107 or 123 for CPT in 260 Rem?

[Jason]

I'm about to buy bullets for the upcoming year's highpower season and I'm torn between the 107/108gr bullets and the 120-123 grain bullets for CPT. Specifically, I'm considering the Sierra 107 MK moly, the Lapua 108 silver scenar, Sierra 120 MK moly, and the Lapua 123 silver scenar. For the lightweight bullets, the obvious benefit seem to be less recoil and higher velocity, with the cost of lower ballistic coefficient and possibly slightly faster barrel wear. For the heavier bullets, the benefits seem to be better ballistic coefficient and possibly slightly slower barrel wear, but those come with lower velocity and more recoil. I'm not recoil sensitive and the lower velocity partially makes up for the velocity since recoil energy varies as the square of the velocity, so I'm not sure the recoil really matters. The difference in ballistic coeffecient from the Sierra 107MK at .430 to the Lapua 123 at .547 (lowest to highest in the group) is pretty significant, though. That could mean a fair bit of wind drift at turkeys, and I am not good at calling the wind. Any opinions?

[Bob259]

Jason, I've been told the 123's fly better in the wind, but that said I have a lot of 107's that seem to be good in our area, unlike say BA in Phoenix which has a lot of cross winds. I got 1K of the Lapua 123's to try out though.

[bwilliams]

I shoot the 120 sierra @ CPT, however 123 are a better BC & more $$$. Laupa bullets are great but lots of $$$. I and most6.5 shooters switch to a 140-143 for rams. Heard that Mrs Peters shoots a 95g @ cp not sure about turks.
brett

[lone ringer]

Jason, for what is worth any of the bullets you mentioned are better than the 120 Sierra which in my opinion are good for chickens and pigs but not for turkeys on windy days. If I was shooting in WA I would use the 107-108 for the first three distances but in CA, AZ, NM and TX where I shoot I like to use the 123 Lapua bullets since we have to deal with heavy winds more so than not. You could also consider using the 130 Norma that can be had for less than the others, Keith Cairns uses them on Rams.

[RBriscoe]

I agree with Tony. Either the 123 Lapua or Sierra should work well. I have shot a fair number of 108s and they are pleasant to shoot, but I believe it moves around enough in the wind that I feel 123s are preferable in the wind, especially at the turkey line. The extra momentum is useful when dealing with stubborn pigs. I used to shoot the Norma 130 at rams (a good bit faster than the Washington shooters) and it was quite remarkable but was troublesome when loaded ro Rem. SA mag length.

I am presently shooting the last of a stash of 120s I had forgotten about simply because I have them, but Tony is right about them being a short line bullet.

It would be very interesting if Sierra would make a 130 in their new hybrid design. Hint! Hint!

I do not know how the current production 144 Scenar is for rams. Tony?

The bottom line is if you only want to have two different loads and you expect to shoot in the wind, try something heavier than the 107/108.


Rick

[Jerry G]

Symplify your life and shoot 140s or 142s for all animals.

[Jason]

I might end up with three different loads like I did for centerfire cowboy. For that, I have chicken, pig/turkey, and ram loads. It's not that hard to keep track of. It's written in big letters on top of the ammo boxes.

[Jim Beckley]

I would definetly go with the 123's if you shoot in any kind of wind, like Tony already stated. I have shot the Sierras and the Lapuas and can tell no difference between the two at C,P,T. Most of the shooters here are using 139 Lapuas on the Rams, they seem to have a harder jacket than the Sierra 142's. Just my two cents. Another thing with the 123's if you happen to bring the wrong ammo to the ram line, (like McAlice at Missouri, and like myself on Sunday) the 123's might work alittle better than 107's.

[Bob Mc Alice]

Beckley, you get ten rams Sunday and win 1st place with the wrong ammo? Please explain.

http://www.phoenix-silhouette.org/Month ... jan30.html

[Jim Beckley]

Quite simply-6.5mm.

[RBriscoe]

Jim! Jim! Jim! I've never brought the wrong ammo to the line. Yea, right.

Congrats on the fine shooting.

Do the 123s shoot about a minute high of the 139s with your load?

Cheers,

Rick

[Jim Beckley]

Rick, That day I shot my first five with 123's, they went alittle slow but they were on call, my second five were all over, Rose Jr, said that I got two of them in the front leg. I guess it was just ment to be. It's the only thing I can think of.

[RBriscoe]

That's called 'using all of the target'. It's there for a reason.

[Bob259]

Quite simply-6.5mm.

JB.. When will the Guru learn....

Long live the 6.5

[Jerry G]

Bob will never learn to put that 7 away and shoot a good round.