I burned through another 60 rounds at a local steel match 10 days ago from 220 out to 835 yards. I would have won my 'class' if they bothered to have a .223 class (which they don't ). Then I burned through another 50 rounds playing around with some new loads last weekend at 200, 520, 690 and 950. This Sunday's another local match that should use up another 60 rounds. The prarie dogs are starting to wake up too. Even with .223 I might be rebarreling once a year. You just get in a LOT more shooting before you do.
@Tunnuh, If you try the 95 SMK and throat to maintain your case capacity and avoid the neck/shoulder junction, you're basically going all-in on that bullet and you'll require almost all of the OAL a short action can supply. The bearing length is such that if the 95 does not shoot the next best option (90gr VLD) basically won't fit in the neck at the lands... Read this stuff
When I called Sierra they said that they shot the 95 in a .22-250 to a little more than 3000fps. They said at similar velocities and my elevation (3500'+) I could likely use a 7 twist. Cold days at sea level at .223 Rem velocities and I'd argue for a 6.5 twist. My sample of 95 SMKs average 1.285" oal. You can SWAG a velocity and plug it into Berger's stability calculator.
@Tunnuh, If you try the 95 SMK and throat to maintain your case capacity and avoid the neck/shoulder junction, you're basically going all-in on that bullet and you'll require almost all of the OAL a short action can supply. The bearing length is such that if the 95 does not shoot the next best option (90gr VLD) basically won't fit in the neck at the lands... Read this stuff
When I called Sierra they said that they shot the 95 in a .22-250 to a little more than 3000fps. They said at similar velocities and my elevation (3500'+) I could likely use a 7 twist. Cold days at sea level at .223 Rem velocities and I'd argue for a 6.5 twist. My sample of 95 SMKs average 1.285" oal. You can SWAG a velocity and plug it into Berger's stability calculator.
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