Shoots Smaller Smk 77 verses 80 smk?

[urbanrifleman]

Here is the test load we shot. I made 100 of the 22.5 and 100 of the 23.5.




When we first arrived at the range it was blowing from the 2 0clock at about 5-8 MPH. By the time we finished it was blowing 15-20. I was really impressed how well these little 80s ripped through the conditions.

The 22.5 load was 2776 fps. Total spead was about 15 fps.
The 23.5 load was 2890 fps. Spread about the same.

We never conclusively determined with one of the two shot better. It was basically a dead heat.

My Buddy Kip shot a bunch of groups. This was the smallest. His barrel was broken in completely. My barrel was brand new and so was my wife's.



I broke mine in shooting 5 Tubb TMS bullets and stated banging away. It was shooting right from the jump. This was going to be my screamer group but I lost one in a wind shift. That one is four in one hole and the flyer. Still about .350", but could have been sub .1". Considering the HORRIBLE wind, this crazy impressive to me.



This was the first groups for my brand new barrel after shooting the 5 Tubb bullets and two sighters.

 

[ELR LVR]

From my experience meausring run out back in the day, I think crooked brass is made crooked. From the factory. It has residual stresses in it, and shooting cycles of hot and cold don't improve it.

Again, from my experience, good brass is straight, and crap brass is crooked.

Padom is correct man
It's from the FL sizing operation
Thats why many guys use mandrels after.
Instead of a sizing button which is like a round ball only rolls the brass outward by touching tangentially at one inside point, and by doing so allows the neck to stay crooked.
A Mandrel is LONG so forces the neck straight, like using a pipe instead of a ball.
I like to use these instead of mandrels (for whatever reason)
Get yerself a few calibers of these Hornady Neck sizing dies
Notice the shape of the strem
LONG and straight and smoothly tapered which straightens out the necks by forcing them straight
--------------------------------------
When I form 260 out of 308 brass, I get .005" to .010" runout on the JUST THE brass alone (No bullet yet)
Immediately after I run it through this neck sizing die, .000 - .002" runout
The stem straightens them out just like a mandrel does.

 

[ELR LVR]

Make sure you know if you get some that they are not the "expander ball/button" type
I tried to find a part # for you but couldn't be certain as I only have the part numbers for mine.
but I'm sure Midway has them and easy returns if it's not right.
Here is a link to Hornady's match grade bushing dies.

Match™ Grade Bushing Dies - Hornady Manufacturing, Inc

Match™ Grade Bushing Dies Get match-winning performance from your press with Hornady® Match™ Grade dies. Hornady® Match™ Grade Dies give you total control over neck tension in the resizing process. These dies feature the ability to use interc...

www.hornady.com

 

[DR_2297]

FWIW

Lapua Scenar L > 77 SMK

Berger 80.5 > 80 SMK

 

[RegionRat]

77s and 80s are capable of producing good precision and pinpoint accuracy behind an excellent trigger puller. LC OFB brass bulk processed through D1050. Ammo loaded using RCBS single stage press. 77s from 200 standing through 300 yards prone. 80s at 600. 20 inch Bartlein donated by @FrankG 4.5X March scope. Sling.

View attachment 1646621

Well Done!!!
I can appreciate the rarity of that offhand score!

 

[Gary in MD]

Brad, did you get a

I'll get some and we will shoot them.

Brad, did you get a chance to shoot any of the 77 TMKs yet?

 

[urbanrifleman]

Brad, did you get a

Brad, did you get a chance to shoot any of the 77 TMKs yet?

I'll get some this week.