Need data, Sierra manual has no 77 gr SMK data for a bolt action

[Linko]

I have called sierra and they say they didnt know the 77 would be so successful in bolt actions. Maybe next issue of their manual will have bolt action data for the 77's.

77gr AR data range for Varget is 22.6 - 23.9. I read people running over 24gr in AR's.

What range of Varget load are people using fo a 30" target action bolt gun?

Thanks

 

[Dans40X]

Start w/ the mouse gun loads & work up in 1/2 grain increments & let the barrel tell you what it likes.

Ditch the Varget & run some IMR 4895/IMR 4064 or VV 135/140 in your bolt gun & don't look back!

 

[memo43]

How far out can load them, or are you limited to mag length, I know you stated 30" barrel. Also what is your twist.
I load 77's and 80's I have had pretty good success with 4064, Varget, imr 4895 as well as 8208. I might even try some tac

 

[Baddog0302]

Like MEMO asked, what twist does the Bbl. have ? and have you tried seeing how far out you can seat the 77's or can you touch the lands?? You will need at least a 1-9, and a 1-8 would be better,
WHY a 30" tube ??
To answer your Varget question, Nosler lists 22.0 th 24.0 with their 77 BTHP, but they also show it loaded to 2.26 OAL
I 've got my best results out of a Savage with 77's using VVN 140, VVN 135 and 4064 in that order

? what part of FLA.??

 

[Linko]

This rifle is a single round target savage model 12 ftr with 1:7 twist

CBTO for this rifle is:
77 SMK 2.970
80 SMK 2.995
80 Berger VLD 2.945

 

[barefooter56]

Linko,
Use the .223 or SERVICE RIFLE data. Not the 5.56x45 . Start at minimum and work up.

 

[Baddog0302]

This rifle is a single round target savage model 12 ftr with 1:7 twist

CBTO for this rifle is:
77 SMK 2.970
80 SMK 2.995
80 Berger VLD 2.945

CBTO ???
my measurements with the 77 & 80 SMK's sitting in a case with just the BT in the case are;
77, 2,628" OAL and 2.690" OAL woth the 80

 

[akajun]

I would be more concerned with what chamber the gun has than its type of operation, mainly does it have a .223 Rem chamber , .223 wylde, or some other specialty match chamber. If it is a wylde chamber I would use service rifle/ ar data. .223 remington, back it down a grain and work up.
BTW, 77's like Jump, its what they were designed for, load them to mag length, dont try to chase the throat

 

[Linko]

I would be more concerned with what chamber the gun has than its type of operation, mainly does it have a .223 Rem chamber , .223 wylde, or some other specialty match chamber. If it is a wylde chamber I would use service rifle/ ar data. .223 remington, back it down a grain and work up.
BTW, 77's like Jump, its what they were designed for, load them to mag length, dont try to chase the throat

This rifle is a single round bolt action target .223 F TR target rifle. No magazine.

CBTO ( cartridge base to ogive) was measured with hornady tool.

 

[memilanuk]

Linko,

Don't bother wasting your time with 77gn bullets designed for mag-length loads in a 30" bolt gun. Get some Berger 80.5 or 82gn BTs or S80MKs, that are designed for slow-fire, single-load use. You'll be much, much happier, especially in any kind of breeze.

FWIW, they (used to) come with a Wylde chamber, as far as I know. Maybe not my first choice for a purpose-built single-shot bolt gun, but it works pretty well.

YMMV,

Monte

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

I'll agree with Monte; the 77SMK is simply not comparable to the 80s in any wind, at any distance. You can get the 80's to 1000 yards solidly supersonic, the 77s will be iffy. The appeal of the 77 is that they are the heaviest .224 bullets that can be loaded to mag length in .223. This is a characteristic that you do not need.

As for chamber, it doesn't matter what you have as long as you can seat the 80gr with having to jam them hard into the rifling. When I was shooting them at 1000 yards, I loaded my 80JLK or 80SMK right at the lands and your measurements indicate to me that you should be able to do that.

The Wylde/NATO chamber thing is really for ARs that shoot semi-auto for the timed courses. A single load bolt action doesn't need the loosey goosey Wylde or NATO chamber, but you still need a longer throat that the regular .223 Remington for the long bullets. You seem to have that.

Good luck.

(Oh, and I was loading 25.5gr of Varget behind my 80s for the 1000 yard matches. The cartridge was very long.)

 

[hogan]

New 77 tipped SMKs have the BC of the previous 80gr. That said, with right twist can shoot anything from your bolt rifle.

Winter 2009 in the publication of Canada's Dominion Rifle Club, there was an article on 90gr .223rem bolt gun results at 1000yds. Vertical strings of 2" was the norm in groups of 15 or 20rds on target. 1:6.5 twist...

8 twist Tikka T-3 is a very well-rounded firearm.
If you are a member of the National Match boards, there is lots of data on the Service Rifle board.
Might also give a look at Glen Zediker's AR books and his Competitive Loading book.

 

[Linko]

You can get the 80's to 1000 yards solidly supersonic, the 77s will be iffy.
As for chamber, it doesn't matter what you have as long as you can seat the 80gr with having to jam them hard into the rifling. When I was shooting them at 1000 yards, I loaded my 80JLK or 80SMK right at the lands and your measurements indicate to me that you should be able to do that.

Good luck.

(Oh, and I was loading 25.5gr of Varget behind my 80s for the 1000 yard matches. The cartridge was very long.)

Great that is where it looks like I am right now. I picked up a box of Berger 80 VLD's and loaded some with a range of Varget. I will run 100yd tests and see where I am. I also bought a box of factory federal with 80gr Sierra to see how they measured and chambered. They have a CBTO in the range of under my max CBTO chamber measurements and chamber without any bolt effort. So it should be the right path as you have noted with the 80's. This will be my first hand loads for this rifle. I have been shooting 200yds with factory fed gold medal and blackhills 77's up to now.
Thanks