69gr SMK target velocity

[Joey Dean]

With the thought that of course I am a cautions reloader and will be doing a work up, what velocity should I realistically be for at the top end of a 69 gr SMK 223 load. This will be out of a RRA 20" tube.

This will be my steel shooting load out to 600 meters. Well, I hope it will anyway.

My math is saying I should be able to get around 2900 fps. I am also going to be trying to run it with CFE223 and I have been able to get a bit more velocity using that powder in my 55 gr loads. If I can hit a node at close to 2900 I would be a happy lad.

 

[lte82]

You should be able to wring 2900-3000 out of it with a 20" tube and CFE223. You will have no problems hitting steel at 600 yards.

 

[Paulyr450]

I was using 69 smk with 25 grains of cfe out of a 24 inch barrel and getting 2850 to 2870 fps. I never tried to push it any further but out of a 20 inch barrel it might be close. Hogden says max charge is 25.8 so you might get pressure signs or maybe not.

 

[jbailey]

I'm 2900-ish w/ 25.3gr RL-15 + 70gr Berger from 20" 8-twist AR-15. I have sub'ed in the 69gr SMK and 68gr Hornady HPBT, same powder charge and OAL, and both go a bit slower. Think this is because those two bullets are shorter, resulting in less pressure. This is especially the case with the 69gr SMK, which is the shortest of the three. The wind will blow these things around at 600yds, no doubt, but if you have the wind doped, they are very good.

 

[jsthntn247]

22" barrel gets 2940 with 25.0 grains of Varget

 

[DocB]

Joey,

I don't remember the velocity, but the 69 SMK ahead of up to 24 grains of N-140 with WSRs will work very accurately out to 800 yds. My RRA 20" M4 really likes this load for CQB matches.

HTH,
DocB

 

[M14 Shooter]

You may want to try some 77 SMK or 75 Hornaday bullets.They will handle the wind better than the 69 grain bullet.The 69 grain bullet will shoot very well ,but you will have to stay on top of the wind.In the early days of the AR-15 in NRA High Power .Shooters used the 69 grain bullet out to 1000 yards.In those day the 69 grain Serria was was about all that was around for long range 223 shooting.Today we have a great selection of bullets for the 223.

Regards,Mike

 

[M14 Shooter]

You may want to try some 77 SMK or 75 Hornaday bullets.They will handle the wind better than the 69 grain bullet.The 69 grain bullet will shoot very well ,but you will have to stay on top of the wind.In the early days of the AR-15 in NRA High Power .Shooters used the 69 grain bullet out to 1000 yards.In those day the 69 grain Serria was was about all that was around for long range 223 shooting.Today we have a great selection of bullets for the 223.

Regards,Mike

 

[jkonzal]

I get just over 2900fps with 69gr SMK's out of an 18" tube. 26gr Varget, LC brass, CCI 400 primers. VERY accurate combo with my gun.

 

[30378]

If it sticks 'em all in the same hole, I'm not worried about velocity. Running 69s at 2820 out of my Remmy Compact Tactical with great accuracy. Don't over look the 65 SGK either.

 

[Joey Dean]

Thanks to all who replied.

 

[insight3b]

Late to the party but I'm not able to get them past 2750 without getting pressure signs unless I use a Tubb Carrier weight system