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Quick question: When the Vhitavuori loading manual states a Sierra 140 gn HPBT bullet...does it mean the Matchking #1740 ?

Many thanks in advance :cheers:

...and the other HPBT 140-grn bullet that Sierra makes would be?

The 1730 maybe? That is 140 grains as well.

saddler wrote:...and the other HPBT 140-grn bullet that Sierra makes would be?

Alright...Sarcy! :P

I'm having a few problems getting my loads right for my Swedish Mauser - I have more questions (and pics of cases from the last few tests...still tumbling the last lot..), when I have all the evidence - but I wanted to make sure I wasn't making some error with the bullet...the Vhit manual shows big differences in load for the same powder but with a different bullet...e.g: there is 3.5 gn difference between the starting load for a 140 Scenar, and a 140 SMK; so I was making the assumption that the length of bearing surface is quite significant for this load...so wanted to make sure I wasn't using the wrong bullet (there is a 140 gn 'Gameking' you know...)

Anyway, one thing's for sure - the one bullet that will never be going down my baby...is one of your bleeding tracers! :lol:

ovenpaa wrote:The 1730 maybe? That is 140 grains as well.

The 1730 is a SP bullet

ovenpaa wrote:The 1730 maybe? That is 140 grains as well.

I think that's the 'Gameking', and I'm sure it's not that (balistic tip) - The 'sarcy one' is probably right...but I wanted to make sure....

Dougan wrote:

saddler wrote:...and the other HPBT 140-grn bullet that Sierra makes would be?

Alright...Sarcy! :P

I'm having a few problems getting my loads right for my Swedish Mauser - I have more questions (and pics of cases from the last few tests...still tumbling the last lot..), when I have all the evidence - but I wanted to make sure I wasn't making some error with the bullet...the Vhit manual shows big differences in load for the same powder but with a different bullet...e.g: there is 3.5 gn difference between the starting load for a 140 Scenar, and a 140 SMK; so I was making the assumption that the length of bearing surface is quite significant for this load...so wanted to make sure I wasn't using the wrong bullet (there is a 140 gn 'Gameking' you know...)

Anyway, one thing's for sure - the one bullet that will never be going down my baby...is one of your bleeding tracers! :lol:

Ignore him Dougan, he is a foreigner

Have you tried the 142SMK? They seem to go well in the 6,5 and I shoot the 139 Scenar which is rather nice. I have QL if you want to email me your OAL and barrel length I can look at a few test loads for you.

ovenpaa wrote:Have you tried the 142SMK? They seem to go well in the 6,5 and I shoot the 139 Scenar which is rather nice. I have QL if you want to email me your OAL and barrel length I can look at a few test loads for you.

Thanks mate, but I'm going to put all the info (several tests, and several problems, some of which I just can't figure) on one post, when I've got all the photos...so probably not until the weekend...

...I'll include OAL and barrel length...and would then very much appreciate your opinion

Dougan wrote:

saddler wrote:...and the other HPBT 140-grn bullet that Sierra makes would be?

Alright...Sarcy! :P

I'm having a few problems getting my loads right for my Swedish Mauser - I have more questions (and pics of cases from the last few tests...still tumbling the last lot..), when I have all the evidence - but I wanted to make sure I wasn't making some error with the bullet...the Vhit manual shows big differences in load for the same powder but with a different bullet...e.g: there is 3.5 gn difference between the starting load for a 140 Scenar, and a 140 SMK; so I was making the assumption that the length of bearing surface is quite significant for this load...so wanted to make sure I wasn't using the wrong bullet (there is a 140 gn 'Gameking' you know...)

Anyway, one thing's for sure - the one bullet that will never be going down my baby...is one of your bleeding tracers! :lol:

What is the difference in MV for the two 140gr bullets with a difference of 3.5gn powder?
Viht & Lapua are the same company - it may also be a subliminal marketing ploy...though it may also be a mix of surface bearing area AND jacket thickness/material type

Are you seating just off the grooves?

saddler wrote:What is the difference in MV for the two 140gr bullets with a difference of 3.5gn powder?

The MV (starting load) for a 139 scenar is 33.5 gn of N150, giving 2208 fps - for a 140 Sierra HPBT is 36.3 (just less than 3 gn diff), giving 2306 fps.

As I've just said to Ovenpaa; I'd like to give all the info (including burst primers, ejector marks and some work done on the bolt) in one go, in a logical and non-rambling way (so not after a long day at work...)...so that I can draw on the excellent experience available here to solve the problem...

Edit: Oh, and you can be as sarcy as you like...I did laugh