorting tools some use. Measuring ogives, trimming meplates, weighing bullets and sorting into different lots is not my idea of a true match bullet.
Can they shoot well? of course. Am I willing to risk dropping a point due to an errantly made slug? Not in your life. Their pricing is also right in there with the Lapua's and Bergers. When you account for the bullets culled (some lots zero, others as much as 1/3), things get real expensive in a hurry.
Plus it does not instill in me any confidence when I have to sort the bullets. Did I sort them well enough? What about an error I can't see or measure? Then there is all that time I would rather be doing something else with.
For competition, I use Lapua and Bergers. yes, these can cost more but that is the cost of higher potential scores. Their increased BC will also pay dividends when the winds do blow.
For LR plinking, I will also add some Amax as they fly really well way out there. They are also the only bullet that consistently goes subsonic yet retains accuracy. That is important at 1 mile.
For bullet weights, 155 or 155.5gr for sure. Little point in dealing with more recoil and lower ballistics unless your barrel really likes the heavier slugs.
Jerry
PS I can offer any of the bullets above.
Nosler is essentially a MK clone. Didn't shoot that many of them but what I shot was fine. Availability is not always that great but they can be had for a decent price. Don't know what their QC is like as I have not shot them for a number of years.
Amax is by far the least expensive bullet that will shoot very well in a number of barrels. In general, the QC is great. Recently, their lot to lot variance has been really good but have varied in the past. Also, those tips have been known to be installed wonky yet still make it out the door. Hornady customer support has been really good to me. Not the bullet I would choose for guilt edge accuracy/consistency but for LR plinking, my number one choice IF they make a suitable bullet.
Lapua is a super consistent product box after box. Seems to shoot best just off the lands. LR accuracy and vertical dispersion is small. I have shot ALOT of 6.5's in my Mystic F class rifles and you just open the box and start loading.
Berger is also in this level of consistency WHEN they don't change to a new bullet die. however, they usually let the major shooting boards know when they retire a die. Excellent accuracy and consistency within the lot, and lot variance (same bullet die) is very small. Again, you just open the box and go have fun. Their secant ogive shape allows for the higher BC compared to comparable tangent ogive bullets. I consider high BC very important in a LR match bullet.
I have shot my smallest groups with Bergers and Lapua
MK's have an enormous following, the lowest BC usually, and the worse QC. They are known for mixing bullet dies into the same lot. Sig variations in shape and weight have plagued different cals and lots over the years. Their customer support is usually really good but what a pain.
They single handedly created the match bullet sorting tools some use. Measuring ogives, trimming meplates, weighing bullets and sorting into different lots is not my idea of a true match bullet.
Can they shoot well? of course. Am I willing to risk dropping a point due to an errantly made slug? Not in your life. Their pricing is also right in there with the Lapua's and Bergers. When you account for the bullets culled (some lots zero, others as much as 1/3), things get real expensive in a hurry.
Plus it does not instill in me any confidence when I have to sort the bullets. Did I sort them well enough? What about an error I can't see or measure? Then there is all that time I would rather be doing something else with.
For competition, I use Lapua and Bergers. yes, these can cost more but that is the cost of higher potential scores. Their increased BC will also pay dividends when the winds do blow.
For LR plinking, I will also add some Amax as they fly really well way out there. They are also the only bullet that consistently goes subsonic yet retains accuracy. That is important at 1 mile.
For bullet weights, 155 or 155.5gr for sure. Little point in dealing with more recoil and lower ballistics unless your barrel really likes the heavier slugs.
Jerry
PS I can offer any of the bullets above.
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