Go to load for 223 with 80 smk

[jpjulian]

I've put thousands of Sierra 80's down range with 24.5 of RL-15. Had my fare share of success with this load, and iron sights. With Moly'd 80's I used up to 25.5 of RL-15. That is over max and is quite a hot load but I never pierced or popped a primer with that load. That was with Moly and wouldn't consider that load with a nekkid bullet. Go there with a great deal of caution. And I don't really recommend anyone else try that load. (Not a lawyer but slept in a really comfy bed last night)

 

[jlorenzo]

It jumps as well as it jams, so I would go ahead and give it a try.
Both Varget and N140 are worth a try.

Now forgive me cause I don't have time to comb backward through all the posts... but did you get any speed statistics when these SMK 80s didn't group tight for you? Any ES or SD numbers?

Just single shots looking for pressure. I suppose you can see a flat spot or two in there but I keep hearing that number of shots isn't really statistally relevant. I was getting better velocity at the top of the Varget charges, not as hot either. Can feel a difference in temp on the barrel with double base powders.

I have to double check, I think that seating depth test was Varget but I don't remember at the moment. May have been AR comp.

 

[Andy Legg]

Go to load with 80 SMK for me is Lake City Brass, Federal 205M Primer over 24.5 Grains of Shooters World Tactical. COAL 2.430-2.440”

This launches at just under 2850 from a 1/7 WOA 20” barrel. Still going around 1750 fps at 600 yards.

 

[RegionRat]

Just single shots looking for pressure. I suppose you can see a flat spot or two in there but I keep hearing that number of shots isn't really statistally relevant. I was getting better velocity at the top of the Varget charges, not as hot either. Can feel a difference in temp on the barrel with double base powders.

I have to double check, I think that seating depth test was Varget but I don't remember at the moment. May have been AR comp.

Not going to open the Pandora's Box of "flat spots", but when they are discussing single shot ladders and looking for flat spots, try not to get sucked into that swirl. Chasing "velocity flat spots" was a fad on the internet and YouTube that wasn't doing anybody any favors.

What you should be looking for is any evidence that the groups close down at any particular speeds and then hope the width of that good performance is wide enough to forgive little errors or weather changes.

What I will say is that if the loads were not grouping, sometimes but not always, the speed stats give us a clue about the cause. For example, if some problem in the loading details were causing a noisy ES/SD issue, it could be a clue as to why you are not getting tighter groups. Just don't make the mistake of getting fixated on the chronograph when you are supposed to be focused on the targets.

Charge tolerance, brass prep, and assembly workmanship, etc., all have to be decent in order to have decent groups with the SMK 80, or any other bullet for that matter. You should have no problems getting 300 yard groups with this bullet, but you have to start doing above average in loading discipline to get down below 0.5 MOA waterlines at 600.

 

[jlorenzo]

Not going to open the Pandora's Box of "flat spots", but when they are discussing single shot ladders and looking for flat spots, try not to get sucked into that swirl. Chasing "velocity flat spots" was a fad on the internet and YouTube that wasn't doing anybody any favors.

What you should be looking for is any evidence that the groups close down at any particular speeds and then hope the width of that good performance is wide enough to forgive little errors or weather changes.

What I will say is that if the loads were not grouping, sometimes but not always, the speed stats give us a clue about the cause. For example, if some problem in the loading details were causing a noisy ES/SD issue, it could be a clue as to why you are not getting tighter groups. Just don't make the mistake of getting fixated on the chronograph when you are supposed to be focused on the targets.

Charge tolerance, brass prep, and assembly workmanship, etc., all have to be decent in order to have decent groups with the SMK 80, or any other bullet for that matter. You should have no problems getting 300 yard groups with this bullet, but you have to start doing above average in loading discipline to get down below 0.5 MOA waterlines at 600.

Thats what I was saying, flat spots found shooting single rounds aren't really anything to look at. I do agree bullets like to be at certain speeds then everything comes together. I had the 77s shooting pretty nicely so I assumed the 80s would do well but no such luck so far. Still need to try jumping though, maybe another powder or two.