69 vs 77smk

[Kevin1990]

Going to start loading for a new .223 (1-8 tw) rem and a 22 ARC (1-7.)
Going to be using VV N140
Keeping everything 500 yards and in . probably more like 3-400.

Anyone with any experience with both the 69 and 77 SMK? I know the barrel will tell me what it likes but just curious if anyone had luck with one over the other?

Thanks fellas

 

[SecondsCount]

They both can be very accurate. I shoot steel at various ranges and like the BC of the 77. The little extra weight makes the impacts louder.

23.5-24.0 N140 with a 77 SMK shoots very well in my rifle.

 

[Chiquita]

I have the Viht on 24.1 with CCI 400 & 77. Shoots really well.

 

[Kevin1990]

They both can be very accurate. I shoot steel at various ranges and like the BC of the 77. The little extra weight makes the impacts louder.

23.5-24.0 N140 with a 77 SMK shoots very well in my rifle.

Nice! That's what I'm looking to do. Punch paper and ring some steel. Just wasn't sure if that extra weight on the 77 meant anything. Just looking for a cheaper bullet that's forgiving in seating depth.

 

[Jeff Porter]

Both will work for you to 500. 77’s are better in wind but I can get smaller groups with the 69 so it can even out. Try both.

 

[Cfshooter]

They are both good, but 77’s have better BC.

 

[LiveFire]

Speaking for 5.56 ar15 loads the 77smk and aa2520 was the easy button for me. I tried hornady 68/75 and 69smk. The accuracy just wasnt as good as the 77smk for me.

 

[Fuj]

It was strange that in my 9 twister shot the 77's and hated the 69's ??
Trying IMI Mod ammo in my RRA, same results. The 77's shot the best,
and the 69's was buck shot out of an 8 twister......

 

[cdgaydos]

I go back and forth between 77 and 69SMK for XTC out to 300 (100-300 yards).
100 yards I think 69s are more precise.
200 yards I still think 69s are slightly more precise unless it is REALLY windy.
300 yards I start to feel a little more comfortable with 77s (but, I think you will find that the difference between 69s and 77s in the wind is not huge and I’ve done well with 69s)
600 yards I shoot bullets with higher BCs. (H75ELDM, Berger 80.5, 80SMK) but 77s will do well - and is clearly better than 69s.

With N140 I suspect you will do better with 77s…
If I were shooting 3-500yards exclusively, I’d probably look at 77s over 69s… but, I’d prefer even better BCs.

This is 223CLE, 1:7.7.

 

[LiveFire]

I know you asked specifically about 69 and 77 match kings but I thought Id offer a cheap 300yd load I use You mentioned realistically keeping ranges 300-400yds. If you are shooting steel I bet the 60gr vmax would work for you in your 223. I have a very tight grouping load with h335. I consider it a general purpose kind of load. Its cheap, comparatively. Ive used it out to 300 on steel and paper. In my gun 1:8, 223 wylde I can group 5 into 3-4 inches on a calm day. Wind will blow them around.

 

[762willdo]

I’m surprised the 77 stabilized in a 1-9 twist

 

[markm87]

I’m surprised the 77 stabilized in a 1-9 twist

We've run 80gr Nosler CC in a 9 twist 5r rem 700. I think 85 gr was where the bullets started to wander.

 

[Pawnee Bill]

22.1 gr AR-Comp with the 77 SMK or Berger 77 OTM will shoot the lights out!

 

[Turkeytider]

I shoot factory loads through my Savage Model 12 LRPV, 7 twist, almost exclusively at 500 yards. It`ll shoot 75 and 77grain loads OK, but its absolute favorite is a 69 grain SMK from ADI. Sub-MOA is no problem at 500, very much fun shooting at 5" and 4" gongs at 500. Am going to try 2" as well ( if I can see it at 500 yards!).

 

[762willdo]

I always thought the 73 Berger vld was the heaviest a 9 twist could handle…..

 

[William Vogel]

Ramshot TAC would be a better powder for the 223 and it’s cheaper. I shoot it in 223AI over 77SMK and 80ELDM at 700 yards and it groups 3/4 MOA or better at that range. TAC is a ball powder. At 300 yards I guess it really doesn’t matter to go for the top velocity node.

 

[jelenko]

it’s cheaper

These days only by a bit.
Tac has been going for ~ $270/8 lb; N140 ~ $290

 

[762willdo]

The 69TMK has a better BC then the 77 OTM

 

[thatguyshm]

Have you looked into the RMR 69gr bullet they make in house? It's my go to for cheap and accurate, especially in a gas gun. They seem to shoot very closely to a 69 SMK. I use it in 223 ar and bolt, 224 Valkyrie and 22-250. And I'll never look down on the 75gr Hornady for bulk steel days as well.

Sorry for going off topic

 

[lgwatson]

Going to start loading for a new .223 (1-8 tw) rem and a 22 ARC (1-7.)
Going to be using VV N140
Keeping everything 500 yards and in . probably more like 3-400.

Anyone with any experience with both the 69 and 77 SMK? I know the barrel will tell me what it likes but just curious if anyone had luck with one over the other?

Thanks fellas

I haven't used the 77. The 69s are very accurate in my .223 with a 9 twist.