Luck with 6 CM and 110 SMK?

[z28kid]

Has anyone had any luck using the 110 in the 6 creedmoors?
I bought a lot without doing much research because of the great BC, haven't shown a lot of success at 100 yards. I have tried in two bartlein barrels, both 7 twist, one 5R and current is a 4 groove. I have shot some at some range and they seem to be decent, just would like to get better than I am.
My current load is .040" off the lands with the .183 FB using H4350, Hornady brass, and BR2 primers.
Found 3 possible nodes, at 39.9-40.5 gr 2940 fps, 40.9-41.5 at 3000 fps, and seemed to jump from one node to another at 41.7-42.1 at 3042 fps.
I have shot groups of 5 at 40.7 grains Average 2948 fps, SD of 9, ES 17. Loaded at .100 jump

I started at .010 and went to .100 jump with 4 different charge weights, with virgin Hornady brass all groups had SDs below 13

The best 100 yard group is this one, most are at 3/4 moa shot at barely over 2900 fps because I thought I'd try the low node I ignored at first. Had about the same results.

Same load shot this a different day at 100 yards

500 yards

700 yards, missed wind call and only had 4 shots left for a group

I'm pleased with the groups at 500 and 700 but those are the only groups I have fired at more than 100 yards.
Since I was getting mediocre groups at 100 I had bought some Factory Hornady ammo (match and black) along with 108 ELDs.
I was able to shoot one group with 108 ELDs at 3030 fps, I may be responsible for the loaner. Had a SD of 6 for those 5 shots.

Hornady Match 108 ELD factory ammo, failed to turn on the magnetospeed so no velocity.

And one I couldn't believe, Hornady Black 105 Bthp, 2985 fps with ES of 57 and SD of 22.

I guess the real question is should I even play with the 110s anymore or just skip to the something different?

I have 108 ELDs, 107 Smk, and thought about buying the 105 bthp to try out.

 

[Batemanb12]

I shoot them in my 6CM and they average about .540 5 shot group.
Just an observation though there are inconsistencies in the 110SMK that I have use around the nose that I have found will throw an unknown flyer .2 or .3 MIL off every once in while.

This is my load for my rifle an AXSA use at your own risk.

Alpha brass
BR4
110SMK
.014 off the lands
39g RL16
@3005
ES 8.8
SD 5

 

[z28kid]

Do these inconsistencies happen very often in your opinion?
Have you tried to identify the suspect bullets and separate, or just load and get a flyer?

 

[jhunter]

I bought 3500 of them early on when they first came out. I tried them in Dasher and several 6 creeds with shallow throat and the .199 freebore. I had similiar results. It seemed that I could put 4 into a 1/4” group but always had 1 flyer. My average was about .7” with the 110’s

 

[Batemanb12]

The inconsistencies were about 6-10 out of a hundred that I felt like the I broke the shoot well but the round would be thrown out .2 to .3 of point of aim. Just as a side note, my experience with the 6.5 150SMK have the same results both have excellent BC's but the strange flyers have me using these SMK's as steel plate bullets only.
I am not bashing Sierra as I still shoot the 107 and 175 with great success.

 

[z28kid]

I gave up on the 110s after a couple more range trips.
The 108 ELD load I have shoots 3080 fps and shoot well. 500 yard group

I loaded some 107 SMK test loads too and did some 100 yard groups. I like the 107s, I think they are the easy button.

 

[Silverjay]

I run them in a 6mm wildcat. Barrel is Bartlein 7.5 twist, but I am pushing them just over 3,200. They shoot under .5 moa consistently if I length sort the 110’s, I was amazed at the length variation I saw in the lots I have.

 

[z28kid]

I run them in a 6mm wildcat. Barrel is Bartlein 7.5 twist, but I am pushing them just over 3,200. They shoot under .5 moa consistently if I length sort the 110’s, I was amazed at the length variation I saw in the lots I have.

I have them listed in the reloading section if your interested.

 

[45-90]

I shoot the 110 SMK in the 6 mm Dasher at 3085 fps 28" Bartlein barrel 7.5 twist with good accuracy and in the AR 15, 6 mm ARC, 7.5 twist Proof Research 18" barrel with good accuracy, 1/2" or less 5 shot groups.
Maybe it's the twist rate, along with a good quality barrel.

 

[TylerN]

My experience with the 110gr SMK and 150gr 6.5 is that they are extremely unforgiving and difficult to tune. The super long 'VLD' nose gives them great BC's but my guess also creates a lot of instability that can cause the bullet to deviate slightly when jumping. I'd recommend trying very short jumps. Maybe start at 0.005" and move back in fine increments (0.002" - 0.004".)

Now SMK 107gr are the opposite, thick nose which move the COG toward the tip and increase stability before the rifling gets the spin stability going. And the 107gr SMK is very easy to tune and jump tolerant.

I feel Sierra should adopt some Berger like naming to better categorize their SMK line. For example:

VLD: 110gr 6mm and 150gr 6.5mm
Hybrid: 107gr 6mm and 90gr 22 cal