Bullet choices

[Darklyte27]

So ive been reading a bit, and saw that sierra bullets are not the top choice anymore? SMKs are being out shot by other bullets? is that true?

What is the top bullets people are shooting now? why?
what do you use for competition?

[Jicko]

What caliber are you talking about!?

Also, WHERE did you see that SMK is not the top choice?

In .308WIN, it would be either 155-Lapua-Scenar OR 175-SMK.....

[Darklyte27]

woops i meant to talk about the .308 what is that scenar?

I ordered the 175 SMK so I hope to be good to go.
I plan on loading loads for my savage 10FLP

[Jicko]

Have you completely read this article in details 3 times yet?

http://www.6mmbr.com/308win.html

PS. 175SMK is gtg. 155Scenar is a newer bullet and it's theoretically performance is better than 175SMK, yet the 175SMK got a thicker track-record. In my personal experience, SMK(168/175) seems to be good with ANY rifle.... while some rifles may not "like" the 155Scenar.... probably due to its geometry.... it is more spearheaded while SMK is more rounded... So, I would say, if 155Scenar works for your rifle, by all means.... go for it.... I am a research engineer, I am all for the newer and the better..... and if it doesn't work... you can ALWAYS go back to the tried and proven 175SMKs.

[Darklyte27]

2 actually, but i wanted to see what other peoples opinions are.. the more the better

[Jicko]

You should go purchase some "factory" ammo and try them out with your gun first:

(like a box of each, midway used to have all these....)

- Lapua factory 155Scenar
- BHA 168SMK (you can probably skip this, if your goal is 1000yds)
- BHA 175SMK
- FGM308M 168SMK (you can skip this too, if you are skipping the 168SMK)
- FGM308M2 175SMK

[rksimple]

I like the 155 scenar. It has shot well in both my custom and a couple of factory savages. If it doesn't work for you, many people are having good luck with the 178 Amax at distance. The more uniform tip of the amax leads to less vertical stringing, or so they say. But the 155 scenar, with a BC practically identical to the 175 smk, but being able to be pushed 200fps faster, makes for a great 308 load.

[wildcard]

For my short range game.. the 168 SMKs can't be beat. I'm going to do some testing with the 155 Scenars this weekend though. Hopefully they do better than the 190 SMKs so I can have the best of both worlds.

155 Scenars look good on paper when comparing to the 190 SMKs at 1000 yds. But thats because I can push them to 3050+FPS (popular match limit) as opposed to only about 2950 for the 190 SMKs.

Let me tell you.. carrying around two loads can get confusing! So find a happy compromise. I should probably mention that this is from a 300WM.

[Darklyte27]

You should go purchase some "factory" ammo and try them out with your gun first:

(like a box of each, midway used to have all these....)

- Lapua factory 155Scenar
- BHA 168SMK (you can probably skip this, if your goal is 1000yds)
- BHA 175SMK
- FGM308M 168SMK (you can skip this too, if you are skipping the 168SMK)
- FGM308M2 175SMK

I do have some Gold medal match stuff from atg it was 21$ a box.

so Sierra MK is still pretty good stuff then i take it. Now about that scenar stuff whats that all about? how bout nosler?

[rksimple]

Do you reload? If not, most match ammo is fairly equal. FGMM gets the nod most of the time, but Black Hills and Corbon are just as good and cheaper now. If you can get a good deal on match ammo that uses the SMK, just get it. Its more than likely very good.

[Beelzy]

Sierra still works for me, handgun and rifle. As well as Hornady and Nosler.
Those 3 are my first choices for bullets. I know others exist that shoot at
least as well, but recipe building can be very time consuming.

[Jicko]

Now about that scenar stuff whats that all about? how bout nosler?

*sigh*.... told ya.... reading that article 2 times is not enough.... go back and read it 2 more times!!

Scenar is a newer bullet design, having BC similar to 175SMK, while it is lighter... therefore, you can "safely" push it FASTER. 175SMK, you run ~2700fps or maybe a little more like 2800fps (this is probably a bit too hot)..... while 155Scenar, you can run them well over 2900fps, 2950fps, or over 3000fps.... FASTER means shorter time to get to your target, means less drop, means less wind defraction..... ie. more graceful to wind-reading-error

Nosler is "basically" copying SMK's design. They ONLY have 168gr, they don't even have 175gr. If you choose to run 168gr, Nosler CC/HPBT is a cheaper alternative to 168SMK.



Haven't use this for a while... but no offense (you had been around for a while), all of the above are well covered before...

[30Cal]

Nosler has the 155gr HPBT Custom Competition as well. It's worked well for me though my match M1A.

[rolly]

Nosler has the 155gr HPBT Custom Competition as well. It's worked well for me though my match M1A.

I got them for my .308 remington vtr 700

[Jicko]

FYI, 155gr Nosler CC is, again, similar to 155gr SMK..... they are not the same(or similar) design of the Lapua Scenar.... hence their BC is nowhere near the 175SMK.... ie. their long range performance is NOT as good as the 175SMKs.

IIRC, the BCs are:
.508 155LapuaScenar
.505 175SMK
.462 168SMK, 168Nosler
.450 155SMK(Palma Match), 155Nosler

The goal is basically pick the bullet that has the BEST performance and will work with your rifle consistantly. And within your budget.

For more info, go back to the old .308 load thread:

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=72798