New 6mm 110 gr SMK upcoming

[ASbobcat]

I'd love to see how they perform from an 8 twist

Ran the numbers through Berger's and JBM's stability calculators using a MV of 3000 fps and they agree on about 1.29 (1.5 recommended for adequate stability). This does not mean they won't work in your gun. I have found that these calculators don't always correlate with the real world.
Having said that, you are likely to sacrifice effective BC in an 8 twist barrel, as much as 7% according to Berger. That brings your effective BC to about .576. A tipped Berger 105 VLD (comparing apples to apples) will give you a BC of about .585, with no reduction in an 8 twist. And the Berger will likely have higher MV being 5gr lighter.
Berger cost about 32 cents vs 42 for the Sierra and the tipping only costs a small amount of my time.

Just some food for thought.

 

[dmoran]

@ASbobcat
42 for the Sierra is MSRP pricing. They'll be far less at the retailers.

Example:
107-SMK are $37.37 MSRP, but can buy them at Bullets.com for $27.95

 

[BoilerUP]

OK Weber shows the 500ct 110gr SMK @ $154.63...$0.31 per bullet.

PowderValley shows the 500ct 105 Hybrid @ $164.66...$0.33 per bullet. PVI also shows the 105gr VLD Hunting @ $156.31, pretty much $0.31 per bullet as well.

 

[swd]

Give them 6 months for the newness to wear off and the'll come down a bit more too.

I have a 7 twist Dasher, I can't wait to try some.

 

[Roarke]

Ran the numbers through Berger's and JBM's stability calculators using a MV of 3000 fps and they agree on about 1.29 (1.5 recommended for adequate stability). This does not mean they won't work in your gun. I have found that these calculators don't always correlate with the real world.
Having said that, you are likely to sacrifice effective BC in an 8 twist barrel, as much as 7% according to Berger. That brings your effective BC to about .576. A tipped Berger 105 VLD (comparing apples to apples) will give you a BC of about .585, with no reduction in an 8 twist. And the Berger will likely have higher MV being 5gr lighter.
Berger cost about 32 cents vs 42 for the Sierra and the tipping only costs a small amount of my time.

Just some food for thought.

I appreciate you running those numbers. The BC penalty of less than optimal twist rates is definitely worth considering.

 

[ASbobcat]

I appreciate you running those numbers. The BC penalty of less than optimal twist rates is definitely worth considering.

Just wanted to make others aware that, just because a bullet doesn't "keyhole" at 100yards, that doesn't mean it's optimal. That tiny wobble around the CG that you can't see on paper at 100yds can make a significant difference at 1000yds. There is good reason why Sierra recommends a twist rate of 7 "OR FASTER". They are the ones with the expensive test equipment and VERY experienced ballistic experts.
Berger, at least so far, has chosen to keep costs down and let the customer choose whether or not to tip/point. Their tech said they may be forced by the competition to offer a similar product. Customers will decide.

 

[BoilerUP]

Berger, at least so far, has chosen to keep costs down and let the customer choose whether or not to tip/point.

Did the price of 107 SMKs go up when they started being pointed, getting them within a single G7 point of the 105 Hybrid?

 

[ASbobcat]

@ASbobcat
42 for the Sierra is MSRP pricing. They'll be far less at the retailers.

Example:
107-SMK are $37.37 MSRP, but can buy them at Bullets.com for $27.95

Good point. I hadn't seen a retail price yet. This might be a good choice for 7 twist barrels.

 

[MOShooter]

Good point. I hadn't seen a retail price yet. This might be a good choice for 7 twist barrels.

There was a guy running them at the last match I shoot. He was running a 243ai at 3100. I spotted several stages. Those suckers were flat.

Scott

 

[JamesnTN]

I'm gonna test them in a 7.5 twist. I got 500 on there way 153.00 a box

 

[tclaunch]

My supplier still shows out of stock, but shouldn't be much longer. I'll start mine in a 8 twist vintage Brux, set back with Norma Dasher reamer. Precision Reloading has 500 count in stock now, but pricy.

 

[boltfluter]

My supplier still shows out of stock, but shouldn't be much longer. I'll start mine in a 8 twist vintage Brux, set back with Norma Dasher reamer. Precision Reloading has 500 count in stock now, but pricy.

Tim,
Looking forward to your testing and evaluation. Putting a 6XC together with an 8 twist Brux. Hoping this bullet will work for long range plinking. Keep us posted.

Paul

www.boltfluting.com

 

[tclaunch]

Tim,
Looking forward to your testing and evaluation. Putting a 6XC together with an 8 twist Brux. Hoping this bullet will work for long range plinking. Keep us posted.

Paul

www.boltfluting.com

Sure will Paul. That XC ought to make for a super nice platform !

 

[boltfluter]

Sure will Paul. That XC ought to make for a super nice platform !

Tim,

Just putting an ultra light hiking rifle to have along when I take the dogs for their daily hike. Was hiking about a month ago and being new to the area where I live, was shocked to jump a huge black bear sleeping under a crab apple tree. I was carrying a .22BR at the time. This happened at about 50 ads. So, I need something that will " take me out" in one shot if the need arises. Lol.

Paul

 

[Laurie]

Not something you'd ever encounter in an English wood (unless the bear escaped from a zoo). Hell, I think I'd be mighty nervous and tiptoe around it! Made me think of those wacky Gary Larson 'Farside' cartoons of the 80s that often featured bears in the woods.

 

[tclaunch]

Tim,

Just putting an ultra light hiking rifle to have along when I take the dogs for their daily hike. Was hiking about a month ago and being new to the area where I live, was shocked to jump a huge black bear sleeping under a crab apple tree. I was carrying a .22BR at the time. This happened at about 50 ads. So, I need something that will " take me out" in one shot if the need arises. Lol.

Paul

I had a chance to move out there with a job offer I got. My Dad just turned 95, and would never be able to leave right now. Bad timing, but who knows one day!! I know there are a lot of Libs out there, Hillary carried Oregon. Not sure I`d be welcome.

 

[boltfluter]

Tim,

I live in extreme Eastern Oregon, all cattle country, and all Republican up to the back side of the Cascade Mt. Range.
A totally different world than the Portland area, which is the
land of the fruit and nuts.

Paul

 

[Sheldon N]

Hey, there are a few of us holdouts on the west side of the Cascades.

 

[tclaunch]

I am glad you guys are out there spreading the logic.

 

[boltfluter]

Hey, there are a few of us holdouts on the west side of the Cascades.

My bad. Sheldon is the exception. Keep up the good fight.

Paul