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F T/R Competition 155.5 gr or 175gr SMK's at 600+ yards ?

Coyotejunki

Private
Full Member
Minuteman
Nov 18, 2004
38
15
62
St. Louis, MO
My 308 with a 1-10 twist, 28" barrel, shoots the newer 155.5 Palma bullets and the 175gr SMKs both pretty good with me yanking the trigger. I believe the 155's are going about 2900 fps. I dial up 13" for 600 yards with a 100 yard zero.

I have only shot the 175's out to 200, so I don't really have a dope for them @ 600 yet. I haven't chrono'd them either. I am going to used 42.5 of H4895 for the 175's because it groups better than Varget for me in this rifle.

Do you think the 175's will handle the wind better for me at 600+ ? I would like to use these for a local F/TR match this Thursday.

Realistically, I have no visions of grandeur of cleaning up, since I am so new to F/TR, but actually hope to keep them all in the black and basically have a "good time" getting my feet wet so to speak.
 
Re: 155.5 gr or 175gr SMK's at 600+ yards ?

Not sure what the BC is on the SIE 175 MK, but I would say the the Fullbore bullets @ 600 yards would be neck and neck with them and could possibly out perform them at that ddistance. The G7 is listed as being .237 for the Fullbore 155.5 bullet. If I remember correctly, Sierra does not list a G7 BC number for their bullets and using a G7 number will give closer to correct calculations when figuring the ballistics for a boat-tail style bullet.
 
Re: 155.5 gr or 175gr SMK's at 600+ yards ?

23.5 seems VERY light. Did you mean 43.5?

Your best bet is to try them both. Without knowing the actual velocity of both loads, you're just SWAGGING.
 
Re: 155.5 gr or 175gr SMK's at 600+ yards ?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: tylerw02</div><div class="ubbcode-body">23.5 seems VERY light. Did you mean 43.5?
</div></div>

I meant 42.5, my goof, I'll correct the above
 
Re: 155.5 gr or 175gr SMK's at 600+ yards ?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SIE107</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Not sure what the BC is on the SIE 175 MK, but I would say the the Fullbore bullets @ 600 yards would be neck and neck with them and could possibly out perform them at that ddistance. The G7 is listed as being .237 for the Fullbore 155.5 bullet.</div></div>

Bryan Litz lists the 175 SMK at .243 G7. They're very close, but given your experience with the Palmas at that distance, the confidence factor and already having your dope may give the lighter bullet an edge for you for the short term.
 
Re: 155.5 gr or 175gr SMK's at 600+ yards ?

Well if the BC's are close together, it would seem to me the faster bullet would be the inside one.
 
Re: 155.5 gr or 175gr SMK's at 600+ yards ?

You have to run 175s very, very fast to shoot inside a garden-variety 155. I can get 2840 from S155MK (2156) out of a 20" factory tube without any problem... I'd have to get over 2700 out of a S175MK to shoot inside that. You might be able to punt a Berger 175 (with a higher BC) fast enough (2800+) from a long (30") barrel to make it worth doing. With 185s and above... the situation starts to change rapidly the other way.

That said... the S175MK and others like it (H178AMax, etc) might shoot enough better in your particular gun - if so, pure accuracy can make up for a certain amount of raw BC.
 
Re: 155.5 gr or 175gr SMK's at 600+ yards ?

I will be at the match on thursday at STL.

I have shot both the 175SMK's and the 155SMK's at 600 there. I run the 155's about 2950 and the 175's about 2750. Running them side by side there isn't much of a difference to me at 600. You may gain a little on your drift shooting the 175's if they were going 2750++ but you are probably running 2650ish and you probably would not gain much if any at that velocity. with a 175 running 2650ish I would put 15-16 minutes on it and throw one downrange, should get you close.

see you there

-Aaron
 
Re: 155.5 gr or 175gr SMK's at 600+ yards ?

Aaron,

I am going to try to get there early enough, to throw a few down range before everything starts. If not, no big deal.

I believe Steve S said I could do this.

I was guessing my dope about the same as you stated being I am shooting 13 MOA up from 100 with the 155.5's
 
Re: 155.5 gr or 175gr SMK's at 600+ yards ?

I have shot both the 155 Lapuas and 175 MKs from 500 to 1000yds many times and based my loads, the 175 gives you an edge on wind drift from 500 to 1000. I would consider my loads medium hot, as I need to allow a little room for pressure when shooting in the hot Texas sun. Both are great bullets. I shot the 175 Berger BT target load in F-Class at the recent TSRA mid range championship (this year all 600yds) and they shot well. I plan to shoot the Berger 185 BT target load in F-Class for the TSRA long range championship (shooting 800/900/1000) F-Class barrel is 30" Obermeyer in 5-R and 1x11 twist.
 
Re: 155.5 gr or 175gr SMK's at 600+ yards ?

Try both and see which you and your rifle shoot better. I've never been able to get the 155s to shoot for me. Others have different experiences.
 
Re: 155.5 gr or 175gr SMK's at 600+ yards ?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Coyotejunki</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Aaron,

I am going to try to get there early enough, to throw a few down range before everything starts. If not, no big deal.

I believe Steve S said I could do this.

I was guessing my dope about the same as you stated being I am shooting 13 MOA up from 100 with the 155.5's </div></div>

Yeah there will be a sight in period at the beginning of the match before the first match. You will have time.
 
Re: 155.5 gr or 175gr SMK's at 600+ yards ?

I prefer 155 pills in a .308. If I do shoot 175s, they won't be SMKs as there are superior 175 grainers out there. I have tried to compare the 175 Berger VLDs to the 155 Scenars on a few occasions and have never seen an advantage with the 175s.

If I had equally accurate loads with each, I would grab the 155s and never look back.
 
Re: 155.5 gr or 175gr SMK's at 600+ yards ?

I would agree that there are now better 175 class bullets out there. I am shooting the Hornady 178BTHP these days. Better BC, shoots the same load, for the same or better price.
 
Re: 155.5 gr or 175gr SMK's at 600+ yards ?

I was pretty happy overall this morning. Ended up just shooting the 175 SMK's at 600. Found my dope to be 14.25" high at 100 compared to 13" with the 155.5's.

Shot an 8 right out of the gate and two nines, conditions were really nice and was even graced with some 10's and X's.

Then it was my turn to pull butts and score. When I shot my second string, conditions changed, and my score was less impressive. I need to learn this mirage and wind reading stuff. Left and right, I just couldn't seem to put many in the 10 ring, and X's were real uncommon in this round.
smile.gif


However, I went there to have fun, and get some free school'in. Got both, so now I'll look forward to the next match next month.
 
Re: 155.5 gr or 175gr SMK's at 600+ yards ?

shot my first f-class at a k yesterday using 175 smk's. loading 42.3 grs imr4064, 5 shot group in 17mph wind measured 11 3/16''.
 
Re: 155.5 gr or 175gr SMK's at 600+ yards ?

Hey something else you might wanna try is the 175 gr barnes match burners. So far out of my Shilen barreled savage they have smoked 175 SMK 178 BTHP and barely the 178 AMAX from 100-600yds. Im going to go back to the range this see what the 175 will do in a second ladder test. i will post results when I get them.
 
Re: 155.5 gr or 175gr SMK's at 600+ yards ?

what load did you use with Varget and the smk175's?
 
Re: 155.5 gr or 175gr SMK's at 600+ yards ?

Kevlar if you are asking me I ran a ladder test with Varget 40.5-45 gr for the 175's and the Match burner did better in every department. As I said I will post some clearer results this weekend.
 
Re: 155.5 gr or 175gr SMK's at 600+ yards ?

You may consider for .30 Berger 175 LRBT.


I shot this bullet for 800 yards.

Les Baer Ultimate Recon Bolt Rifle in .308 win
24" Barrel (RH 1:10" tw)
Lapua Brass
CCI BR-2
43.0 of Varget
COL = 2.810"
MV = 2,648 fps.
SD = 6.9



My shooting range was nearing the beach. So, wind always change. Will try another .30 Berger 185 LRBT for the next match.
 
Re: 155.5 gr or 175gr SMK's at 600+ yards ?

here you go...from another post I wrote up

Finally got back to this...I am having very good luck with this load in 308.

TAC....

5 shots - 200 yards in bad mirage at Burro at far right, causing me to fling one high. OAL = 2.725. Some pressure signs as this is a max load. 2700 fps on the chrony

tikka200ydgroupphoto.jpg


800 - 900 and 1000 yard score card with same load, but lengthened to 2.835, no pressure signs, but lower velocity as the clicks did not match up to the data points for 2700...

Disclaimer, NRA 1000 yard standard slow fire prone target, but I used a stock Tikka Tactical 308 with a muzzle brake and a Nightforce BR scope 8 x 32 x 56 at 22 setting. Hence, I was out of class and should have been using a F class target, but I wasn't shooting for record as I had the muzzle brake.

scorecard8009001000yardwhitedout84120001.jpg


TAC meters well and shoots well, it has anti fouling additives, and is not too temperature sensitive...yes, the herd loves Varget, but Varget meters like crap on a dillon

<span style="font-weight: bold"> 175 G SMK 12 MPH CROSSWIND 2700 FPS 43.5 TAC MAX LOAD </span>
*Range* Drop Drop Wind. Wind. *Veloc.* Energy*
(yards) (in) (&#8539;clk) (in) (&#8539;clk) (fps) (ft-lbs)
**100 0 0 0.43 3 2621 2669
**200 -2.06 -8 1.74 7 2541 2508
**253 &#8593; -4.94 -15 2.76 8 2500 2427
**300 -8.73 -22 3.93 10 2462 2355
**400 -20.31 -39 7.07 13 2384 2209
**500 -37.15 -57 11.18 17 2308 2070
**600 -59.63 -76 16.31 21 2234 1938
**700 -88.13 -96 22.53 25 2161 1814
**800 -123.09 -118 29.87 29 2089 1695
**900 -164.99 -140 38.41 33 2018 1583
**1000 -214.34 -164 48.2 37 1949 1476



<span style="font-weight: bold">Bullet Trajectory NO WIND 175 G SMK 43.5 TAC MAX LOAD</span>
*Range* Drop Drop Wind. Wind. *Veloc.* Energy*
(yards) (in) (&#8539;clk) (in) (&#8539;clk) (fps) (ft-lbs)
**100 0 0 0.07 1 2621 2669
**200 -2.81 -11 0.26 1 2541 2508
**235 &#8593; -4.97 -16 0.35 1 2514 2455
**300 -11 -28 0.57 1 2462 2355
**400 -24.93 -48 0.99 2 2384 2209
**500 -44.98 -69 1.54 2 2308 2070
**600 -71.55 -91 2.21 3 2234 1938
**700 -105.09 -115 3.03 3 2161 1814
**800 -146.07 -139 3.99 4 2089 1695
**900 -195.03 -166 5.11 4 2019 1583
**1000 -252.51 -193 6.39 5 1949 1476


<span style="font-weight: bold"> 175 G SMK 8 MPH CROSSWIND 2700 FPS 43.5 G TAC MAX LOAD </span>
*Range* Drop Drop Wind. Wind. *Veloc.* Energy*
(yards) (in) (&#8539;clk) (in) (&#8539;clk) (fps) (ft-lbs)
**100 0 0 0.31 2 2621 2669
**200 -2.31 -9 1.24 5 2541 2508
**247 &#8593; -4.99 -15 1.89 6 2504 2437
**300 -9.49 -24 2.81 7 2462 2355
**400 -21.85 -42 5.04 10 2384 2209
**500 -39.76 -61 7.96 12 2308 2070
**600 -63.6 -81 11.61 15 2234 1938
**700 -93.78 -102 16.03 17 2161 1814
**800 -130.75 -125 21.24 20 2089 1695
**900 -175 -149 27.31 23 2018 1583
**1000 -227.06 -173 34.26 26 1949 1476
 
Re: 155.5 gr or 175gr SMK's at 600+ yards ?

Awesome brother. You may get better result from 175 LRBT which have a higer BC.


I also use 175 SMK for practice due to lower cost than Berger Bullets.



What freebore that use use with this rifle?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bubbapug1</div><div class="ubbcode-body">here you go...from another post I wrote up

Finally got back to this...I am having very good luck with this load in 308.

TAC....

5 shots - 200 yards in bad mirage at Burro at far right, causing me to fling one high. OAL = 2.725. Some pressure signs as this is a max load. 2700 fps on the chrony

tikka200ydgroupphoto.jpg


800 - 900 and 1000 yard score card with same load, but lengthened to 2.835, no pressure signs, but lower velocity as the clicks did not match up to the data points for 2700...

Disclaimer, NRA 1000 yard standard slow fire prone target, but I used a stock Tikka Tactical 308 with a muzzle brake and a Nightforce BR scope 8 x 32 x 56 at 22 setting. Hence, I was out of class and should have been using a F class target, but I wasn't shooting for record as I had the muzzle brake.

scorecard8009001000yardwhitedout84120001.jpg


TAC meters well and shoots well, it has anti fouling additives, and is not too temperature sensitive...yes, the herd loves Varget, but Varget meters like crap on a dillon

<span style="font-weight: bold"> 175 G SMK 12 MPH CROSSWIND 2700 FPS 43.5 TAC MAX LOAD </span>
*Range* Drop Drop Wind. Wind. *Veloc.* Energy*
(yards) (in) (&#8539;clk) (in) (&#8539;clk) (fps) (ft-lbs)
**100 0 0 0.43 3 2621 2669
**200 -2.06 -8 1.74 7 2541 2508
**253 &#8593; -4.94 -15 2.76 8 2500 2427
**300 -8.73 -22 3.93 10 2462 2355
**400 -20.31 -39 7.07 13 2384 2209
**500 -37.15 -57 11.18 17 2308 2070
**600 -59.63 -76 16.31 21 2234 1938
**700 -88.13 -96 22.53 25 2161 1814
**800 -123.09 -118 29.87 29 2089 1695
**900 -164.99 -140 38.41 33 2018 1583
**1000 -214.34 -164 48.2 37 1949 1476



<span style="font-weight: bold">Bullet Trajectory NO WIND 175 G SMK 43.5 TAC MAX LOAD</span>
*Range* Drop Drop Wind. Wind. *Veloc.* Energy*
(yards) (in) (&#8539;clk) (in) (&#8539;clk) (fps) (ft-lbs)
**100 0 0 0.07 1 2621 2669
**200 -2.81 -11 0.26 1 2541 2508
**235 &#8593; -4.97 -16 0.35 1 2514 2455
**300 -11 -28 0.57 1 2462 2355
**400 -24.93 -48 0.99 2 2384 2209
**500 -44.98 -69 1.54 2 2308 2070
**600 -71.55 -91 2.21 3 2234 1938
**700 -105.09 -115 3.03 3 2161 1814
**800 -146.07 -139 3.99 4 2089 1695
**900 -195.03 -166 5.11 4 2019 1583
**1000 -252.51 -193 6.39 5 1949 1476


<span style="font-weight: bold"> 175 G SMK 8 MPH CROSSWIND 2700 FPS 43.5 G TAC MAX LOAD </span>
*Range* Drop Drop Wind. Wind. *Veloc.* Energy*
(yards) (in) (&#8539;clk) (in) (&#8539;clk) (fps) (ft-lbs)
**100 0 0 0.31 2 2621 2669
**200 -2.31 -9 1.24 5 2541 2508
**247 &#8593; -4.99 -15 1.89 6 2504 2437
**300 -9.49 -24 2.81 7 2462 2355
**400 -21.85 -42 5.04 10 2384 2209
**500 -39.76 -61 7.96 12 2308 2070
**600 -63.6 -81 11.61 15 2234 1938
**700 -93.78 -102 16.03 17 2161 1814
**800 -130.75 -125 21.24 20 2089 1695
**900 -175 -149 27.31 23 2018 1583
**1000 -227.06 -173 34.26 26 1949 1476</div></div>