155SMK[2156] in a 1:10? Anyone get them to shoot?

[XTR]

I'm beginning to think that maybe a 1:10 is too fast for the 155s.

I've got a new Kreiger 30" tube on my rifle and I've done 2 OCW workups with them and I've yet to get groups that make sense. Shooting 185LRBTs I literally get ragged one hole groups at 200 yards, but my groups with the 155s are closer to a MOA. Tonight was pretty much no wind. I shot 155s over Varget from 45.5 to 47.3 in 0.3 steps and the groups just were not there. The same as the last time I shot an OCW ladder with them, but this time i pushed them back from 0.010 to 0.015 off.

In the mean time I did an OCW ladder across where I thought I had found my node with the 185s. Of the 5 groups I shot, three were three shots touching at 200 yards.

I can probably look over the groups and figure out where the 155s node is and try to dial in the seating depth, but I'd really have thought they'd shoot better than that.

So that's got me wondering, is a 1:10 too fast for them at the 2900-3000 range? I am pretty sure 1:14 to 1:12 would be ideal for them. Are they being unstable at that speed and rotation?

 

[DennisH]

Berger 155.5's shoot great in my 10 twist!

Why not use the 185 BTLR Bergers?

 

[XTR]

Berger 155.5's shoot great in my 10 twist!

Why not use the 185 BTLR Bergers?

I am shooting the 185LRBTs at 1000 yards, but Sierras are almost 1/2 the cost. I have a load for 175SMKs that I use in practice and club matches, the difference is 27¢ vs 43¢ a bullet.

I'm just looking for a functional 155 load to play with and see how it shoots compared to the heavies. Maybe to use a 600. Recoil is a lot less and if I could get the 2156 to shoot they too are lots cheaper than Bergers.

 

[Keith Glasscock]

I use 155 Amaxes for practice - same reason. My Bergers go out for matches, and practice right before the match, but otherwise, I conserve them. At 45 cents a piece, I just can't afford to practice much.

Sorry, I haven't tried the Sierra's yet.

 

[ar15topgun]

175 smk's would be a good choice or the 190 smk's.

 

[Steve Blair]

Berger 155.5's shoot great in my 10 twist!

I'm with Dennis on this. Berger 155.5 FULLBORE bullets shoot exceptionally well in my 10" twist, 26" Krieger over 8208 XBR. You might try a slightly faster powder like 8208 or H4895.

 

[Rtheurer]

There is an article floating around the web about John Widden shooting a 1:10 barrel and making the Palma Team with a rifle of his making ( model 70). I wouldnt get to wrapped up about it being too fast a twist. It will be just fine.
Also take note of the Nosler Custom Comp 155gr. I have two friends shooting this bullet for the same reason you want to. One shoots them at 1000 on down ( very very successfully at that) and the other at 600 and in. Both seem to shoot lights out. Bulk price is really cheap, or at least they where in that .20 each range which is almost as cheap as shooting a 223!

I feel you pain about the cost of bullets... I just put in a huge order to Powder Valley that cost a weeks worth of pay check.... OUCH.

RussT

 

[Klong]

The 155 shoots just fine in my Remington LTR, which also shoots 165 SR GK very well. I had a 1x10 308 custom rifle that shot them well also. The 175 SMK were slightly better, but the velocity of the 24" barrel would not make the 155 stay with the 175 out past 500 yards. I think the long barrels(30") will be better at the normal 13 twist for the 155. There is a reason all of the palma shooters shoot that twist!

 

[Dans40X]

XTR,
The 155's should group in your 30" 1:10 twist.
I'd drop the dirty Varget powder like a bad habit & load some IMR4064 or V V N140/150 powders.

The 175's SMK's don't impress me no matter which twist/length.

I've burnt out a couple cut rifled Bbls pushing 155's OTC & LR.

 

[Leaddog]

Every rifle is different. I couldn't get the Berger 155.5's to shoot in either of my (2) 10 twist rifles. One, a Spencer barreled 26", and the other, a 28" Hart.

Both rifles shoot the Berger 185 LRBT's exceptionally well and see no need for further bullet testing.

 

[XTR]

Thanks for the input guys. I was a little frustrated after last night at the range. Shooting the 155s and then shooting the LRBTs and watching groups in the .2s appear on the paper was making me scratch my head for possible answers.


I has one box of the 2156 bullets, I may play with some more of them just to see if I can get them to work but for competition purposes I'm sticking with heavies for the moment.

 

[dieselten]

If your chamber is throated for 185's and you are seating the Sierra 2156 155 Palma to .015 behind rifling - how much of the bearing surface is in the case? I would think hardly any. I just started using the 2156 in a chamber set up for 190's, mine is a 30-06. I have to jump them .100 in order to have a decent amount of bearing surface in the case neck. Krieger 5R 1-10. I was skeptical about that jump and thought I wasted money buying one box of bullets, but initial results are great. Smaller groups than I got with the 190's or 208's, half the recoil too. Try jumping them much more than you would ever think possible, you will have much more consistent neck tension. Also try IMR 4064 or 4895.

 

[Heavies]

IMR 8208 XBR is where it's at with 155 SMK Palmas. 185's too.

 

[FroggyOne2]

I have ask, what made you think that the 2156's would shoot well over the same charge as the Berger 185's? The way your going to know if they will shoot in your rifle is to do a full workup. That is the way I feel about it.

 

[XTR]

I have ask, what made you think that the 2156's would shoot well over the same charge as the Berger 185's? The way your going to know if they will shoot in your rifle is to do a full workup. That is the way I feel about it.

Pardon me? I think you misunderstood the post Randy, I didn't mean to give the impression that I was shooting them over the same load?if I put 47.3 grains of Varget behind a 185 I don't think I'd ever shoot the rifle again. :

did a full OCW "ladder" from 45.5 to 47.3, MVs from the mid 2800s to just over 3000. Like I said, I may play with another box for giggles but right now I'm sticking with the heavies.

 

[DennisH]

Gotta be a full moon or something!

Everybody needs to chill out and lets get something solved! ;D

Dennis

 

[FroggyOne2]

Yeah I went back and re read it, I saw the line about doing the test with the 185's, but some how missed the other part and mistaken that you had implied that then later tried the 155's over the same load. It is hard to read large post on the phone for me. Plus please be advise it was not an attack, nor never was ment to be. But as I had thought the way I read it, I had to ask, it is a long story, I will tell you about at the next match.

 

[XTR]

I was being a little snippy with my response, it was a lot worse before I saw who wrote it ;D

I didn't think it was an attack. I've been known to get snippy on BBs when I think people are responding w/o reading. (in the Navy it was RTFQ) As I commented above, I had already written something when I saw who responded and I tried to take the edge off, I guess I failed.

I also think I have my answer here too. It isn't the barrel. I just have to find a way to load these that it likes.

 

[DennisH]

but some how missed the other part and mistaken that you had implied that then later tried the 155's over the same load

I have had the same situation happen to me!

I am glad everything is understood and going better for all!

Dennis

 

[FroggyOne2]

8)