Who is running the 80SMK in a .223Rem?

[Bully]

Is anyone on here running the 80SMK in a .223Rem? If you are what kind of groups and velocities are you getting?
I have tested some bullets in my 1:7 Rock Creek barrel and the SMK's are shooting well. Starting load workup in earnest now. I'm using Varget as I have it. I'm happy with it, I think.

 

[stacy]

I SHOOT THE 80GR BERGERS AND 90GR BERGERS IN A 7 TWIST 223 ACKLEY VARGET SHOOTS GREAT WITH 90'S BUT RL-15 SHINES WITH THE 80GR FOR ME MAY NEED TO GIVE IT A TRY

 

[chkunz]

My son and I did considerable 223 testing which included the 80SMK and we wrote up our results in a report. If you would like a copy of the report send me an email at chkunz@bellsouth.net and I will send you a copy of the report.

 

[grovey]

I'd be interested in hearing what your loads are with Varget and how high you tested. I'm testing 75's in two different factory rifles myself at the moment, and so far I found a sweet spot around 23.6 in the 20"bbl gun and 24.2 in the other gun which has a 22" bbl. Different brass for each rifle , but I was hoping to find another sweet spot in the 25-26 gr range. I'm crunching powder@25grs, but have loaded 25.4 up to 25.8 to test next. FWIW... 24.8 grs of Varget gave me 2775 fps with the 75gr ELD's with the 20" bbl.

 

[Bully]

I'd be interested in hearing what your loads are with Varget and how high you tested. I'm testing 75's in two different factory rifles myself at the moment, and so far I found a sweet spot around 23.6 in the 20"bbl gun and 24.2 in the other gun which has a 22" bbl. Different brass for each rifle , but I was hoping to find another sweet spot in the 25-26 gr range. I'm crunching powder@25grs, but have loaded 25.4 up to 25.8 to test next. FWIW... 24.8 grs of Varget gave me 2775 fps with the 75gr ELD's with the 20" bbl.

Once I find a decent charge I'll chrono it and get back to you.
I am running a 25" barrel, or there abouts. I did a quick test at 24gns of Varget and the groups were great. Hence I'm going with the SMK.

 

[grovey]

I'm pretty sure I'm not getting the velocity I'd like with Varget, but it still may be my best option. I loaded some H4895 up as well for the next trip to the range.

 

[Bully]

I'm not a super proficient reloader but I imagine that RL15 would get you more velocity. I'm stocked with Varget, so I'm sticking with it.

 

[Mhbower]

I'm running 80 Grain A-Max's in a 20 inch barrel, 1 in 7 inch twist. A SMK will take a little less powder and get similar results. Using 23.2 grains of 8208 XBR, Wolf SR Primer, Nosler Case, and getting 2750 fps as measured with my Labradar. I could go with more powder, but my 10 shot group was .62 inches. Only used a 4X scope, or I believe the group might have improved a bit. I shot SMK's before, but I got a good deal on the Hornady's.
Mark

 

[boltman223]

24.7 grains of varget with 80 smk's for me. Average velocity was 2885. 1/4" to 3/8" groups were the norm for five shots. I shot a few 10 shot groups at 300 with it; they were about 1.1- 1.2 inch groups.

My current barrel likes 23.8 grains of H4895. I don't know what the velocity is though.

 

[T.Rhodes]

I'm shooting Berger 80gr VLDs in my 700 with Shilen 1:8 26" heavy contour barrel and will get sub 1/2MOA at 300y.

The load I have focused on is 23.5 Varget seated .015" off.

I'm going to stick with this until I bring my skills up to where I know that the load needs to be refined... right now I know it's my skills/technique that are the weak link in this whole system.

 

[Bully]

My son and I did considerable 223 testing which included the 80SMK and we wrote up our results in a report. If you would like a copy of the report send me an email at chkunz@bellsouth.net and I will send you a copy of the report.

I sent you an email. Thank you in advance.

 

[urbanrifleman]

The load I have focused on is 23.5 Varget seated .015" off.

This was my 80 SMK back in the 1990s. I now use R15. Both load very close to this. You can go hotter, but you might pop primers in the summer in an auto gun. I moly.

 

[xswanted]

I use IMR 4320 in mine with the 80 SMK

They run right at 2950 with impressive accuracy. Factory tikka Varmint.

Lapua brass CCI 450s

 

[grovey]

View attachment 1043465 8208 gave me 3120 with an 80eld, node was was at 3075 with accuracy to 1k at a sub minute.

This was with a brand new barrel.

Adam

Whew , that's fast... How long is your bbl?

 

[XTR]

You may be changing your tag line to "I break stuff, sometimes..."

 

[Ned Ludd]

You may be changing your tag line to "I break stuff, sometimes..."

Nah...but you'll recognize him at the range easy. He'll be the one wearing the cool black eyepatch and pulling the trigger with his hook.

 

[swadiver]

Using N135 with 80.5 gr Berger Fullbores. 2900 fps here in Florida in a 28 inch Bartlein 5R barrel. 1 in 7.7 twist. shoots excellent out to 600 yds. why go faster and eat up your brass and barrel? don't need stuck cases, sticky bolt lifts and blown primers in competition

 

[JAlfred]

I'm running 80 Grain A-Max's in a 20 inch barrel, 1 in 7 inch twist. A SMK will take a little less powder and get similar results. Using 23.2 grains of 8208 XBR, Wolf SR Primer, Nosler Case, and getting 2750 fps as measured with my Labradar. I could go with more powder, but my 10 shot group was .62 inches. Only used a 4X scope, or I believe the group might have improved a bit. I shot SMK's before, but I got a good deal on the Hornady's.
Mark

Yep, I really have liked the 80 gr Nosler CC with that load, it was around 2950 IIRC from my 30" barrels

 

[stacy]

You may be changing your tag line to "I break stuff, sometimes..."

FOR REAL I DONT GET THAT WITH A 223 ACKLEY WITH A 30'' BARREL!!!!!!!!

 

[MrMajestic]

We should probably be examining throat length when comparing or recommending loads. Both my straight .223 and the AI version run the 80 grain A-Max at 2.495" overall length and that with 26" barrel lengths make for some pretty nice velocity #'s using Varget.