Changing Bullet weights, input please

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Barnard308

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Hey Guys
I have always used 165 SST Hornady bullets for hunting in my 308's and 30-06, I have been happy with the results from these bullets with the right amount of powder behind them, always worked up a load using N150 Vihtor. powder. Well recently I picked up one of the Ruger RPR in 308 and went to work doing up some different loads using the 165 SST again. But I cannot for the life of me find a load I am happy with using this combination, N150, Lapua Brass virgin, CCI BR2 primers and the 165 SST. I know that fire formed brass is better but I should still have gotten a decent grouping or two from the virgin brass.

In talking to a few other of the RPR owners they are all using 175-178 gr bullets and getting good results from these heavier bullets. Would it be the shorter 20" barrel compared to 24" and 26" on my other rifles likes the heavier weighted bullet? I know its probably a simple answer and I am just over thinking this but I was always told that the 1-10 twist barrel was best with the 165 +/- bullets.

If it is the case of it just simply liking heavier bullets what would you recommend out of the following 178 Amax Hornady, 175 Sierra Match King, 175 Scenar Lapua, 175 Barnes LRX BT. I do a lot of target shooting out to 400-500 meters (want to go farther) but also plan on using this RPR for hunting this year so I would be looking at something good for both.
 
The factor that we overlooked about bullet stabilization is the fact that the relation is not bullet weight vs rate of twist but bullet Bearing Surface to rate of twist .

In general a heavier the bullet will be longer and should have a bigger bearing surface . so the weight itself can be a good indicator but not all the time !!!!!
 
Did you try it with 155's and 46gr of N150 and see if it would group those?
Maybe its got another issue somewhere.
 
B308, If you are talking accuracy I doubt you will notice any real difference other than your bullets will be going slightly slower because they are 6% heavier. There may be a bit of sectional density difference as well but I honestly doubt the heavier bullets will be more accurate. The SSTs are pretty aerodynamic and accuracy with them has always been exceptional in any firearm I use them in, including 308Win and 30-06 Springfield.

If you want to do a comparison for your own purposes go ahead and have fun.

There is one thing you can almost always count on though and that is no two rifles are the same or like the same bullet/powder/primer/case combination. There will be minor variations in the chambers/bore diameter/harmonics, throat depth and more. Your new Ruger might do just fine with the components you have but likely they will need to be experimented with to find the best recipe for the new rifle.

Then you will run into the bugaboo of different lots of the components, unless you purchase in bulk. Every different lot has a different POI and that includes any new variation in components. They may be acceptable for hunting but not for match shooting.
 
Thanks for the input guys, just to update you all I loaded up some 167 Scenars over N150 powder and got some awesome groups at 200 meters with 44.9 and 45 grains of powder. I cant post pictures but they measured.501 x .719 and .760 x .626 from edge to edge horizontal to Vertical. I am pretty happy with this combo and group sizes.
 
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