.311 vs .312 174gr Bullets

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   I have always been a big fan of Sierra MatchKings so when I started loading my No 4 I went with Sierra’s .311 174gr.
Now I see that Hornady makes a .312 174gr.

Has anyone compared the two?  A rough test of my No 4 barrel shows it has about 1/2 to 3/4 of its life left.  Would the larger bullet be a better fit for older rifles?

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105GunGrunt Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: February 08 2020 Location: California Status: Offline Points: 23	Post Options Post Reply Quote 105GunGrunt Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: .311 vs .312 174gr Bullets Posted: February 15 2020 at 12:38pm
	I have always been a big fan of Sierra MatchKings so when I started loading my No 4 I went with Sierra’s .311 174gr. Now I see that Hornady makes a .312 174gr. Has anyone compared the two? A rough test of my No 4 barrel shows it has about 1/2 to 3/4 of its life left. Would the larger bullet be a better fit for older rifles?

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Goosic Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: September 12 2017 Location: Phoenix Arizona Status: Offline Points: 4944	Post Options Post Reply Quote Goosic Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: February 15 2020 at 1:03pm
	I have just recently tested a 200grn .310 FMJBT against the Hornady 174grn .312 HPBT. The first photo is the .310 FMJBT bullets, the second photo is the .312 174grn BTHP bullets.

britrifles Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: February 03 2018 Location: Atlanta, GA Status: Online Points: 2615	Post Options Post Reply Quote britrifles Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: February 15 2020 at 1:17pm
	I wasn’t able to detect any difference between the .311 SMK and .312 Hornady Match for 10 shot groups at 200 yards from my No. 4 which has a barrel measuring .3035 across the lands and a .314 groove depth. 10 shot group sizes center to center extreme spread 2 MOA or slightly better on a good day.

Honkytonk Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: December 30 2017 Location: Brandon Mb Status: Offline Points: 3511	Post Options Post Reply Quote Honkytonk Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: February 15 2020 at 2:53pm
	Either load or group would make me proud! Venison on the table! Man, can you guys shoot!

pisco Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: November 21 2018 Location: australia Status: Offline Points: 163	Post Options Post Reply Quote pisco Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: February 15 2020 at 8:14pm
	i use the hornady .312” and they work better then any thing else i have used

britrifles Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: February 03 2018 Location: Atlanta, GA Status: Online Points: 2615	Post Options Post Reply Quote britrifles Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: February 16 2020 at 5:46am
	Pisco, have you also shot the Sierra MatchKing? If so, how much better did the Hornady shoot? Are you able to gage the bore of your rifle?

Honkytonk Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: December 30 2017 Location: Brandon Mb Status: Offline Points: 3511	Post Options Post Reply Quote Honkytonk Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: February 16 2020 at 6:41am
	My No4 Mk2 Sniper clone shoots the Sierra MK 174's slightly better than the PPU 174 FMJ's. It also shoots 180 gr Sierra Prohunters well. Since I only have access to basically a 100 yard range, I'll probably stick to a non BT. In my experience in tuning in my Enfields, matching bullet weight (150 vs 174/180) to a rifle is most important. My L42 clone (.303) just wouldn't group 180's, but I took the advise from this forum and tried 150 gr Hornady spire points and it was like magic! Good shooter now! I recently loaded up a bunch of Hornady .312 174gr RN and am looking forward to see how they shoot. Wicked looking projectile...

britrifles Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: February 03 2018 Location: Atlanta, GA Status: Online Points: 2615	Post Options Post Reply Quote britrifles Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: February 16 2020 at 7:37am
	The two No. 4s that I tried the Sierra 180 PH bullet, neither would group, strung vertically. One of these days, I’ll experiment further with it (different powder/charge weight). Must be a tuning issue. The 174 gr SMK has been accurate with several medium burn powders over a broad range of muzzle velocities in my No. 4 rifles.

pisco Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: November 21 2018 Location: australia Status: Offline Points: 163	Post Options Post Reply Quote pisco Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: February 16 2020 at 6:44pm
	i have never used the sierra i have been using some old taipans if i remember correctly my bore is .313”