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Range Report How far to shoot 168 SMK at roughly 2580fps?

Mr45auto

Private
Full Member
Minuteman
Jan 3, 2007
58
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55
Oregon City OR
Trying to decide if the ammo I currently have loaded is adequate for a class. Will be shooting at 2300' elevation and my load is a 168 SMK at about 2580fps. It's a very mild load with excellent brass life and great accuracy but I'm not sure it's gonna make the grade for long range use. One of my ballistic programs has it going transonic at around 900yds but another makes it to just past 1K.

Any input here? I havent really shot it for groups past 600.
 
Re: How far to shoot 168 SMK at roughly 2580fps?

At 2300' and below 80 deg.F you should be good to 800 with some degree of consistency.
JH
 
Re: How far to shoot 168 SMK at roughly 2580fps?

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<span style="font-size: 14pt">Need we say more......</span>
 
Re: How far to shoot 168 SMK at roughly 2580fps?

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

<span style="font-size: 14pt">Need we say more......</span> </div></div>

right click save
grin.gif
 
Re: How far to shoot 168 SMK at roughly 2580fps?

I dont know if I should laugh at that graph or heel kick myself in the balls...

I'm shooting 168gr AMAX at around 2580fps. 1000'+- ASL. Can get out to 1000yd from my 20" .308. Really need to do a propper chrono on my current load but it's pretty consistant out past 830M for me.

45gr AR2208
2.8" OAL
168gr AMAX moly coat
Federal brass once form fired
Federal match primers

Note that all my shooting past 500 meters is field shooting at wild viscious razor-clawed Australian beast where a hit is a hit, not out to shoot groups... So <span style="font-weight: bold">the best way is to take yours out and see how it goes!</span>
 
Re: How far to shoot 168 SMK at roughly 2580fps?

I watched a guy try to shoot 1k with a 168gr doing roughly 2550fps with 168gr. You know how when you see a handicap kid and you feel bad for them. That's about how I felt for him.

Casey
 
Re: How far to shoot 168 SMK at roughly 2580fps?

The 168gr SMK was built for 300m BR comps and you need to keep it supersonic until you hit your target. The 155gr ammo is a tad better for longer range work but you must keep the velocity up. The 175SMK and others like it are much better for 1000m work. Ive shot 155gr to 900m and it shot fine but it was kinda crappy factory ammo. I run 155gr match stuff now as 175gr Match is WAAAAAy to expensive and the 155gr runs well. Depends if your rifle likes it though.

Hope it helps some. To sum it up, run 175gr loads for beyond 600m and you will get pleasing results. IMHO at any rate.
 
Re: How far to shoot 168 SMK at roughly 2580fps?

My 175SMK loads at 100yds are shooting larger groups than my 168 SMK loads but they're still 3/4 inch or less when the 168s are 1/2" or so. I imagine the 175s better long range performance will make up for the slight accuracy difference at 100. It's just discouraging to see bigger groups and want to work a load with that bullet. Btw, I'm running a Krieger barrell 1:11 twist in an LR308. Also I'm probably gonna have to switch from Varget to RL15 due to the fact I cant seem to get any more Varget locally but I've got plenty of RL15. Is this going to be a detriment? I'll be running win brass and CCI primers.
 
Re: How far to shoot 168 SMK at roughly 2580fps?

Work your load, at 100 Yds. you should hold a 5 shot 3/8" group with no problem. My stock 700P will do it all day.

168 SMK's at 2600 FPS go sub sonic between 850-900 Yds.

175 SMK's at 2633 FPS are still over 1200 FPS at 1000 Yds.
 
Re: How far to shoot 168 SMK at roughly 2580fps?

Although it is easier to get good 1k groups with 175 SMKs, it is possible to get good 1k groups with 168 SMKs. Barrel twist needs to be 1:11 or 1:10, and tight chambers help (higher velocity from a given load). 1:12 twist barrels will almost never do it.
 
Re: How far to shoot 168 SMK at roughly 2580fps?

Go with 178 A-Max's they seem to be very consistent and even shoot well in my M14 22" 1:12 NM barrel.

Plus they seem to be a tad bit better on the wallet
 
Re: How far to shoot 168 SMK at roughly 2580fps?

I've shot FGMM 168 to around 800 yards with good success.
 
Re: How far to shoot 168 SMK at roughly 2580fps?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: former naval person</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Get Brian Litz's book. It explains the longer/heavier advantages best of all. JMHO </div></div>

Is his book honestly worth buying? I've been considering buying it lately...but it will probably be along time off before I start reloading.
 
Re: How far to shoot 168 SMK at roughly 2580fps?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: HD1911</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: former naval person</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Get Brian Litz's book. It explains the longer/heavier advantages best of all. JMHO </div></div>

Is his book honestly worth buying? I've been considering buying it lately...but it will probably be along time off before I start reloading. </div></div>


That's a joke right? Buy the book... you will be glad you did.
 
Re: How far to shoot 168 SMK at roughly 2580fps?

worth every penny. Hell the software alone is worth the price!
JH
 
Re: How far to shoot 168 SMK at roughly 2580fps?

We have shot FGMM 168's to 1000, but it's tough. Personally, I think 800 is the farthest I would shoot them if shooting serious for groups. FGMM 168's are around 2620fps.