SMK vs AMAX... new scale tests.

[SIG700]

So I just got a new digital scale today, along with a box of 175g SMK's to try out (always used 168g AMAX prior). Decided to do a "quality control" test on bullets.

Some facts
-Scale was RCBS Charge master 1500 in case anyone is curious.
-Randomly (approx every 5-10 bullets) checked calibration with included weights. (every time it was checked it was accurate)
-I intermittedly switched between AMAX and SMK. (would weigh one AMAX then a bunch of SMK than an AMAX) to keep as impartial as possible.

I only had (5) 168g AMAX's left, the weights ranged from a low of 167.2g to a high of 167.9g. (Actual weights 167.2, .7, .8, .8, .9. (the 167.2 was checked 3x)
Out of (100) 175g SMK's, there was not a single one that was > +/- 0.1g. (All ranging from 174.9 - 175.1)

I am not saying that the AMAX is a bad round, it has shot extremely well in my rifle for the approx. year I've been reloading them. Have not gotten a chance to test out the SMK round yet.

Has anyone else done tests? Possibly with similar results? Or results to contradict mine?

 

[McLarenross]

Re: SMK vs AMAX... new scale tests.

I think this is really a lot to lot thing depending on how worn the dies are at the time. Ive weighed boxes of SMKs and A-Maxs (175s and 178s respectively) and sometimes Ill get a very consistent box and some times Ill get a 0.5gr variation. I have to say the 167.2gr one is a little outta spec. I can say that Ive gone as far as to separate the bullets by 0.1gr sets and fired 5 round groups with 5 different +-0.1gr bullets and really didnt see the difference. That grain weight variation is not nearly as important as the powder charge and neck tension. I think I actually saw a better improvement from de-burring flash holes than weight sorting bullets. Wanna get really irritated, measure bullet over all length variation on the SMKs.

 

[Muttt]

Re: SMK vs AMAX... new scale tests.

Maybe that explains some of the really close flyers I'm getting with the occasional AMAX. I may start weighing them and batching them up by weight.

 

[turbo54]

Re: SMK vs AMAX... new scale tests.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Muttt</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Maybe that explains some of the really close flyers I'm getting with the occasional AMAX. I may start weighing them and batching them up by weight. </div></div>

Oh my god, no! See my sigline! Just take yhem out of the box and load them. They're fine!

I have ever weighed a bunch of SMKs, and found them to be very consistent. They would usually be right on the money, but never more than .15gr off.

 

[Beef82]

Re: SMK vs AMAX... new scale tests.

I weight sorted a box of 100 178 BTHP Hornadys once, out of boredom and curiousity vast majority were 177.8 or .9, about fourteen of them fell outside that range, one at 178.5, 3 or four at 177.5 and the rest somewhere in between majority lighter, IIRC. Segregated by .2gr variance, no appreciable difference in groups or POI. Won't likely try to cure boredom by doing that again.

 

[DarkD]

Re: SMK vs AMAX... new scale tests.

I have never weight separated my bullets and have to say to date, have developed some really great reloads. Both my 6.5x284 and .308 group under 1/4" vertical spread max at 100 yards. I cant say that the impact shift is a factor and at the close I cant say I need it any tighter unless I was doing some serious comp shooting. Even have had 6-8" groups at 1000 yards. If weight separating would bring that down more, then maybe I would think it more inmportant....Hmmm....damn. Too much thought and time...grr. Might have to try a batch like that on the 1000 yard next time.

 

[armorpl8chikn]

Re: SMK vs AMAX... new scale tests.

I have never weighed a bullet in my life unless I thought I had some pulled bullets mixed up. I have shot competitions for a long time including several years in 1000yd BR.
AMax bullets are great bullets, I shoot them quite often in competition. I have always had better results at long range with Match Kings. I prefer SMKs but never turn my nose up at AMax bullets when I can get them at a good price. What you have discovered is not surprising but it is also of little value unless you are a serious BR competitor.