I haven't seen much feedback about Sierra's 125 SMK. I've done a little work up with 8208 and the results were decent, though not great. Rifle is a JP PSC-12, 16", 1/10 twist. I shoot a lot of 3 gun, so the 125 is desirable for its performance over regular 3 gun distances (typically out to around 3-400 yards for a major match). Has anyone else had good luck with them?
125 smk 308
- Thread starter rboyes
- Start date
Never tried the 308 125gr SMK's, as it's a newer design made for the likes of cases more the size of the 300 Blackout. However, I've shot more than a few 135gr SMK's out of a .308 Winny, and I've found them to be accurate over 49 grs of H4895 in a Winchester case, Fed 210M primer for 3054 FPS from a 23" Heavy barreled Sako A fine load out to 500 yds or so..
Thanks for the reply. I'd like to try some H4895, Benchmark, and H335; they seem like they produce good results with a light bullet. I have Varget, MR2000, and BLC2 on hand but they are fairly slow for such a light bullet. The best 8208 load gave me about 1.6" 10 shot group @100 yards, going about 2900fps from my 16" barrel.
I went to the .30BR for 200-250yd matches, and chose the 125SMK. With a moderate charge (30-31gr) of IMR-4198 in a 20" barrel it is both accurate and docile.
I later substituted with the 125gr Pro Hunter SPFB, which is both cheaper and much more easily found. Shoots about identical, not bad at all for a hunting bullet.
I will be experimenting with the 125 Pro Hunter in the 7.62x54R for my diminutive Granddaughter, who has trouble with the surplus loading's recoil in our Mosin Nagant 91/30's. She's 17, 5' 2", about 115lb, and currently headed for college in September.
I have heard good things about the 135SMK in the .308 for the rapid fire stage.
Greg
I later substituted with the 125gr Pro Hunter SPFB, which is both cheaper and much more easily found. Shoots about identical, not bad at all for a hunting bullet.
I will be experimenting with the 125 Pro Hunter in the 7.62x54R for my diminutive Granddaughter, who has trouble with the surplus loading's recoil in our Mosin Nagant 91/30's. She's 17, 5' 2", about 115lb, and currently headed for college in September.
I have heard good things about the 135SMK in the .308 for the rapid fire stage.
Greg
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i get very good results with these 125 SMK in my 300 blackout with a good charge of lil'gun.
cheers.
cheers.
My dad swears by that cocktail for his deer load. I have some Speer 125 TNT' s for him to try next.
The Speer 125g TNT in the 500 bulk pack (little plastic ammo cans) is one of my favorite High Power 308 'reduced course' 100-200 yard bullets. Inexpensive and accurate, I shot a lot of these with a light load of IMR 4895 or 4064.
It's a varmint bullet, and I never tried on deer but suspect would not perform as well as 125 NBT - I am thinking TNT would have explosive expansion but not enough penetration.
Agreed, but when you are culling does and shoot them at the base of the skull, it's not really an issue.
I've been playing with the 125gr SMK and IMR 8208 combo over the last few weeks and finally settled on a load after more OCW testing. I've been using Lake City brass with 47.1gr 8208 with an OAL of 2.800, which just fits in my pmags plus a little wiggle room for any slightly longer meplats.
This combo gave me 2950fps out of my 16" JP. I did a 10 shot group (Vortex 6-24, Atlas bipod, rear bag while prone) that came in at 1.3". Not sure if I pulled the bottom two or if it was the load. Although the brass was all Lake City, it was varying years. I did sort by neck concentricity (kept it at .003" or less). The remaining 8 shots were .75".
This combo gave me 2950fps out of my 16" JP. I did a 10 shot group (Vortex 6-24, Atlas bipod, rear bag while prone) that came in at 1.3". Not sure if I pulled the bottom two or if it was the load. Although the brass was all Lake City, it was varying years. I did sort by neck concentricity (kept it at .003" or less). The remaining 8 shots were .75".
