223 Remington; 80g SMK vs. 82g Berger

[glock24]

I was planning on loading an 80 grain SMK for my newest build in 223 Remington. I hope to get at least 2750 fps out of my shorter barrel.

On paper, the 80g SMK requires 12.9 mils to a 1000 meters, and drifts 3.7 mils in a 10mph cross-wind.

By comparison, the 82g Berger only requires 12.3 mils to a 1000 meters, and drifts 3.4 mils in the same wind.

So the 82g non-VLD Berger looks like has a higher BC, and won't require seating into the lands, which is why I'm not shooting the 80g A-Max or the 80g Berger VLD.

Anyone have experience with this 82g Berger? Does it run as good as the overwhelmingly popular 80g SMK?

Thanks

 

[Niles Coyote]

Re: 223 Remington; 80g SMK vs. 82g Berger

I have not shoot the 80smk or 82 berger yet, so I cant advise. How long is your barrel? I have been running 80grain; berger, a-max and jlk. Getting 2775-2800 with a 21" rock barrel w/ varget. FWIW

 

[glock24]

Re: 223 Remington; 80g SMK vs. 82g Berger

I'll be running an 18" Bartlein. I'm going to start with H4895 to hopefully give me a more complete burn in my short barrel.

I have some 80g SMKs to test, and just want to know if the 82g Berger is a good option to test also.

 

[Niles Coyote]

Re: 223 Remington; 80g SMK vs. 82g Berger

Sounds like a sweet, handy rifle. If it’s any consolation, berger has always out performed smk’s and nosler CC’s for me. Just cant always afford them...

 

[TrapperT]

Re: 223 Remington; 80g SMK vs. 82g Berger

I shoot the 82gr Bergers from my 20" MSTN Super Sam upper. The bergers have shot really well but I use N540 at 24.6 gr using Lapua brass. This nets me about 2750fps. From a 200 yard zero, I'll dial in 31.5 MOA at 1000 (75 degrees F). In terms of performance, I would say it is very close to my 308 shooting 155 Scenars. I have not shoot the 80n SMK's but I would not discount them and if you can get them easier, shoot them. FWIW

 

[glock24]

Re: 223 Remington; 80g SMK vs. 82g Berger

I hear good things about Viht N540, but I was concerned it would burn too slowly for my 18" barrel. N540 is supposed to burn even slower than Varget.

How'd you arrive at N540 for your 20" gas gun? Was it the most accurate? Do you think you're giving up velocity when compared to a faster powder?

Lastly, I'm curious to know if these 82 grainers can be loaded to mag-length, or are you single-loading them?

 

[TrapperT]

Re: 223 Remington; 80g SMK vs. 82g Berger

I used N540 per my conversations with Shawn McKenna. I have also heard great things about how clean it is which I can vouch for. The accuracy has been very good (easily 1/2 MOA at 100yds) with N540 and recently I tried N140 (new lot) and it performed just as well. I load the 82 Bergers about .015" off the lands and single load them.

In my opinion, you need to shot the slower powders for the heavier bullets. In reality, I don't think Varget is that much faster and I don't think you're going to shoot them faster using it. If I remember correctly, I tested Varget in a friends 20" AR and the velocities were comparable but definitely not any faster. N540 and N140 are smaller grains and I don't get the crushing of powder that I get when using Varget.

My only issue with N540 and N140 is temperature sensitivity. It is awful? No, but it is not a Hodgdon extreme powder.

 

[glock24]

Re: 223 Remington; 80g SMK vs. 82g Berger

Thanks.

I run Varget in my 308, so I guess I can give that a try next if I don't like what H4895 does in my rifle.

My brother shoots N540 with 80g SMKs from his 26" McGowen. He claims awesome accuracy and single digit ES numbers. I'll have to tell him about the potential temp stability problems. Ironically, he refuses to use Varget because he says he reads that Varget isn't that temp stable in 223 Remington.

I guess I'll just have to experiment myself.

 

[Niles Coyote]

Re: 223 Remington; 80g SMK vs. 82g Berger

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: glock24</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Ironically, he refuses to use Varget because he says he reads that Varget isn't that temp stable in 223 Remington. </div></div>

I will have to check into that, I have good numbers at 24 degrees.

 

[ChrisGarrett]

Re: 223 Remington; 80g SMK vs. 82g Berger

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Niles Coyote</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: glock24</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Ironically, he refuses to use Varget because he says he reads that Varget isn't that temp stable in 223 Remington. </div></div>

I will have to check into that, I have good numbers at 24 degrees. </div></div>

I don't think the knock on Varget is its temp sensitivity, but in the past, it's been lot to lot variances.

Chris