Load 175 SMK from 2.800 to 2.820, dangerous?

[hk dave]

Hey folks. Fairly new to reloading. Doing it to save money more than chasing super accuracy. FGMM is just too expensive nowadays.

Have a new custom GAP with Surgeon 591/R and Bartlein 26" barrel. Shoots 3/8" 5 shot groups with FGMM at 100 yards.

Loading 175 SMK, Varget, Rem 9 1/2 Primers, FC brass.

When I originally ran a ladder test, I didn't see pressure signs until 44.5gr with OAL of 2.800"

The ladder test didn't go as planned (40gr to 45gr had something like a 1.5" vertical deviation at 300 yards and everything was touching or nearly so. It was just silly) and it's too time consuming for a working man like myself to chase it.

I'm thinking of loading to 43.5gr with OAL of 2.820" and being done with it and just load up a few thousand rounds and have at it.

What say you? Safe to increase the OAL even though I see land marks on the bullet when I chamber at that length? I barely see a hint of land marks at 2.810". At 2.800" there are no marks.

Think I'll experience a dangerous pressure spike at 2.820"? I really like my new rifle... and I also really like my fingers and stuff.

 

[dustinoif3]

Do you have a comparator to measure the ogive instead of overall length? I would be measuring there instead of overall length because the noses of bullets vary slightly. Easy answer though to your question. If it shoots lights out at 2.800 then I would leave it. No sense in approaching the lands anymore if it shoots 3/8. Prolly wont gain much and then you'd be messing with pressure gains and having to re work load if its in excess.

 

[ChrisGarrett]

If it ain't broke...

I like to cheat out, based on mag length, but if you're shooting 3/8ths at 100yds at 2.800 why bother, unless you just like to fiddle, like I do?

Chris

 

[hk dave]

LOL thanks for the responses.

Well you know... if I can get to 1/4" at 100 yards by moving from 2.800 to 2.820. Just wanna make sure nothing blows up because I pushed the bullet into the lands and created an environment for an unsafe pressure spike.

 

[kansas]

Every rifle is different buy mine likes to jump 175 SMKs .020.

 

[P7id10t]

If you're going to load to 2.820, knowing it's jammed, start with low powder and work up. Find your sweet spot and then load 1,000's.
Nothin' wrong with tinkering as long as you bring along it's essential companion, common sense.

 

[hk dave]

Sounds like I should just bring it back down to 2.800"

Drats... recently finished loading up 300 rounds to 2.820" too. Ah well.. least this part is easy.

 

[targaflorio]

You had a .5 moa dispersion over 5 grs and want to change the the oal?
I would stick to the original oal.

 

[Silverbullet2]

I wouldn't load a huge lot of ammo, things might change and your left with pulling a lot of bullets. No fun! I'd say load 150-250 rounds at a time, and call it good. Just my .02, J

 

[Creature]

Sounds like I should just bring it back down to 2.800"

Drats... recently finished loading up 300 rounds to 2.820" too. Ah well.. least this part is easy.

Unless you crimped them you could always set the seating die to 2.800 and run them through again.

My go to powder charge for 178gr/175gr bullets is 44.5grs of Varget. On my FNH PBR I seat to 2.845 and haven't had any issues. I've done the same and had any pressure signs on it either. Of course your rifle is different and you'll have to find your sweet spot. If you're getting 3/8ths with 2.800 I'd stay with that. Cheers

 

[DHDeal]

There's some good advice about getting a comparator set up. You will use it a lot. Also get the headspace gauge kit while you are at it. It will probably set you back $50-60, but it is money well spent. You will KNOW if you are jamming or not. You will also KNOW where to set up your sizing die or dies. There are ways to do it without the kit, and they might work okay, but with the kits you will not have to guess.

Also IMHO, I would not get caught up in loading hundreds of rounds at a time. Just load what you want to shoot. I have loaded too much up before and wanted to change something. You either just shoot up all that ammo, or you pull it down. I do not find pulling loaded ammo down fun.

Also good advice about what to do id your OAL is too long. Just seat them a little deeper. How? Well, by using your comparators measurements of course.

I have found a nice sweet spot in the 43.5 to 44 grain range with Varget and the 175 smk.

Good luck and be safe. Handloading can be a chore at times, but to me it is enjoyable.

 

[Beluebow]

Being .001 off the lands isnt a ideal place to be.Your bullets base to ogive will vary that much if not more.Some might be into the lands some off and some just kissing.Then again it may not make a hill of beans in your rifle.

 

[armorpl8chikn]

SMK's are a bullet that thrive on the jump. Jamming the lands is a wonderful thing that is far more often than not unnecessary, or even counterproductive. DON"T go ahead and jam the lands unless you back off the load. If you are shooting 3/8's of an inch what else do you need? Unless you are planning to shoot some VFS BR matches I would leave it alone and just load up a couple hundred rounds. Why keep wearing your barrel out, chasing something you don't need?

 

[hk dave]

Thanks for all the advice folks.

Went and pushed all the bullets back in with an OAL of 2.800".

Interesting to note, even at 2.800", when I load a round without firing, I get the tiniest bit of what looks like land markings.

 

[JGorski]

Brad Suave jumps his 175s .018", his rifle is pretty accurate that way, LOL! He uses 43grs Varget, btw. I shoot the 168AMAX like .110" off, that works, too, seating them closer doesnt work from my testing.

 

[JGorski]

Thanks for all the advice folks.

Went and pushed all the bullets back in with an OAL of 2.800".

Interesting to note, even at 2.800", when I load a round without firing, I get the tiniest bit of what looks like land markings.

I know what Sierra would tell you if you're getting vertical at 300yds, seat that bullet in another .010".