I posted my results from some load testing for the 90 grain 223 Sierra Match King bullets 3-4 months ago. After some recovery time from surgery I was finally able to shoot in a 600 yard match today in Florida. I used my Savage F T/R rifle with an aftermarket McGowan barrel with a 1:7 twist and a longer chamber and a Duplin bipod. Conditions were not too bad, but not ideal either. Winds from 2-7 MPH from 9 / 11 o'clock. The velocity changes were more gradual than gusty. Shot a 195, 196 and a 199 with 17X for a total of 590 and 32 X. I am very pleased with the 90 grain SMK bullets riding in Lapua brass with Alliant 2000 MR powder. I am getting 2910 FPS. I did point the bullets with a Whidden bullet pointing die. Bottom line, for a very soft recoiling load, try the 90 Grain SMK bullets.
223 90 grain Sierra Match King bullet match report
- Thread starter CaptainH
- Start date
Good to hear how was your elevation ? Did you hold a good waterline? I shoot the Berger 90VLDs and with my supply winding down I might have to shoot the SMK until my back order arrives.
Just heard the production run went from FEB to MAY.
John.
Just heard the production run went from FEB to MAY.
John.
Sierra says they've addressed this problem. Has anyone experienced SMK 90s blowing up recently or is it now just a historical myth?
Nice shooting Capt.! Thanks for the update.
Anybody shooting the sierras 90's in a ar servicerifle? if so what loads do you use? Thanks, Davek.
That is good to hear if its true. What a damn nightmare trying to get these things to stay together back in 2005 and prior.
You would have to be damn fool to try and get a 90gr to shoot out of a 6.5 Twist Service Rifle. Trust me We tried and tried. One day it was like magic. The next.. the wheels would fall off. You just cant have that when your suppling the top shooters in the Nation for National Championships. In the end, nothing wrong with a good ole 80gr SMK and a whole lot less drama.
Russel
I have 500 of them coming in to test. The Sierra tech I spoke to the other day told me that they no longer will fall apart. He also said that the bullets are being pointed and that's why the increase of BC on the web site. We will see. I will post my findings in a few weeks.
My 1:7 twist barrel is a bit short at 26 inches, but I'd really like to shoot SMK 90s in F/TR at 600 yards. I've had frustrating and inconsistent test results with the SMK 90s. Some groups are OK while some are really bad using the same ammo batch on the same day. Only a few groups were really good and those are usually followed by a bad result. I was ready to give up on the 90s and go with Berger VLD 80s for the first F/TR match of the year because the Bergers loads I've developed are more consistent and accurate.
But since I was launching my most accurate 90gr loads at around 2400 to 2500 fps while those shooters reporting really good results with the 90s were operating at MVs up around 2900 fps I decided to load up 20 examples at (four different) significantly higher charge weights than I've been using.
Yesterday fired all 20 test rounds at 100 yards with only the heaviest load producing indications of excessive pressure; i.e. sticky bolt lift. To my dismay, the best load produced an average MV of 2968 fps and a 5-shot group size of .247 MOA. So perhaps it's too early to give up on them and I'll need to do more testing around that charge weight along with some seating tests as well. If I can repeat groups measuring in the twos and threes at MVs at or above 2900 fps, I will make the SMK 90s my new best F/TR recipe.
I know I'll find Nirvana just about the time I wear out this barrel.
But since I was launching my most accurate 90gr loads at around 2400 to 2500 fps while those shooters reporting really good results with the 90s were operating at MVs up around 2900 fps I decided to load up 20 examples at (four different) significantly higher charge weights than I've been using.
Yesterday fired all 20 test rounds at 100 yards with only the heaviest load producing indications of excessive pressure; i.e. sticky bolt lift. To my dismay, the best load produced an average MV of 2968 fps and a 5-shot group size of .247 MOA. So perhaps it's too early to give up on them and I'll need to do more testing around that charge weight along with some seating tests as well. If I can repeat groups measuring in the twos and threes at MVs at or above 2900 fps, I will make the SMK 90s my new best F/TR recipe.
I know I'll find Nirvana just about the time I wear out this barrel.
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I'm guessing the faster you push the 90 Sierra's the better they stabilize in your 7 twist. But, first check your chronograph for accuracy. MV's are very high and if it's correct, your load is very hot. As mentioned above, with a 30" barrel, 2850ish FPS is about max for the 90's.
Sierra requires a 6.5 TW and Berger just went from a 7 TW to a 6 TW recommended twist. I've never heard of anyone using a 6 twist on a 223
I will have mine Thursday, I will let you know.
I've got some SMK 90s which are labeled 9290. Frankly I don't know if these are a "new" batch or not. My understanding is not that they're "tipped" like the Tipped SMK 69s; i.e. with a plastic tip. Rather the meplat is normalized, but I'm not sure how. And I'm not sure how you're supposed to find out. I can't find any information and if there is information on Sierra's web site, I can seem to find it. Can anyone point me to some data on these "new" versions of the SMK 90s in .223 caliber?
Anyhow, here are your requested OAL measurements of the first five I measured of the ones I have on hand.
1.1565 1.162 1.1585 1.1585 1.1545
As you can see, they're all over the place. You might do better measuring the bullet base to ogive, but that depends on the size of the insert and, as far as I know, these aren't standardized so you and I could very well come up with different readings of base to ogive distances even using the same brand of bullet comparator.
Mozella, if they are the newer pointed version, you should see that the ogive takes a dramatic change about 1/8" from the meplat, liked they'd been forced into a cone of a different angle than the rest of the ogive. I hope that makes sense. If not post up a photo and we can tell you if they are pointed or not.
Does Sierra use a different product or part number for the pointed version of the SMK 90gr?
On a slightly different note I shoot 80gr A-Max .223 in a Savage Model 12 1:7 twist 26" barrel. In Norma cases with 24.7 gr Varget I'm confortable with 2840 fps MV. The cases and primers aren't stressed - in fact some of the cases have already been used 6 times without any issues. I was surprised with the comments around MV.
This combination shoots competively out to 800 yards and out to 1000 yards in lighter winds.
Took the 90 grn SMK for a test ride today in Warm AZ. The weather was a beautiful 106 and with my barrel cool and cousin we headed to the range. Overall I was impressed with how well they shot at 500. They held a good elevation which was amazing considering that I threw the rounds together the night before with Hornday brass and IMR4064 powder.
What I used
24GRNS IMR 4064 ( Didn't want to try Varget was being lazy).
90SMK
Hornday Brass - Prepped
Bartlein 1-6.7 Twist
Wolf Primers
.15 off lands
Not a bad day, My cousin shot 30 of the 60 rounds, and for never shooting in FTR I was amazed how well he shot. Guess he had a good wind coach.
I will do further testing at 800 and 900 and maybe throw some varget and Lapua brass and see what I can do
I was even a nice guy and put his name on the score card so he would get the High Fives, fin seeing new shooter get into the sport.
In conclusion, I would definitely use these for 500 and 600 hundred Yard matches i think they can win. Its too bad because i just got my shipment of 90Berger VLD'S
What I used
24GRNS IMR 4064 ( Didn't want to try Varget was being lazy).
90SMK
Hornday Brass - Prepped
Bartlein 1-6.7 Twist
Wolf Primers
.15 off lands
Not a bad day, My cousin shot 30 of the 60 rounds, and for never shooting in FTR I was amazed how well he shot. Guess he had a good wind coach.
I will do further testing at 800 and 900 and maybe throw some varget and Lapua brass and see what I can doI was even a nice guy and put his name on the score card so he would get the High Fives, fin seeing new shooter get into the sport.
In conclusion, I would definitely use these for 500 and 600 hundred Yard matches i think they can win. Its too bad because i just got my shipment of 90Berger VLD'S
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