Sierra 77grn smk vs tmk

[bubbapug1]

what are the twists on the barrel bullet tests?

[CK_32]

Sierra manual says 24. Max for the 77 smk so I didn’t want to push it

Manuals aren't the end all. Just guides. Some read higher than others.

Many people go well beyond book max charges with 0 issue. My 175 SMK load for my 308 is 1 grain above book max with 0 issue. My 55gr with H355 is almost 2 full grains above book max for one manual I have. The other manual is right at max charge for that powder and bullet.

Also remember books and publishers have lawyers to tell them to keep it on the safe side. Rather make people under charge than reccomend a full charge and make someone lose an eye.

As long as you work up, and do it safety you can go well beyond book maxes at times.

[Kwikvette]

Manuals aren't the end all. Just guides. Some read higher than others.

Many people go well beyond book max charges with 0 issue. My 175 SMK load for my 308 is 1 grain above book max with 0 issue. My 55gr with H355 is almost 2 full grains above book max for one manual I have. The other manual is right at max charge for that powder and bullet.

Also remember books and publishers have lawyers to tell them to keep it on the safe side. Rather make people under charge than reccomend a full charge and make someone lose an eye.

As long as you work up, and do it safety you can go well beyond book maxes at times.

That, and you have to remember that there's a difference in case volume.

Manuals will state the type of brass tested, and that could vary greatly from one's own brass.

[CK_32]

Huh never knew that^

Good to know!

[boyguan]

That, and you have to remember that there's a difference in case volume.

Manuals will state the type of brass tested, and that could vary greatly from one's own brass.

[ToOTHroTT]

I like the tmk for shooting distance they have a higher bc. I load 23.0gr varget and seat them to fit a pmag. I have had them out to 875 yards and plan on trying 1000 next week. I also use cfe 223 loaded at 24.0gr and they work well also with that powder.

[boyguan]

23 for me produced a decent horizontal group but not a vertical. This is where I have been told to watch out more.

I wish I could find a longer place than most ranges here to verify

[Kwikvette]

23 for me produced a decent horizontal group but not a vertical. This is where I have been told to watch out more.

I wish I could find a longer place than most ranges here to verify

I'm pretty sure that, with an exceptional shooter, vertical spread can be controlled with powder charge.

After the right charge is achieved (measure muzzle velocity/etc., check your SD's), you then start messing with your seating depth.

[highpower790]

23 for me produced a decent horizontal group but not a vertical. This is where I have been told to watch out more.

I wish I could find a longer place than most ranges here to verify

If your close to the Sac Valley area, a match will be shot at 3,5,6and 800yds next Sat.

[boyguan]

If your close to the Sac Valley area, a match will be shot at 3,5,6and 800yds next Sat.

Is this at the sac range? We have been meaning to check out the range at some point

[highpower790]

Is this at the sac range? We have been meaning to check out the range at some point

Yes,off Hwy 16 to the north and hwy 108 to the south.

[boyguan]

^^

Depends on the manual and rifle used for the test. It's good to have at least two reloading manuals.

Depending on your chamber, 24.5 grains is another tested load.

[fawndog]

When I had that problem it was LC brass by the way.

[OpenSightsOnly]

I tried to get up to 24.8 and you can see the tip of the bullet deform. It’s clearly not smooth anymore.

The varget is already compressing and maybe it’s just too much

What are you trying to achieve by cranking the powder charge to 24.8 grains of Varget with the 77?

Velocity? Tight groups?

What kind of upper do you have? Rifle length or carbine?

Is it a competition/match grade upper that is 0.75 MOA capable?

[boyguan]

What are you trying to achieve by cranking the powder charge to 24.8 grains of Varget with the 77?

Velocity? Tight groups?

What kind of upper do you have? Rifle length or carbine?

Is it a competition/match grade upper that is 0.75 MOA capable?

I saw my group tighten up at my last charge I had which was 24.1. I saw the vertical spread very low here. I want to see if it gets better. I loaded it up to 24.8 and might not get up to there but want to have it Incase there are no pressure signs. Photo attached

I’m still new to reloading but seems like I should go up beyond 24.1