Who is running the 80SMK in a .223Rem?

[Hengehold]

I shot 80gr SMK in a 1-8 twist for NRA high power competition and it shot very well at 600yds.

 

[Texas10]

I shot 80gr SMK in a 1-8 twist for NRA high power competition and it shot very well at 600yds.

What was your powder and primer of choice, and did you seat into or off the lands?

 

[Hengehold]

What was your powder and primer of choice, and did you seat into or off the lands?

80gr SMK naked
Reloader 15, 24.0 grains
Winchester brass
Fed 205M primer
I think they were jumping. Can’t recall for sure though.
Did not chrono them but they grouped very well

 

[BronzeArcher]

Won a few local matches and posted a couple 200s and 199s (F-Class) with the 80 SMK. 23 grains Varget, Lapua Brass, 2.465" OAL, BR-4 primers, 2850ish ft/s. Once the wind blows, scores drop. But this is a great beginner load for F-Class - accurate, affordable, and brass lasts and lasts.

Friends have posted 200-20x in high power with it.

 

[T.Rhodes]

Thank you for posting your results and load. And thank you especially for posting your barrel twist rate.

What altitude do you typically shoot? I'm at 980 above SL, and found my 80 SMKs were marginally stable in my CBI 8 twist. Maybe I just wasn't driving them hard enough.

I'm 5100 feet in Colorado, so there may be / are some differences. Also, since this earlier writing, I have gone to 24.5gr of Varget. Last F T/R match shot a 550 5X - not my best, but not the worst either. (Dang shifty wind - yeah that's it)

But with increased load I notice a little problem in seating and from 6.5 Guys video I learned about how settle the powder. I am now using a battery powered razor placed against the case to settle the powder.

 

[Hengehold]

I'm 5100 feet in Colorado, so there may be / are some differences. Also, since this earlier writing, I have gone to 24.5gr of Varget. Last F T/R match shot a 550 5X - not my best, but not the worst either. (Dang shifty wind - yeah that's it)

But with increased load I notice a little problem in seating and from 6.5 Guys video I learned about how settle the powder. I am now using a battery powered razor placed against the case to settle the powder.

Sounds like you should switch to a faster burning powder like H4895 maybe.

 

[1lnbrdg]

26.25 gr Varget with the 80 Sierra in my Palma rifle for 3,020 fps. No issues with primer pockets loosening yet.