Ive read where a lot of guys trim or open up the HP on their SMK for better more consistent performance on game.
Whats the best way to do this?
Whats the best way to do this?
Hunting & Fishing Opening/Trimming meplat on 77 smk for hunting
- Thread starter Jmccracken1214
- Start date
I think a lot of the Rokslide guys use a very small drill bit. Not sure what size though
Ive seen some of that over there, and actual trimmers... but then some say you need to point the bullets, some say you dont...
I just want to get a better, more consistent bullet for my gas guns. Im not shooting elk at 1000 yards. Just critters or deer from 100-300 or so.
If you bust em with a high shoulder shot and blow out that whole CNS bundle you dont need to do anything with the bullet. Meat loss is pretty minimal and they are DRT which is a bonus where I hunt whiteys.
I've used a pin drill on older harder Scenars and Berger Hybrids. I think it was a #59 or maybe bigger.
I would not point of close up the tip on a hunting bullet.
I think it was Nathan Foster who recommended flame annealing the bullets for better terminal performance.
I would not point of close up the tip on a hunting bullet.
I think it was Nathan Foster who recommended flame annealing the bullets for better terminal performance.
While I've never drilled any 77 SMK'S.....I did shoot one whitetail buck at 26 yards with some IMI Razorcore 77gr SMK.......it was a perfectly placed double lung shot........deer ran.....very little blood .....only deer that I've ever not recovered......next weekend I was able to find it from buzzard activities
I would say skip the 77smk and switch to the 77 TMK.......results always vary with so many variables in play ......for me the SMK is off the list for deer....especially since I reload and can run the TMK just as easy
Now if I'm out somewhere and there's 77 smk in my mag and I see a coyote....I'm 100% sending it in that scenario
I would say skip the 77smk and switch to the 77 TMK.......results always vary with so many variables in play ......for me the SMK is off the list for deer....especially since I reload and can run the TMK just as easy
Now if I'm out somewhere and there's 77 smk in my mag and I see a coyote....I'm 100% sending it in that scenario
Too close with too much MV likely on a 26 yd shot - like you experienced with these sort of bullets you won't get an exit so a blood trail is unlikely.
The SMK likely expanded a bit more violently at impact rather entirely in the lung/ heart zone. . But sometimes bullets do odd things and don't perform like you've experienced previously.
The SMK likely expanded a bit more violently at impact rather entirely in the lung/ heart zone. . But sometimes bullets do odd things and don't perform like you've experienced previously.
My thoughts too, either way....I'd only try smk again with a neck/spine shot and only if it was my only rifle
Ive never got the TMK to shoot near as well in any of my rifles... I just got done wasting powder and 60 of the 107 TMK in my grendel, trying to get them to shoot like the SMK version only to at best print double the size groups
the smk shoot less than .5" in my 18" DD... I guess ill leave them alone and theyll just do what they do when I hit something.
Since ive made this post, ive got a 22 arc ruger 20" coming that ill run 62 VT in and maybe try the 77 in some loads... Itll probably be what I use most of the time.
Yes sir! This is about the norm with this rifle everytime I take it out. Even better, I load this on my Dillon 550 and it still prints very accurate. 25gr of staball match and 77 smk at 2.26When a gas gun shoots that well....enjoy it
I've never been able to get a tmk to shoot great either. That said, it would shoot well enough for 100-300yds which is what the majority would be doing with it. It's sort of hard to accept "ok" accuracy when you get used to really great accuracy though, for me anyway.
I understand 100%
In my grendel, the TMK was grouping 1-1.25" 5 shots.
Thatll take a deer no problem at 300 yards.. but for whatever reason, I just cant accept that accuracy. I wish I could. Maybe one day.
I run 69 SMKs in my bolt gun and they are stupid accurate. I picked up some 69 TMKs, loaded with the same load and base to ogive and they hammer just as well. I’m surprised you’re seeing a difference from one to the other.
I was just reading earlier today that another guy was having issues getting the 107 to shoot well in a Grendel. Wonder if that is pretty common cause I was looking at running it in my G.
I’ve shot animals with the SMKs and never had satisfactory performance. Never heard of anyone drilling the tips on them but know it’s done with Bergers. Curious if you see a difference.
Years ago when I had a gen 1 ruger grendel, i used the 107's in it with 8208 xbr when it could be had and that thing was a monster. Shot amazing.
1) Add me to the list of people who will shy away from using a .224 dia SMK on game when you're trying to recover it. I've lost several coyotes that were hit in the vitals, only to find them much later and a couple hundred yards away. I'm sure that there are plenty of guys out there with success stories, and I've had some success too. The failure rate however is much higher than when I've used a hunting style bullet.
2) OT: For the couple dudes running Grendels and considering the 107 SMK, I've had excellent accuracy with the 108gr Scenar. Same length/profile as the 123gr, so load data is pretty interchangeable.
2) OT: For the couple dudes running Grendels and considering the 107 SMK, I've had excellent accuracy with the 108gr Scenar. Same length/profile as the 123gr, so load data is pretty interchangeable.
You could try one of these. Kinda pricey, but this guy knows his stuff.
Mike
Mike
The DTACs with the nose rings seem to be destroying some animals tooYou could try one of these. Kinda pricey, but this guy knows his stuff.
Mike
I never tried modifying bullets for precision rifles since I don’t think it’s going to aid accuracy and may be detrimental instead. I can see inconsistent bullet weights or being drilled just enough off center in attempts to open up the tip more to unbalance the projectile. Might not actually be as big of an issue as my imagination might suggest either but I never found the need to monkey with the design. In any case, a BTHP projectile, while not really designed for hunting purposes, will still do an acceptable job. Here in North Dakota, for example, deer hunting ammunition must be .22 caliber or larger with no FMJ or exploding bullets being used. Now while BTHP projectiles may not expand like premium hunting ammo like my preference Sierra Ballistic Tips, they still perform quite well.
This was my buck I harvested back in 2011 (man, I actually had a beard that wasn’t grey once upon a time! LOL) at 426 meters using Sierra 168 grain Match King bullets in my reloads optimized for my DMR clone. The exit wound going through the shoulder was fairly devastating in of itself but placement is key and why he dropped on the spot. I guess I’d rather have a round that will go right where I want it rather than try to modify a projectile for possible improved expansion at the cost of accuracy.
This was my buck I harvested back in 2011 (man, I actually had a beard that wasn’t grey once upon a time! LOL) at 426 meters using Sierra 168 grain Match King bullets in my reloads optimized for my DMR clone. The exit wound going through the shoulder was fairly devastating in of itself but placement is key and why he dropped on the spot. I guess I’d rather have a round that will go right where I want it rather than try to modify a projectile for possible improved expansion at the cost of accuracy.
