169 308 vs 6.5

[Caflashbob]

Anyone have any feedback on whether a 169 grain Sierra MKBTHP can shoot as accurately at 600 yards and up like a 6.5 creedmore load?

I assume the 168 answer would be no. Just wondered if the difference in the BC would make the 169 closer for distance shooting?

 

[b6graham]

they'll shoot the same in reality

maybe a tenth of wind difference

 

[nn8734]

My 700P shoots the 169 smk to 1000m using 11 mils and my 6.5 axmc used 10ish mils to 1000m w/130 Bergers. Wind for both was 1 mil w/left for 5mph wind.

 

[Caflashbob]

so instead of building a 6.5 creedmore the 169 7.62x51 is that close. Thanks. That’s what my looking around seemed to show

 

[bigjake83]

Why not use the 168 or 175 TMK's?

 

[DocRDS]

I'd check out a ballsitic calc, but spitballing, I'd say if you (or anyone but a VERY top level shooter) can shoot the difference, I'd be surprised. Even in 168. 600 yards both are supersonic easy--it would be all in your wind calls. yes they will have different values, but the true 'advantage' of the 6.5 is in BC. And if you look we only play with BC truing starting at 800/900 yards.

6.5 really starts to shine at 1000+ Its like a 300WM w/o the recoil. At 600 you haven't even come close to the mythical 800 yd 308 wall--out to 1000 I'd bet the Indian counts more.

Edit: Check out 175-185 grain boolits.

175 SMK is a good one. 178 ELD-M (Hornady) and my personal favorite (say it with me!!) JUGGIES!!!
185 Grain Berger Juggernauts.

 

[Gohring65]

600? Why not shove a 150 as fast as you can?
Edit: just seen you said “600 and up”
169 would be a good choice. I haven’t seen them in stock, admittedly I haven’t looked real hard though.
175-178 would be a logical choice. Don’t expect to blow the 6.5s away though, expect to be blown away often.

 

[michealj88]

I’ve had good luck with the 169gr. SMK in my Scar 20. The increased BC over the 168gr. is noticeable at extended ranges in my testing, and the accuracy is there, consistent MOA groups and no problem ringing steel out to 1000 yards. It does not keep up with the Creedmoor beyond 1000 though and it took me a while to find a load that gave me good accuracy and SD/ES numbers. These are my cards for my 169gr. load and for my 140gr. Hornady BTHP load with a 6.5 Creedmoor barrel, same rifle.

 

[Caflashbob]

I’ve had good luck with the 169gr. SMK in my Scar 20. The increased BC over the 168gr. is noticeable at extended ranges in my testing, and the accuracy is there, consistent MOA groups and no problem ringing steel out to 1000 yards. It does not keep up with the Creedmoor beyond 1000 though and it took me a while to find a load that gave me good accuracy and SD/ES numbers. These are my cards for my 169gr. load and for my 140gr. Hornady BTHP load with a 6.5 Creedmoor barrel, same rifle.

View attachment 7841300
View attachment 7841301

Very helpful. Does the 169 go past the 800 yard wall? Because they are still supersonic?

if you do not mind what load did you end up with in the 169’s?

will be berger 185’s shoot ok out of a 1 in 11” 17.6” barrel?

 

[nn8734]

Very helpful. Does the 169 go past the 800 yard wall? Because they are still supersonic?

if you do not mind what load did you end up with in the 169’s?

will be berger 185’s shoot ok out of a 1 in 11” 17.6” barrel?

The 169 goes beyond the 800 yard wall (~720 meters) better than the 175.

I really like it and its not jump sensitive and performs well in bolt and gas guns, extending max effective range by about 10% or so in my testing against the 175.

That said, The 308 is an 800m and in cartridge and the 169 provides a nice boost in hit probability beyond 600m over the legacy 168/175 in this regard but its not a wonder bullet that will turn your 308 into a 24-26” 6.5 creed pushing 140-147 class bullets, IMO.

Whether the Bergers will shoot well out of that barrel or not will depend on whether or not it likes that bullet.

 

[Supersubes]

so instead of building a 6.5 creedmore the 169 7.62x51 is that close. Thanks. That’s what my looking around seemed to show

Not that close imo. The exact amount depends on each combination though.

 

[PinesAndProjectiles]

If you’re asking about accuracy, then yes, why not?

 

[Davo308]

Interested in these for a k31.

25 inch barrel pushed by reloader 17.

 

[straightshooter1]

Interested in these for a k31.

25 inch barrel pushed by reloader 17.

Should work just fine, as long as there's enough freebore.

 

[GUNNER10]

Anyone have any feedback on whether a 169 grain Sierra MKBTHP can shoot as accurately at 600 yards and up like a 6.5 creedmore load?

I assume the 168 answer would be no. Just wondered if the difference in the BC would make the 169 closer for distance shooting?

At 600 yards, I don't think there is going to be a practical difference, With that being said, I feel like 6.5 MWS seems to group a little better than 308 MWS.

 

[DstRflMn645]

This was shot prone w/sling, M40A1 clone w/ 26” Kreiger 5R 1-11.25. #8 went off before position settled. Wind was around 15 mph from 5 o’clock to 7 o’clock. Velocity is around 2800 fps

 

[GUNNER10]

Anecdotally, I've found my LMT SS 6.5cm barrels shoot more consistently than their 308 counter part.

 

[502Chevelle]

I have personally talked to techs at Sierra that told me the 168smk was literally designed to shoot at 600 yds, so don’t be surprised when it really shines at that distance.

 

[DstRflMn645]

The 168 Sierra was originally called the International and was designed to shoot in 300 meter competition. Will it shoot at 600, yes, is it the best available, no. Either the 175 (BC of .505) or the 155 Palma (200 fps faster and BC of .504) or the 169 (faster than 175 and higher BC of .527) are better choices.

John

 

[Gohring65]

If all your shooting is 600 yards BC is good enough with all the match bullet choices.
Pick one the one that gives you the best group and SD and send it as fast as you can.

 

[memilanuk]

The 168 Sierra was originally called the International and was designed to shoot in 300 meter competition. Will it shoot at 600, yes, is it the best available, no. Either the 175 (BC of .505) or the 155 Palma (200 fps faster and BC of .504) or the 169 (faster than 175 and higher BC of .527) are better choices.

^ this. IIRC, the S168MK was designed for 300m UIT competition (centerfire version of Olympic 3P matches) back in the 50s or 60s. That it worked for HP Rifle out to 600 was a happy accident. It's still a good bullet, but there are better designs out there now.