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OCW Bullets 168 Amax 168 SMK

farmer7

Private
Full Member
Minuteman
Feb 28, 2013
55
1
Scotland, Highlands
Hello,

Just wondering about bullet choice using the OCW method. I've used it for all my rifles with good results - Thank you Mr Newberry!

I've worked up a load in my .308 using the 168 Amax and Varget and have settled on 45.5 with consistent point of impact either side. What I wonder will 45.5 most LIKELY be the sweet spot for the SMK also? I know I'd need to work up to it watching for pressure signs. Just not sure of the exact science! Is it pressure, velocity, bullet bearing length, barrel harmonics? I'm thinking velocity but please educate me.

For anyone thats used both at sub 700 yards which would folk say is consistently the better bullet?

Thank you.
 
Bullet weight being the same in most cases your powder charge will be the same. You might need to adjust OAL a bit to improve groups--or simply to bring the cold, clean bore shot into the group. The main reason I adjust OAL on a load these days is to tune the cold, clean bore shot to land as close as possible to the shots that follow; in most cases you can get it within 1/2 MOA or better.

Dan
 
Bullet weight being the same in most cases your powder charge will be the same. You might need to adjust OAL a bit to improve groups--or simply to bring the cold, clean bore shot into the group. The main reason I adjust OAL on a load these days is to tune the cold, clean bore shot to land as close as possible to the shots that follow; in most cases you can get it within 1/2 MOA or better.

Dan

Hello Dan,

Thanks for the Reply the rifle is a PSS in an AICS stock. But because Remmys tend to have a long throat(mine does anyway!) I have seated the bullet as far out as will fit in the magazine and it still has a way to jump. Is it worth trying them deeper do you think?

Getting good results with the AMAX but have a box of SMKs now which I will try. If you were a betting man you'd reckon on 45.5 also with the SMK?

As for the cold clean bore shot it tends to be 1/2" to the left of the main group just now which I'm happy with.

Thanks again.
 
Hello,

Just wondering about bullet choice using the OCW method. I've used it for all my rifles with good results - Thank you Mr Newberry!

I've worked up a load in my .308 using the 168 Amax and Varget and have settled on 45.5 with consistent point of impact either side. What I wonder will 45.5 most LIKELY be the sweet spot for the SMK also? I know I'd need to work up to it watching for pressure signs. Just not sure of the exact science! Is it pressure, velocity, bullet bearing length, barrel harmonics? I'm thinking velocity but please educate me.

For anyone thats used both at sub 700 yards which would folk say is consistently the better bullet?

Thank you.

The AMAX, no doubt from my experience.
 
Hello Dan,

Thanks for the Reply the rifle is a PSS in an AICS stock. But because Remmys tend to have a long throat(mine does anyway!) I have seated the bullet as far out as will fit in the magazine and it still has a way to jump. Is it worth trying them deeper do you think?

Getting good results with the AMAX but have a box of SMKs now which I will try. If you were a betting man you'd reckon on 45.5 also with the SMK?

As for the cold clean bore shot it tends to be 1/2" to the left of the main group just now which I'm happy with.

Thanks again.

Yes, these bullets dont usually shoot that well close to the lands unless the rifle would happen to have a short throat, like in the case of my model 70 30-06 Ive got them .005" off the lands. Ive got my 168AMAXs in my remingtons like .110" off the lands and they shoot .5moa out to 300yds. oal is set at 2.825", but not with varget, 2000MR/CFE/RE15.
 
You can load them to mag length in the Remington and they'll shoot fine. You can shorten in .005" increments, from 2.805 being the longest, to 2.795 being the shortest length I'd try. One of those lengths will shoot tighter groups, and likely have the cold clean bore shot closer to the group.

Dan