New Rifle Build- Bullet and Caliber- Mono metal- Thoughts?

[Macintosh]

I’m using 2800 fps as the basement for impact velocity. But I am only going off of advice from other forum threads. I have not been able to find any real testing data or any velocities published by DRT.

2800 is muzzle velocity for plenty of cartridges. That seems unrealistically high for an impact velocity. Typo?

 

[JFK]

The has to be one of the most over thought threads I’ve ever seen.

Monos: 3000fps (or more) muzzle velocity, adequate twist, impact velocity of 2000-2200fps. Done.

If you want heavy for caliber, shoot lead, or shoot a wildcat capable of some very fast muzzle velocities.

If shooting sub 400 yards, likely the best option in terms of terminal performance is a light for caliber bullet. Penetration isn’t an issue. I’ve seen 110gr ttsx from a 270 tip over two pigs with one shot. Exited the second animal. Both died where they stood.

Maybe the DRT’s are great. They won’t ship to Ca, the largest lead free market in the world, so I’ll never know. Barnes probably accounts for about 1000x more animals killed every year than DRT. I mostly shoot Barnes LRX now. They work. Hammer hunters work, McGuires work and have much better BC’s.

But again, it’s not that complicated.

 

[Macintosh]

Well, where’ve you been then, hmmm? We could have saved all this hand wringing if you’d just told us back on page 1!

 

[SDHNTR]

The has to be one of the most over thought threads I’ve ever seen.

Monos: 3000fps (or more) muzzle velocity, adequate twist, impact velocity of 2000-2200fps. Done.

If you want heavy for caliber, shoot lead, or shoot a wildcat capable of some very fast muzzle velocities.

If shooting sub 400 yards, likely the best option in terms of terminal performance is a light for caliber bullet. Penetration isn’t an issue. I’ve seen 110gr ttsx from a 270 tip over two pigs with one shot. Exited the second animal. Both died where they stood.

Maybe the DRT’s are great. They won’t ship to Ca, the largest lead free market in the world, so I’ll never know. Barnes probably accounts for about 1000x more animals killed every year than DRT. I mostly shoot Barnes LRX now. They work. Hammer hunters work, McGuires work and have much better BC’s.

But again, it’s not that complicated.

Out of pure curiosity, I looked up DRT bullets. Wow, one of the most amateurish websites I’ve ever seen. Limited product offerings, lacking valuable how and why information and incredibly hard to navigate. Then to top it off, they won’t ship to the largest lead free bullet market in the world. They may make great bullets, but I prefer to buy from companies that actually try to stay in business.

 

[SDHNTR]

I’m using 2800 fps as the basement for impact velocity. But I am only going off of advice from other forum threads. I have not been able to find any real testing data or any velocities published by DRT.

You want 2800 impact velocity? You have officially over analysed yourself to the point of insanity my friend.

 

[SDHNTR]

Before I finalize barrel order I’d love advice on barrel details. I’ve only used proof carbon for builds up to this point so I’m a newb when it comes to all of these options:

1-Twist rate— keeping in mind I’m looking to build the most accurate 6cm system for 600 yard max, mono metals (which means lighter than the rockslide standard) 95-100 grain bullets. I’m thinking a 1:8 twist is best choice. When I plug the numbers into Bergers twist rate calculator this seems to work.. am I missing anything important?

Profile- I will be using a light suppressor for hunting (banish bc) and am trying to build a 8.5 pound gun (with scope and suppressor.) the helpful folks at x-caliber say the barrel needs .750 minimum dia.to thread the 5/8x24 and suggest number 20 Sendero profile. (3.75 pound estimate for 18” barrel.) I am wondering if there are ways to get a lighter thinner profile while still maintaining the required contact area and dia for threading 5/8x24? I remember seeing someone on Rokslide say they use some kind of adapter that makes the end of a skinny barrel accept the suppressor. ??

3- 6 groove, 3 groove or 3r groove ??

Thanks

Order a steel 7.5 twist Bartlein #3. You’ll have plenty of meat at 18”. No need for adapters. No need for carbon.

 

[Mattyq17]

@Formidilosus what are your opinions if any on the McGuire 93 grain 6mm? My father-in-law shot his California muley and bull elk with the 168 grain 30 cal with impressive results, granted both shots were under 200 yards. Just suggesting another possible non lead option for the OP.

 

[DagOtto]

2800 is muzzle velocity for plenty of cartridges. That seems unrealistically high for an impact velocity. Typo?

Duh- sorry - yes, typo
Meant to say 1800 fps

 

[DagOtto]

You want 2800 impact velocity? You have officially over analysed yourself to the point of insanity my friend.

Sorry- meant to say 1800

But possibly insane as well!

 

[MatukaJoe]

I’m using 2800 fps as the basement for impact velocity. But I am only going off of advice from other forum threads. I have not been able to find any real testing data or any velocities published by DRT.

When I called them and asked for my PRC and the 147 grains what would be Full expansion at velocity minimums not just some expansion... They stated 1800-2000 feet per second would get the job done.
I haven't had a chance to test that for example in a water trap which I'd love to do but in general I try to stay at 2,000 ft/sec and above for really any projectile.

 

[MatukaJoe]

Well, where’ve you been then, hmmm? We could have saved all this hand wringing if you’d just told us back on page 1!

Macintosh politely saying don't let the door hit you on the way out

 

[DagOtto]

When I called them and asked for my PRC and the 147 grains what would be Full expansion at velocity minimums not just some expansion... They stated 1800-2000 feet per second would get the job done.
I haven't had a chance to test that for example in a water trap which I'd love to do but in general I try to stay at 2,000/sec and above for really any projectile.

I found the following in an old article on-line,
"Another option is the DRT bullet, which literally turns to dust upon entry.

“.....Son Dustin Worrell has a basketball star’s physique and a baseball player’s resume. He told me DRTs date to the 1990s at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, where Harold Beal explored frangible metal cores in .45 ACP bullets. In 2005 John and Dustin developed machinery to fashion bullets using Beal’s patents under license. DRTs’ compressed-metal cores are mostly copper and tin. “We use tungsten too,” said Dustin. “In Texas, we killed 11 nilgaiwith 79-grain .223 tungsten bullets.” Nilgai rank in size with yearling elk, but they’re stockier. And tough. I’ve seen them absorb chest hits from .300 magnums and gallop off!Dustin added that .30-bore DRTs had taken brown bears. “No exits. Just grenade-like upset. We’ve found our sintered bullets more consistently lethal than ordinary softpoints.”

Fur-Friendly Bullets | Grand View Outdoors

Killing is your missile’s first job. Saving the pelt comes next.

www.grandviewoutdoors.com

I find this notable because the inventor Harold F. Beal worked on this bullet design while at the world's largest research lab. I have a sneaky feeling that he has some good FBI gel data! Also, Beal still holds the many patents for this bullet and DRT is manufacturing under contract with him. It appears that they have about 60 employees (over half the size of Barnes for example,) and are making a lot of military/police rounds. It seems that they are very busy with that line of work and that the hunting line isn't a primary revenue driver or focus..

I can't wait to harvest animals and autopsy with this bullet!

 

[Fireflyfishing]

Keep the 30-06 and shoot 130 or 150 Barnes TTSX. Or try some hammers.

 

[Shraggs]

One of things I've found most interesting in comparing the content and opinions from Form and Barsness is how much their "old school" and "new school" opinions alignt. In one of Barsness's chapters in he Gun Gack books he literally says that recoil negatively affects almost everyone's accuracy level to the point that smaller calibers are probably a more affective and humane killer of animals. Between the two of them I think there is probably more in agreement than not. I found his stuff to be mostly rooted in fact much more than most.

Had the opportunity years ago to speak at length with John, and completely agree with this assessment they are both very pragmatic and data driven

 

[wyosam]

I think 7-08 does what you’re looking for well. I like the 7-08ai, more for brass life and less trimming than anything. I’m currently shooting the 132 HHT at 3010, keeps it north of 2k to 500. I bought those for a 280ai that I’ve since gotten rid of (was going to use the same bullet in both for simplicity), when I run out I’ll probably go lighter and rev them up a little more.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Formidilosus]

@Formidilosus what are your opinions if any on the McGuire 93 grain 6mm? My father-in-law shot his California muley and bull elk with the 168 grain 30 cal with impressive results, granted both shots were under 200 yards. Just suggesting another possible non lead option for the OP.

I have not used that bullet. Several I know have not been pleased with Mcguire’s however.

 

[6mm Remington]

No

Not to hi jack the thread, but other than slightly less recoil I’m trying to determine how much, if any advantage there is to building a 6-06 vs spinning a fast twist 25-06 barrel on.

Hammer load data shows 3200 fps for a 120 HHT in a 25-06.

Honestly do not know if there is any advantage. The 25-06 is a fantastic cartridge also. I just have always thought a 6mm-06 or a 6.5-06 would be the cats meow. As you can tell by my site name, the 6mm Remington is one of my favorite cartridges out there.

 

[SMC_GUIDE]

I have not used that bullet. Several I know have not been pleased with Mcguire’s however.

 

[z987k]

When I called them and asked for my PRC and the 147 grains what would be Full expansion at velocity minimums not just some expansion... They stated 1800-2000 feet per second would get the job done.
I haven't had a chance to test that for example in a water trap which I'd love to do but in general I try to stay at 2,000 ft/sec and above for really any projectile.

I've got some emails back an forth with them from a bit over a year ago where Dustin recommends 1500fps minimum impact velocity. Nothing I have shoots these slow enough to get anywhere near that within my maximum range, so I've not remotely tested that.

Because of the rather bad BC of the 243 bullet, I feel if DRT's are the intended use, the 6.5CM with the 135 is better than the 6cm with the 95. Lots less wind drift.

 

[DisplacedHusky]

I was in essentially the same boat as you. I just posted an update of my choice and build at the end of this thread.

Dilemma: Semi custom Tikka build on budget vs. 7PRC factory rifle. UPDATED: Decision Made and Build Complete

Yes, but can't tell. A rep for a major retailer that carries most rifle brands (including Tikka) mentioned it to me. We were talking about good value accurate long distance shooting rifles don't require a second mortgage to purchase. I've pretty much boiled down my 7PRC choice to the X-Bolt...

rokslide.com

I made the decisions on my build about a year ago. During the past year I have also soaked up a bunch of knowledge on Rokslide and listed to the EXO and S2H podcasts. Maybe I would have made a different decision if I were doing it today, but I am very happy with my rifle.

If you want a 6.5 PRC, you could just trade your bold for a magnum one here on Rokslide. I would have saved myself a little if I would have done that.

Good luck. Enjoy the process.