I think I'm going to run my 168 SMKs at 2550 FPS

[waste_knot]

Any downside to running 168 SMK at 2550. Sure is easy on the brass and it's 1250 FPS at 800 yrds.
42.5 Gr. IMR 4895 2550 FPS
42.7 Gr. Varget 2550 FPS
22" Bartlien 5R

 

[dmiller369]

Re: I think I'm going to run my 168 SMKs at 2550 FPS

I run 168 smk with 42gr of imr 4895 it is definitely my rifles sweet spot.

now if you plan on shooting long range, your going to want to shoot atleast a 175 gr if my memory serves me correctly.

my savage fcns consistently shoots .5 to .75 MOA with that load. good luck.

I suggest a heavier round because the 168 does stay super sonic out to that distance. when it slows down and becomes sub sonic it cause te bullet to wobble. guys with more knowledge than me will be able to give you the exact yardage or fps.

 

[waste_knot]

Re: I think I'm going to run my 168 SMKs at 2550 FPS

Not shooting anything over 800 at this point. The 168's get me to 800 even at 2500. I just question the logic of FGMM and other factory ammo running at 2650 and eveybody loading 168's to 2600 and 2700.
I may have to try a load around 42gr

 

[insight3b]

Re: I think I'm going to run my 168 SMKs at 2550 FPS

No

 

[insight3b]

Re: I think I'm going to run my 168 SMKs at 2550 FPS

No

 

[1lnbrdg]

Re: I think I'm going to run my 168 SMKs at 2550 FPS

My 168's run 3010fps with 43.0gr IMR-4895 and it's not a hot load. Saying that, I'm shooting a 32" Palma barrel so I get a bit more than others velocity wise. 2650 ~ 2700 isn't to hard to get with the 168's with most barrels but if you have a lighter load that shoots well, that's better than a hotter load that doesn't shoot well.

My go-to load for Mid-range matches, 155's pushed with 44.0gr H-4895 with a vel of 2960. Light recoil and better than any prize in a cracker-jack box.

 

[1lnbrdg]

Re: I think I'm going to run my 168 SMKs at 2550 FPS

My 168's run 3010fps with 43.0gr IMR-4895 and it's not a hot load. Saying that, I'm shooting a 32" Palma barrel so I get a bit more than others velocity wise. 2650 ~ 2700 isn't to hard to get with the 168's with most barrels but if you have a lighter load that shoots well, that's better than a hotter load that doesn't shoot well.

My go-to load for Mid-range matches, 155's pushed with 44.0gr H-4895 with a vel of 2960. Light recoil and better than any prize in a cracker-jack box.

 

[DieselWSM]

Re: I think I'm going to run my 168 SMKs at 2550 FPS

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: waste_knot</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Any downside to running 168 SMK at 2550. Sure is easy on the brass and it's 1250 FPS at 800 yrds.
42.5 Gr. IMR 4895 2550 FPS
42.7 Gr. Varget 2550 FPS
22" Bartlien 5R </div></div>

Trans-sonic & sub-sonic are relative to temperature. At 50F that is about 1105 fps and with 2550 fps you can get about 900yds before you hit this mark. My personal opinion (you know what they say about that) is that I wouldnt chance shooting a round that close to falling into sub-sonic, especially in a match. The bullet tends to wobble and key hole when this happens and can impact accuracy tremendously. I will not shoot a 168 past 600yds and that is my preference. When I started shooting 1kyd matches I went to the 175s and now looking into shooting Berger Juggernauts due to higher BC and ability to "buck the wind".