SPS Tactical + Huge Chamber = Need Longer Bullet!

[TAC308]

The chamber is HUGE on my SPS tactical. I guess the attorneys got involved before my production run and decided to make a chamber so f'ing big that it would be damn near impossible for someone to make a hand load to reach the lands...

My current hand load using SMK 175s has a .060" jump and yet bullet/tail intersection is .10" forward of the neck/shoulder intersection! From what I understand, this is NOT a good thing.

For illustration (thanks glock24):

The only fix that I can think of is a longer bullet...

Please help with your opinions on this...

Thanks in advance.

 

[justinbaker]

Re: SPS Tactical + Huge Chamber = Need Longer Bullet!

dont worry about reaching the lands. SMK's dont mind a longer jump

 

[DPRoberts]

Re: SPS Tactical + Huge Chamber = Need Longer Bullet!

I'm in the same boat regarding throat length in my 700p, but 168 smks loaded at standard length (2.8) is the most accurate load I've been able to work up. It shoots consistently half MOA despite being miles from the lands. The trick for me is trying to get any other bullet to perform well with that much length.

There are longer bullets out there but with 1-12" twist you might not be able to stabilize them.

 

[Niles Coyote]

Re: SPS Tactical + Huge Chamber = Need Longer Bullet!

2.825" is the length my 308 tactical and also my varmint both like... and it is mag length

This with 175 smk, 180 smk and the berger 168 vld.

 

[Downzero]

Re: SPS Tactical + Huge Chamber = Need Longer Bullet!

How are the groups?

 

[rrflyer]

Re: SPS Tactical + Huge Chamber = Need Longer Bullet!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Downzero</div><div class="ubbcode-body">How are the groups? </div></div>

This. Hows it shoot.

 

[TAC308]

Re: SPS Tactical + Huge Chamber = Need Longer Bullet!

I've gotten .5" groups at 100 using Southwest Ammo (175 SMK).

But, my goal is to create a hand load that is even better. And I'm finding that the chamber is so long that being able to get close the lands isn't possible with a 175 SMK.

 

[Niles Coyote]

Re: SPS Tactical + Huge Chamber = Need Longer Bullet!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Downzero</div><div class="ubbcode-body">How are the groups? </div></div>

700 yards 175smk@2550fps handload. Held .5 mil wind. 5 shots 8" spread counting the one I pulled low, 4 were less than 5". Not bad for a factory Remington Tactical and 10x nikon... (can of chew for reference)

I dont have any pics of the 180 but it was shooting tighter than you would believe. 5 shots all of which were overlapping for a ctc in the mid .3", I have not taken that load past 100 yet.

The vld load was my deer load for this past season and it was hovering between 1/2 and 5/8 at 100y

 

[FALex]

Re: SPS Tactical + Huge Chamber = Need Longer Bullet!

I'm in the same boat; I'm loading 175 SMK's at OAL 2.84...I believe the Rem's just have long throats?

 

[Niles Coyote]

Re: SPS Tactical + Huge Chamber = Need Longer Bullet!

I cheated and used glock 24's load for the 175 and havent looked back. (1 exception, I am using WLR primers) If you search some of his post you will find a ocw for it.

 

[glock24]

Re: SPS Tactical + Huge Chamber = Need Longer Bullet!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Niles Coyote</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I cheated and used glock 24's load for the 175 and havent looked back. (1 exception, I am using WLR primers) If you search some of his post you will find a ocw for it. </div></div>

LOL! I'm glad it works for you as well!

I've been PM'ing TAC308 on this particular topic. He's all set to run his first OCW with 175g SMKs. Unfortunately he really likes to torture the numbers! I used to be the same way!

Nice shooting BTW.

 

[Niles Coyote]

Re: SPS Tactical + Huge Chamber = Need Longer Bullet!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: glock24</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Niles Coyote</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I cheated and used glock 24's load for the 175 and havent looked back. (1 exception, I am using WLR primers) If you search some of his post you will find a ocw for it. </div></div>

LOL! I'm glad it works for you as well!

I've been PM'ing TAC308 on this particular topic. He's all set to run his first OCW with 175g SMKs. Unfortunately he really likes to torture the numbers! I used to be the same way!

Nice shooting BTW. </div></div>

I think most of us have been in those shoes.

 

[BCP]

Re: SPS Tactical + Huge Chamber = Need Longer Bullet!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TAC308</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've gotten .5" groups at 100 using Southwest Ammo (175 SMK).

But, my goal is to create a hand load that is even better.</div></div>

Good luck!

If you find the lands in yours let me know I'm still looking for them in my rem700.

 

[TAC308]

Re: SPS Tactical + Huge Chamber = Need Longer Bullet!

I definitely get hung up on the numbers! That's what studying Engineering will do to you!

I just hate that Remington obviously makes the chambers so long that loading to the lands (or even close) is impossible. Because, I'm sure most would agree that the less jump the better (all things being equal). Like I said earlier, if I set my OAL with the bullet/tail just forward of the neck/shoulder I would have ~ .16" jump! That's insane!

 

[rrflyer]

Re: SPS Tactical + Huge Chamber = Need Longer Bullet!

Not really true. If you can load msg length and still touch the lands cool.

If not... Magazine fed reliability trumps it.

 

[TAC308]

Re: SPS Tactical + Huge Chamber = Need Longer Bullet!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: rrflyer</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Not really true. If you can load msg length and still touch the lands cool.

If not... Magazine fed reliability trumps it. </div></div>

I don't follow you...

 

[rrflyer]

Re: SPS Tactical + Huge Chamber = Need Longer Bullet!

If you can load a bullet long enough to touch the lands and have it feed out of your magazine that's great.

But if not I would rather have a round that would feed reliably out of my mags than touch the lands.

 

[Muttt]

Re: SPS Tactical + Huge Chamber = Need Longer Bullet!

I shoot 168gr AMAX and they will actually get up into the lands. If you compare the AMAX to the bullet you are using, you'll probably find that the part of the bullet that rides the lands and grooves (forget what it's called) is farther up the bullet.

 

[fastex500]

Re: SPS Tactical + Huge Chamber = Need Longer Bullet!

I'm glad to see I am not alone.... I've been working up some loads for long range and have gotten my bullet, powder, primer and cases all worked out, so I'm on to the OAL settings.

Well..... I have measured the length of a case with 178 gr Hornady A-Max in my stock 10fp heavy barrel and the bullet doesn't hit the lands until a COAL of 2.901". I know the A-Max is a long skinny bullet, so the ogive is further back.... But that seems like a long throat. Seems like too long to even mess with pushing the length into the 2.890" area, so I've just used the 2.835" that seems to hold a good consistent group from previous loading.....