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

So, I was able to get a reading off of one round of the .223 running the 80's before I shot my MagnetoSpeed :mad:.
Sierra 80SMK
Varget
Lapua brass
CCI BR4
2940 out of a 25" tube.
No pressure signs. Shoots pretty well. I'm going to stick with it. I just need to practice a LOT more to get myself consistent. That's the plan.
 
You might want to look at CFE223.............I was amazed.... 3/8 inch 5 shot groups at 300 yds..... Not only for the 223 but for the 308 too. Just sayin'
 
So, I was able to get a reading off of one round of the .223 running the 80's before I shot my MagnetoSpeed :mad:.
Sierra 80SMK
Varget
Lapua brass
CCI BR4
2940 out of a 25" tube.
No pressure signs. Shoots pretty well. I'm going to stick with it. I just need to practice a LOT more to get myself consistent. That's the plan.


That's nearly an identical load that I used for my first season of F-Class. The exception was I was using a 26" barrel.

I found that pushing them much faster than that and I started losing primer pockets pretty quick. Close to and slightly over 3000fps blew primer pockets in one firing.

I'm guessing you're around 24.6-25g of V?
 
That's nearly an identical load that I used for my first season of F-Class. The exception was I was using a 26" barrel.

I found that pushing them much faster than that and I started losing primer pockets pretty quick. Close to and slightly over 3000fps blew primer pockets in one firing.

I'm guessing you're around 24.6-25g of V?
Yessir. 25.
 
Barnard action s Running 30 " Bartlien 1/7 Varget 24.7 80 gr SMK 2950 fps FED Gold match, Lapua brass
It does not get any better many 5 shot groups at 300 y .500 to 1.00" 100y one hole in good conditions
I know only 3 in this group at 300 y
 

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That's nearly an identical load that I used for my first season of F-Class. The exception was I was using a 26" barrel.

I found that pushing them much faster than that and I started losing primer pockets pretty quick. Close to and slightly over 3000fps blew primer pockets in one firing.

I'm guessing you're around 24.6-25g of V?
What Primers are you using. i'm just starting to reload for the .223 but have been reloading for the 6.5 Creedmoor and .308.
 
What Primers are you using. i'm just starting to reload for the .223 but have been reloading for the 6.5 Creedmoor and .308.

I've used Fed 205s (not 205Ms) and BR4s. I actually use Fed 205s in my F-Class gun and in my PRS gun with no issues.
 
Just an update:

I finally got the rifle/bullet to shoot.
80 SMK
25.1 Varget
CCI BR4
Lapua brass

2933fps
SD 7

Shot off a bipod and rear squeeze bag. 5 @ 100.

This load is safe in MY rifle. It is over book, please work up slowly.
 

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Just because you can never have too many rifles . . . . .

Just got my new rifle back yesterday. 30" Brux on a Remington Mod-7 action and not quite sure what the freebore is but at .020" jump, boat-tail starts just above the neck shoulder junction.

I have a couple of friends running this combination and advise to work up but accuracy load will probably be betwixt 25.0 and 25.8 gr. Varget.
 
Just because you can never have too many rifles . . . . .

Just got my new rifle back yesterday. 30" Brux on a Remington Mod-7 action and not quite sure what the freebore is but at .020" jump, boat-tail starts just above the neck shoulder junction.

I have a couple of friends running this combination and advise to work up but accuracy load will probably be betwixt 25.0 and 25.8 gr. Varget.
Nice. Let us know how she shoots.
 
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.

I used 24.0 of R15 with a 80 SMK in my 20in barreled service rifle for competitive shooting. From memory I want to say that I was in the 2800fps neighborhood. Varget has a similar burn rate so you may end up with a similar load with it.

-T
 
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.

Thank you for posting your results and load. And thank you especially for posting your barrel twist rate.

What altitude do you typically shoot? I'm at 980 above SL, and found my 80 SMKs were marginally stable in my CBI 8 twist. Maybe I just wasn't driving them hard enough.
 
Thank you for posting your results and load. And thank you especially for posting your barrel twist rate.

What altitude do you typically shoot? I'm at 980 above SL, and found my 80 SMKs were marginally stable in my CBI 8 twist. Maybe I just wasn't driving them hard enough.

Sierra says that the 80's need a 7 if I'm remembering correctly.

I'm running them in my FT/R rig
Rock Creek 1/7
Lapua brass
Varget 25.1 (fine in my rifle, start low and work up)
running 2850ish I believe but I don't have my notes next to me
CCI BR4
I'm at sea level
One hole at 100. I have not shot for group at 300 due to time.
 
Do the SMK 80gn pils need a 1:7 twist? I currently use 80.5 Bergers in my 1:8 twist Tikka varmint to excellent effect.
Just sounds strange you would anything much faster than 1:8.
 

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