80gr SMK loads

[jlorenzo]

Have some on the way for the first time. Trying to see which shoot better between these and the 80.5s or VLDs.

The 80.5 is at hard jam around 2.544/CBTO 2.035 in my gun. Not sure what kind of freebore that is. I'll going with Lapua brass but am always looking at LC for an alternative.
I have a good amount of powders to try. Gonna look at Varget, RL15.5, possibly 8208 XBR.

 

[wboggs]

What are you shooting?

 

[chkunz]

What are you shooting?

The more detail you give about what your gun configuration is (barrel length, twist, etc.) and what type of competition you are using it in the better the answers you will receive.

 

[jlorenzo]

Sorry. 223, 26" Bartlien 7.5 twist, will be for banging steel out as far as I can go and some local 600y Fclass.

 

[chkunz]

I got good results for a 600 yard NRA mid range pet load with the 80 SMK and a stiff load of RE 15, not Max or over max load but near max powder charge. This was with an AR, 26 inch 1:8 twist. The 80 SMK is very tolerant of jump, and I load them a minimum of 0.010 off the lands. Let me know if you want more details.

 

[Jeff Porter]

Depending on the barrel, I have run them with good results from 0.010"- 0.040" jump in the 2750fps range.

 

[karrarararararar]

You'll most likely end up with nearly the same charge weight as 77's

 

[RegionRat]

The 80 SMK has been around a long time and has taken lots of folks to High Master and Distinguished.
The Berger 80.5 is also very good and well regarded by the same crowds.
These two bullets are about as easy as it gets, unless we are talking availability as of late.....

Just one note. There are some older stocks of SMK 80 that are not pointed, and some newer ones that are. No problem with either, but you won't want to mix them.

 

[stacy]

My 8tw 223 loves 80 gr MK with RL-15

 

[jpjulian]

In my AR service rifle I used 24.5 grains of RL-15 and seated the 80 SMK .020 off when the barrel was new and left the seating depth there for the life of the barrel. Krieger 1-7 Wilde chamber by John Holliger.

Edit to add... Remington 7 1/2 primers

 

[JAlfred]

Of the powders listed, Varget and 8208 are both great, I would lean toward 8208. No experience with RL 15.5, I may need to pick some up.

 

[243Lapua]

Sorry. 223, 26" Bartlien 7.5 twist, will be for banging steel out as far as I can go and some local 600y Fclass.

I'm using 23.0 of H4895. Fed Match 205, Lapua brass, but with 77gr Sierra's out of a 7.5 Bartlein . Rem 700.

 

[DocBII]

jlorenzo,

WSR, N-550 up to 26 gr. (work up) load to 2.555 COL. OGL sorting and tipping help to reach 1k if needed.

HTH,
DocBII

 

[jlorenzo]

jlorenzo,

WSR, N-550 up to 26 gr. (work up) load to 2.555 COL. OGL sorting and tipping help to reach 1k if needed.

HTH,
DocBII

Thanks, my max COAL is right around 2.55, hard jam. Any experience with other powders?

 

[jlorenzo]

I got good results for a 600 yard NRA mid range pet load with the 80 SMK and a stiff load of RE 15, not Max or over max load but near max powder charge. This was with an AR, 26 inch 1:8 twist. The 80 SMK is very tolerant of jump, and I load them a minimum of 0.010 off the lands. Let me know if you want more details.

Thanks, what was your COAL?

 

[chkunz]

Thanks, what was your COAL?

I will see if I can find it in my notes but I do not think it will be useful. I measure the distance to the lands on a new barrel and backoff from there. Then I put 6000 rounds thru the barrel and when I pull off the barrel there are no more lands, the barrel just in front of the case is all washed out and only bright streaks where the lands were. I have sectioned a couple of them to get a good look. I tried to measure this once and it is difficult but looks like about 150 thousandth between a new and worn out barrel. It is amazing how well a shot out barrel will still shoot at 600 yards.

 

[DocBII]

Thanks, my max COAL is right around 2.55, hard jam. Any experience with other powders?

jlorenzo,

Yes, Alliant 2000 MR gave more velocity with equal accuracy/precision, not needed for less than 1k.

HTH,
DocBII

 

[AR Shooter]

I'm using 23.0 of H4895. Fed Match 205, Lapua brass, but with 77gr Sierra's out of a 7.5 Bartlein . Rem 700.

Are you loading your 77 SMKs to magazine length or do you load them longer? Good to 600yd?

 

[243Lapua]

Are you loading your 77 SMKs to magazine length or do you load them longer? Good to 600yd?

Magazine length, and good for 600. I have them at 20 thousands of the lands. Custom chamber

 

[AR Shooter]

Thank you. Gives me a place to start.