95gn SMK's w/7 twist barrel

[jmcgowe]

Anyone having luck running these .223 95gn SMK's with a 30 inch 7 twist barrel? What velocity are you getting? Jammed or jumped? Powder?

I've been working on a load using Re 17 and thought I was getting close so I loaded up a bunch for a 600 yd match this weekend. Well, they wouldn't shoot worth a darn, so it's back to the drawing board. I had these running at 2,875 fps with a slightly compressed load of 27.4 gn of Re 17 and with a .010 jam. Brass showed no signs of pressure, although I'm about at the safe max per QuickLOAD.

Any experiences, insights, tips, etc. would be most appreciated.

John

 

[Ned Ludd]

AFAIK, there are a few people that have had success shooting the 95s in F-TR. I haven't tried them in competition as yet, but worked up a load. Out of a 30" 6.8-twist barrel with a pretty long freebore, they were tuning in at around 2740 fps with H4895. Precision was good, but at that velocity, the 95s were not a ballistic advantage over my other available bullet choices.

I would advise against using Re17 or other similar double-based powders for F-TR loads. They generally are poor choices due to the long strings of fire in F-Class if you experience a typical temperature change of 20 - 30 degrees during the course of a match. You won't get nearly as much velocity using powders like H4895 or Varget, but the consistency will be better if there's much of a temp change. In order to really get the most out of this bullet, you need an incredibly long freebore for a .223 Rem (something like about 0.300"), and a 32" 6.8-twist (or faster) barrel. In my hands, the 95s shot best at around .020" off the lands, although I did not get around to testing them jammed.

 

[Jdne5b]

Im running them at 2740ish @ .017 off in a 7 twist with a realllly long throat 223, using H4895.

You're running them faster than anyone Ive seen. I got to 2820 and brass was trashed after the first firing plus they didnt shoot worth a crap there.

Maybe back off a tad and try again? Im not sure where the next node would be, but the 2740 node seems really large. 2780 wanted to shoot for me but it wasnt consistent at all so I backed off.

 

[jmcgowe]

Ned & Jdne - Many thanks for the helpful replies. I had been told about the temp sensitivity of the Re 17 but worked with it because of its velocity characteristics. I had been trying to get up to the next OBT mode, but given both of your experiences, I will be throttling that back (and ordering up some H4895). Also interesting that you both found about a .020 jump to work best. I had understood that these long profile bullets tended to shoot better jammed. Always learning in this game. Again, many thanks for sharing your insights.

John

 

[Twitchy]

I go ahead and post up my results. All done with RL17 so far.

I started seeing pressure with the last few charge weights. Nothing too bad, but enough that I didn't care to push beyond.

I may try a 6.5-6.7 twist if I can find one long enough. I'm guessing even if the groups arent terrible at short range, the lack of RPM probably accounts for the consistency and groups getting worse further out.

FYI, my barrel is 30", 1:7, throated for 90s. So not ideal for seating the 95s.

 

[raptor1ronin]

I go ahead and post up my results. All done with RL17 so far.

I started seeing pressure with the last few charge weights. Nothing too bad, but enough that I didn't care to push beyond.

I may try a 6.5-6.7 twist if I can find one long enough. I'm guessing even if the groups arent terrible at short range, the lack of RPM probably accounts for the consistency and groups getting worse further out.

FYI, my barrel is 30", 1:7, throated for 90s. So not ideal for seating the 95s.

Questions #7, 8 what was the velocity? Also has anyone tried them out to 600 in a match with a 7 twist. Im about to in a couple weeks.

 

[Jdne5b]

I've shot 4 matches with them @ 600.

 

[Twitchy]

Questions #7, 8 what was the velocity? Also has anyone tried them out to 600 in a match with a 7 twist. Im about to in a couple weeks.

I'd have to dig through my notes, but they were in 24XX FPS.

 

[Twitchy]

Im running them at 2740ish @ .017 off in a 7 twist with a realllly long throat 223, using H4895.

You're running them faster than anyone Ive seen. I got to 2820 and brass was trashed after the first firing plus they didnt shoot worth a crap there.

Maybe back off a tad and try again? Im not sure where the next node would be, but the 2740 node seems really large. 2780 wanted to shoot for me but it wasnt consistent at all so I backed off.

What barrel length?

 

[Jdne5b]

30 inch

 

[raptor1ronin]

I've shot 4 matches with them @ 600.

WHAts your results if you don’t mind. I’m using them at 500 yard matches and 1 600 shoot well but it was a 6.7 twist

 

[Jdne5b]

Tulsa - 583-18 for 1st
Nebraska - 595-28 for 1st
Mo State - 1375- 43 for 3rd
Big Piney - 389-16 for 3rd.

I may shoot them at Midrange nationals for kicks. Otherwise Im back to .308 until after LR Nationals.

 

[raptor1ronin]

Tulsa - 583-18 for 1st
Nebraska - 595-28 for 1st
Mo State - 1375- 43 for 3rd
Big Piney - 389-16 for 3rd.

I may shoot them at Midrange nationals for kicks. Otherwise Im back to .308 until after LR Nationals.

Good stuff and good shooting !

 

[Jdne5b]

Thanks. I've been pretty happy with them so far, and they all made it to the target.

X's aren't where they need to be with a 223, which is why I think this barrel is on the downhill side.

 

[raptor1ronin]

Thanks. I've been pretty happy with them so far, and they all made it to the target.

X's aren't where they need to be with a 223, which is why I think this barrel is on the downhill side.

Key word is they all made it to the target unlike some of my Bergers 90VLD

 

[Ned Ludd]

Key word is they all made it to the target unlike some of my Bergers 90VLD

Now that's just crazy talk .