155 SMK .308 load
- Thread starter jlorenzo
- Start date
Last year I fired a bunch of them (155 SMK's) and got them to do well with 45.0 - 45.2 gr of Varget, Federal Brass and Fed210 primers with the COAL at 2.863, which was .080 off the lands. Velocity was around 2800 fps from a 24" Krieger barrel and getting SD's at 6.4 and ES's at 9 using 5 shot groups with MOA's measuring in the .3's at 100 and 200 yds.
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I shoot several 150grain hunting bullets in my 308 and have great luck with win brass, win or cci standard primers and varget. I don’t remember the charge weight but straightshooters load sounds about right, it was a midrange load, there was also another node that was pretty good right around max
For more info/feedback, can you post COAL at touch, barrel length and the type of case you are using ? And which 155 projectile ?
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My magazine limits me to 2.79 and change so I haven't bothered finding the lands since I don't want to single feed. Ive been using regular Federal brass since I have a ton of it but I bought 100 Lapua recently that Ill start using soon.
I have Varget, RL15, CFE 223, N150 and just bought 2# of N140 to try with the 155s (regular non Palma Sierra Matchkings, found a killer deal on Brunos around 33 cents a bullet if I remember correctly). I have mostly CCI primers both regular and benchrest, also some standard federal blue box.
Ive been having the best luck with Nosler 175 custom comps and the N150, gun didnt like any of the Hornady ELD stuff. I assume that is due to the ogive profile and mag length. The Vihtavouri powder has been the most consistent and produced the best groups by far. Looking forward to trying the N140 with the 155s. The N150 is too slow for my 20" barrel with the 175s, getting sooty necks and about 2560fps but groups the best. Im not digging the recoil of the 175s and will be shooting mostly 600 and in so the 155s make more sense for me. Gun is a factory Howa barreled action (1:10 twist) I got from Brownells on sale for 250$, in a B&C target/comp adjustable stock.
I’ve had the best velocity so far with IMR 4895. .5 MOA accuracy for ten round groups at 200 yards. Less than 6 SD for 22 rounds. No load development or seating depth tests. Just loaded at mag length of 2.96” Over 3000 FPS with a 155 tmk in a 26” barrel.
I’ve tried Varget, IMR 4166, accurate 2520, and accurate 4064.
Have high hopes for IMR 8208 XBR when I can find some in stock but so far the 4895 is my preference.
I’ve tried Varget, IMR 4166, accurate 2520, and accurate 4064.
Have high hopes for IMR 8208 XBR when I can find some in stock but so far the 4895 is my preference.
Ok, I asked about distance to lands because with single feed you can achieve an equivalent velocity with less pressure if you load to a longer COAL. With a 20 inch barrel I'd try a faster powder, H4895 or better still 8208 for the 155's. Do you know how much jump you have when loading to 2.79 COAL ?
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I do not know the jump still something I need to do, barely have time to load and shoot as it is. I may end up upgrading from the cheap Legacy Sports magazine that functions great but only allows for 2.79ish COAL. I am wanting to get back into shooting some local PRS matches so mag feed is a must, plus I just like mag feeding. As far as powder goes Im lucky to have what I do. We all know the market these days, luckily it is trickling back in and one of my LGS seems be stocking Vihtavouri regularly. I havent had a charge with the N150/175 Nosler CCs that didnt shoot well with pretty impressive ES/SDs. That powder costs more but I can see why. I am going to try Varget, RL15 and CFE223 when the 155s show up. I shoot .223 (75/77gr exclusively) and .308 so luckily I can use those powders in either, as well as the N140 but so far Ive had nothing but good results from Vihtavouri.
karrarararararar
USAF Shooting Team
My Palma load is 44.4gr 8208 xbr with 2156's. Wouldn't hesitate to use the same charge with 2155's. 3020 out of a 30" barrel, single digit SD's with thrown charges. .060" jump.
I would not Freat too much about the actual jump of this Particular Bullet ( 2155) it is a very Resilient bullet for bullet jump. I have done some testing with it for this and it just seems to shoot extremely well at just about anything you can do to it. .015 off. to .090 off... Just load up test ammo 45gr to 47gr of Varget or N140 and shoot it.
If I got in a Jam and could not test. I would load up 46gr and go shoot a match knowing the combo would not be holding me back. It would be all ME the shooter with lack of Practice and position work.
The Classic Palma load most seen on the line:
Lapua or Winchester brass (Lapua SRP lasts for at least 30+ firings)
Berger 155.5s, 155 VLDs, 155 Hybrid or Sierra 2156 155s. Some Lapua 155s if you have a longer throat
46.3-.5 Varget with bullet seated .040" off lands (Palma reamer)
Primer of choice but SRPs hold better numbers
Not saying other loads are wrong, this is what seems to work well at 1000...
Lapua or Winchester brass (Lapua SRP lasts for at least 30+ firings)
Berger 155.5s, 155 VLDs, 155 Hybrid or Sierra 2156 155s. Some Lapua 155s if you have a longer throat
46.3-.5 Varget with bullet seated .040" off lands (Palma reamer)
Primer of choice but SRPs hold better numbers
Not saying other loads are wrong, this is what seems to work well at 1000...
I may have made the mistake of learning to reload with an auto trickler. Any advise for getting setup with a thrower?
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