77gr or 80gr for .223 Match Loads

[PistolPete75]

I have a 20inch barrel 1:8 twist. Should I go with a 77gr or 80gr hpbt?

Is Nosler similar quality to Sierra?

[Jicko]

Your choice. Your twist rate work with both.

The ONLY difference is 77gr can be seated to magazine-able OAL, 80gr cannot.

Nosler CC and SMK very similar performance, but Nosler CC is definitely cheaper.

[PistolPete75]

thanks for the info, i'm definitely gonna go with the 77gr

[Jicko]

HEY, it's your LUCKY DAY

Nosler 77gr CC HPBT *BACK IN STOCK* $126 for 1000 (this had been out for a few months, and just come back in stock probably today!)

http://www.nosler.com/index.php?p=11&b=5&s=4&t=SPECIALS!

These are regularly $39/250 @ powdervalley.

Comparable Sierra MatchKing 77gr HPBT will run you about $184 for 1000 @ powdervalley.

So $126 for 1000 is a steal!

[Prc329]

Hmmmm. I plan on doing 77g.

[ocabj]

80s are definitely the best. 77s have no problem making 600 yards, but the 80s give such an advantage as far as wind drift that it's just not worth forcing the use of 77s.

Remember: You'll get better wind performance with an 80 moving at 2650 than a 77 moving at 2750 or even 2800fps.

If you absolutely MUST load from a magazine, use 77s. Otherwise, use the 80s.

As far as Nosler vs Sierra, I've had no issues with Nosler 77s and that's what I use because of the recent Nosler 'Specials' pricing. But I haven't risked using Nosler 80s yet. I still use Sierra 80s. Nosler 80s and Sierra 80s basically have the same BC, but I know the Sierras shoot better than 1MOA at distance. I haven't bought new Nosler 80s so I haven't been able to do any real testing with them.

[Jicko]

As far as Nosler vs Sierra, I've had no issues with Nosler 77s and that's what I use because of the recent Nosler 'Specials' pricing. But I haven't risked using Nosler 80s yet. I still use Sierra 80s. Nosler 80s and Sierra 80s basically have the same BC, but I know the Sierras shoot better than 1MOA at distance. I haven't bought new Nosler 80s so I haven't been able to do any real testing with them.

I thought you got some Nosler 80gr since you posted the "Nosler 22cal 80gr Factory Seconds testing results".... didn't they claim that the 2nds are the same as new as far as performance and is just "cosmeticly" inperfect?

[ocabj]

At 200 they shoot decent. About X-ring sized groups at 200 on an SR target. But I haven't tested them at mid/long range (600 yards). I'm pretty confident the Nosler 80s will shoot excellent at 200 yards, but for my application (as well as for most of the people who use 80s) which is High Power, performance at 600 is the critical test distance.

[Gunsrruss]

Nosler 80gr........

I used the Nosler 80 at the Pac Flt and all Navy Match. Of course we were shooting from 500yds. I had personnel best scores of 191-194 and 193-195. So I think the Noslers are just fine

[NRAhighpowershooter]

80gr SMK's and 24.5gr N140 puts me in the mid 190's @600yds with a Wilson/DPMS 1-8 barrel...

[ocabj]

I used the Nosler 80 at the Pac Flt and all Navy Match. Of course we were shooting from 500yds. I had personnel best scores of 191-194 and 193-195. So I think the Noslers are just fine

Excellent shooting. Pac Fleet I shot horrible strings at 500 (188-4x, 94-1x and 94-3x). Shot way better in the All Navy at 500 (196-5x, 97-2x and 99-3x).