Hornady .224 75BTHP vs. Sierra 77 SMK vs. Nosler77

A

alan98

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Jan 11, 2008
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Pennsylvania
#1
Just posting this to see if anyone has compared the 75 grain Hornady BTHP, 77 SMK , and 77 Nosler custom comp. I see the Hornady has the highest BC of the 3 and is also cheaper. I'm looking for the bullet to get the longest range out of a 24" RRA varmint AR that can still be mag fed.

Thanks for any responses
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I will be using Varget, Win brass so I'm also curious what load you use also.

Thanks,

Alan
 
#3
Re: Hornady .224 75BTHP vs. Sierra 77 SMK vs. Nosler77

Buy a box of all three and load them and shoot them. I did this in an AR platform and was amazed at how different they performed.

I did extensive load development using these three bullets in a 1:9 twist, 16" AR. Loaded to mag. length. Loaded to the same powder loads, there were night and day difference's in accuracy in my rifle.

Your gun will probably prefer one over the others with less workup, but it may not be the same one as mine.

YMMV

John

p.s. I was loading TAC in LC brass, my data won't help you...
 
#4
Re: Hornady .224 75BTHP vs. Sierra 77 SMK vs. Nosler77

Like the guy above said, try all of them. Each gun will prefer certain types/brands of bullets. They do recommend a twist rate of at least 1:8 though. That being said, its been my experience and that of others that Sierras have more consistent and have less weight and size variances than the Hornady's and Noslers. But what kind of shooting you do, how critical do you want to be, how much do you want to spend for bullets, are you willing to pay more for a 0.1" smaller group, and how does your gun shoot them should be your deciding factors.
 
#5
Re: Hornady .224 75BTHP vs. Sierra 77 SMK vs. Nosl

"They do recommend a twist rate of at least 1:8 though."

Really?

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24 grains of Varget behind the 77 SMK and you'll be in good shape. The 77 SMK will shoot tighter groups with less fiddling out of more different rifles than the 75 BTHP will, from my experience. Never had to fiddle with a 77 - just load to target velocity and pump 'em out.
 
#6
Re: Hornady .224 75BTHP vs. Sierra 77 SMK vs. Nosl

I guess that's what i get for replying so quickly while at work! I did recheck a box of 77 smk's after your post, and mine states "7"-8" twist bbls only". Maybe they just started recommending higher twist rates? Seems like i read somewhere that 1:9" twists were only recommended for 68-69gn or lower?
 
#7
Re: Hornady .224 75BTHP vs. Sierra 77 SMK vs. Nosl

It is a well documented fact that if you run 77 gr. bullets in a 9 twist barrel, the universe will cease to exist.

Who reads labels? Try em'.
grin.gif


John
 
#8
Re: Hornady .224 75BTHP vs. Sierra 77 SMK vs. Nosl

Exactly, how they shoot in your gun should be the over riding factor. Try them all, at the intended range, and go from there. I will predict that the smk's are the most accurate, but let us know what you find with your rifle. Is it a stainless barrel with the Wylde chamber then? Bull barrel or whats the contour?

 
#9
Re: Hornady .224 75BTHP vs. Sierra 77 SMK vs. Nosl

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Nietzsche73</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Exactly, how they shoot in your gun should be the over riding factor. Try them all, at the intended range, and go from there. I will predict that the smk's are the most accurate, but let us know what you find with your rifle. Is it a stainless barrel with the Wylde chamber then? Bull barrel or whats the contour?

</div></div>

The rifle will be a Rock River Varmint 24" 1-8 twist, Magpul PRS, with I believe a Wilson bull barrel and wylde chamber. I ordered it back in Feb and was told it is to ship soon but who knows. I have some 77SMK's already and hornady 75's just not the noslers yet. I'm looking for the most accuracy, not too concerned with the price difference of the bullets.

I got the 24" heavy bbl to really try and stretch this thing out. I know the 77's are the max to be loaded to mag length. Anyone ever run these out to 1000? Maybe I'll try some 80's or so single loaded ones if the 77's dont hold up well way out.

Thanks,
Alan
 
#10
Re: Hornady .224 75BTHP vs. Sierra 77 SMK vs. Nosl

I seriously doubt any of them will perform well at 1000 yards, they just are not made for that. They will be fine to 600 and maybe a little more if the wind doesn't blow.

For the 1000 yards, you might look at 75 gr Begers or A-Max or the 80gr SMK, JLK and Bergers. My favorite is the JLK. They will do it in a 1:8 twist.
 
#11
Re: Hornady .224 75BTHP vs. Sierra 77 SMK vs. Nosl

The Mk262 Mod 1 ammo the .mils use launches a cannelured 77 smk at 2800 FPS out of the 18" barreled Mk12 12 and SDM rifles at a MV of 2800 FPS using a powder that is not available to us. In that WS the MEF, Maximum Effective Range is 700 meters/770 yards.

The USMC rifle team uses a load like this out of their Service Rifles in competition at 600 yards. Us Civies settle for a load that runs about 100 FPS slower that is a safe, "all weather" (meaning temperature) load. When I shoot such a load at 600, which is rare, in light to moderate winds I take my normal warm 75 VLD load as a reference and DOUBLE the wind call. I am in moderate conditions happy to let my hot VLD load get blown around the X ring, but with the mag length load I'll not be so cavalier in order to try to stay centered up.

1k at sea level with these loads is clearly a Hail Mary shot at best. See this thread for reference on how little energy is left that far out, even at 8000' ASL.

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1325732&page=1

 
#14
Re: Hornady .224 75BTHP vs. Sierra 77 SMK vs. Nosl

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: NineHotel</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The Mk262 Mod 1 ammo the .mils use launches a cannelured 77 smk at 2800 FPS out of the 18" barreled Mk12 12 and SDM rifles at a MV of 2800 FPS using a powder that is not available to us. In that WS the MEF, Maximum Effective Range is 700 meters/770 yards.

</div></div>
I do some ammo testing for a local ammo builder with contracts to build MK262 MOD0 I have some of the SSSS powder it looks dual base and meters well ,It took a 80 VLD from a 26" barrel 3300FPS ,But accuracy was shit,I need to work with it a little more I have a load using 75BTHP in an 18" barrel that gives me 2950 it is hotter than the ammo builder usese for mk262,But I have a LMT enhance 3 port bolt carrier and rifle gas system to bleed the preasure down I am still working up loads with it.

NO I cant get any for anyone I can only get what I use for-myself..
 
#16
Re: Hornady .224 75BTHP vs. Sierra 77 SMK vs. Nosl

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: NineHotel</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Yea ASM1 and if 1SMALLJOHNSON were any kind of a team playa we'd all have 20 pounds of that special sauce sitting on the shelf
wink.gif
</div></div>
I don't understand why we cant just buy it what the hell you know?

I may be a guinea pig cause they know I am gonna jack that shit up and see what happens..
 
#18
Re: Hornady .224 75BTHP vs. Sierra 77 SMK vs. Nosl

I have a Bushmaster 18" semi-heavy contour barrel in 1:9. I have reloaded and fired everything from 40gr V-max to the 77gr SMK. The most accurate loads in my rifle were 52gr BTHP Sierras and 69gr BTHP Sierras. I also used different powders H335, W748 and IMR4895. I didn't expect much from the 77gr on account of the twist but was surprised by the accuracy...still didn't beat out the 69gr though. Like many of the comments above mention it all depends on your rifle, the powder your using, the projectile you are firing, the stars in the heavens and the harmonious balance of the universe. Since I've started reloading it seems that I'm constantly in "load development" mode. There are many variables in reloading components alone. You may end up firing several hundred rounds before figuring out what your "rifle likes". In the end it really does come down to finding that combination of components that your "rifle likes". Just reload, fire, reload, fire and reload. It's all a learning process of building knowledge and experience by doing it many times.
 
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