80 gn SMK in AR ??

[Baddog0302]

While searching for load data with the 80 SMK's for a new to me AR, I was informed by Sierra that the 80 gn WAS NOT magazine friendly, which means it probably requires deep seating ??
Does anyone here load the 80 SMK in an AR ?? and if so what is your load for the AR ? Also , like everyone else powder choices are limited to 4895, 4064, 748, 335, 844 military and a few faster ones.

Thank you

 

[Roarke]

This topic has been covered ad nauseam across this forum. I mention this so you know a simple search will reveal multiple threads dealing with this very topic, one of which is i believe only a few days old.

A great place to start would be the "223 info" page on this very website. It specifically mentions the 80's and their seating requirements.

Good luck

 

[people]

a search will turn up tones of data on it.

 

[Baddog0302]

a search will turn up tones of data on it. I shoot the 80gr SMK in my service rifle from time to time. I like mag length ammo so I shoot many 69gr 75gr and 77gr bullets.

Thanks, looks like I'll be offering the 80's for trade for the 75's or 77's

 

[KevinThomas]

Baddog0302,

The short story is, the 80s were developed for the ARs, and more specifically, for the 600 yard stage of the match course. That stage requires all ammo to be single loaded, so it was never intended to be fed from a mag. That requirement allowed some things that you can't do when producing a magazine length bullet, such as getting away from a 7 caliber ogive, and moving to the longer profile that you see on the 80. Makes it a much more efficient bullet, and delivers a significantly higher BC for those mid-range loads.

 

[sscoyote]

If you can find one these days the old DPMS VLD magazine will allow you to seat the bullet to about 2.46 OAL. I have a couple of these fascinating little gizmos and although mine needed the magazine lips and spring tweaked a bit it actually worked pretty well once I got it running well. I shot the 75 gr. A-Max/65 JLK Low Drag pretty well for awhile out of my 223 AI AR. It was some work though to get it to work. You also need a special bolt stop that SHOULD come with it.