77 SMKs vs 77 Nosler CC

[mdmp5]

In you guys' experience, are these 2 bullets interchangeable? I bought 1k of the Noslers years ago because they were priced right, and I am coming down to my last few hundred. Never got them to shoot very well in my ARs (yes they are 7 twist), and I was wondering if I would be better served getting SMKs next time, or am I to expect the same result.

 

[Niles Coyote]

I have used both. Nosler seems to be hit or miss. I've had good results with the 69cc & 80cc's but the 77cc, while under MOA, were never what I'd call great. I lucked into a powdervalley special a while back and bought 2.5k of 77smk's when blackhills had sold off their stash and they group significantly better.

 

[mdmp5]

Thanks Niles. I will probably go that route

 

[padom]

77cc shoot lights out with H4895 and 8208XBR with my same 77smk powder charge. Seating depth is different. I been shooting these in various 1:7 and 1:8 AR's with WOA, Rainier Ultramatch, Bartlein and Kreiger barrels.

I'll post up my load development targets when I get a chance.

 

[mdmp5]

77cc shoot lights out with H4895 and 8208XBR with my same 77smk powder charge. Seating depth is different. I been shooting these in various 1:7 and 1:8 AR's with WOA, Rainier Ultramatch, Bartlein and Kreiger barrels.

I'll post up my load development targets when I get a chance.

How much variance are you using in seating depth with your ARs?

 

[MtnCreek]

Mijp5, Are you shooting blems? A bought a bunch of 'cosmetic blems' a few years ago and they would not shoot as well as SMK.

 

[mdmp5]

Mijp5, Are you shooting blems? A bought a bunch of 'cosmetic blems' a few years ago and they would not shoot as well as SMK.

I don't think they are blems. Came in the 1k pack, not labeled as blems. It may just be a combination of things, mainly me being a mental midget with the AR15. I load absolutely lights out for bolt action, but was never able to truly find anything close to lights out with 223 AR. 69s shoot so so, but the 77s have been just junk for me.

 

[mdmp5]

And I've tried RL15, Varget, N540, and N140 with the 77s. I do use quite a bit of H4895 for another caliber, but never tried it in the 223. Maybe that's worth trying

 

[MtnCreek]

Mine came in 100 rd plastic and were marked either blem or cosmetic blem.

 

[spife7980]

And I've tried RL15, Varget, N540, and N140 with the 77s. I do use quite a bit of H4895 for another caliber, but never tried it in the 223. Maybe that's worth trying

If youve vetted that many powders behind the 77 CC I would go ahead and say that your rifle doesnt like it...

And as mtncreek said, the blems come in little generic looking 100 count plastic baggies, no box.

 

[padom]

RL15 was the only powder you listed that was "ok" with 77cc the others shot like shit for me. H4895 and 8208XBR are my go to and both shoot tiny little groups. H4895 is about 75-100 fps slower than my 8208 load but equally accurate

 

[mdmp5]

RL15 was the only powder you listed that was "ok" with 77cc the others shot like shit for me. H4895 and 8208XBR are my go to and both shoot tiny little groups. H4895 is about 75-100 fps slower than my 8208 load but equally accurate

Well as we speak, I had someone test one of my uppers because I was having difficulty with my can. He shot lights out with 77 gr blue box. Gonna try to replicate that load in some fashion

 

[padom]

20" Rainier Ultramatch (Shilen Blank) 1:8 223 Wylde

20" Compass Lake Bartlein 1:7 CLE Chamber 5 Shot Group Load Confirmation

20" WOA SDM Fluted 1:7 223 Wylde - 77smk

 

[mdmp5]

Good shootin padom. I am surprised your H4895 is slow, because that powder really gets things moving in the other 2 calibers I've used it in

 

[padom]

I found H4895 likes longer barrels for speed. It is way faster than Varget and 8208 in my 26" 223 bolt guns but slower than 8208 or Varget in my 20" or shorter AR15's.

 

[mdmp5]

On another note, the 77 CCs shoot well subsonic out of my AR

 

[mdmp5]

Tried the H4895 with the 77s today and they shot lights out with 3 charges.

 

[bunsen27]

77cc shoot lights out with H4895 and 8208XBR with my same 77smk powder charge. Seating depth is different. I been shooting these in various 1:7 and 1:8 AR's with WOA, Rainier Ultramatch, Bartlein and Kreiger barrels.

I'll post up my load development targets when I get a chance.

20" Rainier Ultramatch (Shilen Blank) 1:8 223 Wylde

20" Compass Lake Bartlein 1:7 CLE Chamber 5 Shot Group Load Confirmation

20" WOA SDM Fluted 1:7 223 Wylde

@padom my apologies for the necro post.

I'm interested in what your load development and seating depth tests showed for Nos 77gr CC. Unfortunately your images are not showing up for me.

My OCW in my 18" WOA SPR show a nice node for XBR8208 at 23.6gr for 77gr CC, and 23.1gr for 77gr SMK, both in LC Brass.

You've indicated that you found a different optimum depth than the SMK. Was it shorter or longer than OAL= 2.248-2.250in? Thanks.

 

[AR-180]

I legged out with 23.2 XBR and Nosler 77s. I buy them several thousand at the time. I love that bullet.

 

[TheGerman]

If you’re looking for new 77g bullets, the 77 TMK beats both.

 

[bunsen27]

If you’re looking for new 77g bullets, the 77 TMK beats both.

I found 1k of Nosler CC on the shelf I forgot I had so I'm good for now, thanks.

 

[DIBBS]

I've shot 2K Nosler 77 CC's in the past year, through a 8 twist bartlein standard .223 atop varget, and in a 8 twist Benchmark in a .223 AI atop of 8208 XBR. Both shoot lights out, so I've seen no need to change, but do send a 75 grain Amax downrange occasionally, and have about 1K 80 gr Amaxes I may eventually get to.