LR-260 - 123gr vs 142gr SMKs

[lte82]

Has anyone compared the 123gr vs 142gr SMKs in their 260 gas guns?

I've got a DPMS 24" 1:8.5 24" bull barrel and looking for some feedback on what has been working well.

Most of my shots will be at 300-1000 yards, but on occasion will take it further. Looks like the 123gr stays supersonic until 1200, with the 142 staying above out to 1400, but I'm more interested in grouping at 300-1000 than which one I can stretch the furthest...

I've got a lot of the 123's already, but if the 142s are better I'll pick up some of those.

 

[AMMOWASTER]

Every gun is a little different so you will just need to shoot both. If you find a good load with your 123's it should cover the ranges you are looking at just fine.

 

[Pat M]

I've stayed with the 142's , as i would have to run the lighter bullets a fair bit faster to get same wind drift & i like to hear the steel hits at long range / and big dirt impact for misses

 

[Newtrick]

Been shooting 140's out of that rifle with more than good luck.

 

[ss355]

I, too, have a DPMS 24", though mine it chambered in Creedmoor. I thought I wanted to go with the 120 grn class of bullets to make for a slightly lighter recoiling load, but after shooting in heavy winds at 750, I'm convinced, like Pat M, that the 140s are the way to go for the better wind drift. One can always dial for elevation.

 

[LRRPF52]

I've had good results with every bullet I've tried except the 140gr A-MAX, but I really haven't worked with the A-MAX enough to write it off.

Using RL17, I had amazing results with the 142gr SMK right off the bat-first ladder test. I'm running a GAP .260 Rem 22" Bartlein-barreled AR that they built for me before they had the GAP-10 line.

I prefer the 130gr VLD though. It's the happy medium for me in the gas gun, and at 2850fps, it matches or beats a 142gr SMK at 2700fps at 1000yds.

I'm looking forward to working with some of the new 136gr Lapua Scenar-L's.

 

[Newtrick]

I've had good results with every bullet I've tried except the 140gr A-MAX, but I really haven't worked with the A-MAX enough to write it off.

Using RL17, I had amazing results with the 142gr SMK right off the bat-first ladder test. I'm running a GAP .260 Rem 22" Bartlein-barreled AR that they built for me before they had the GAP-10 line.

I prefer the 130gr VLD though. It's the happy medium for me in the gas gun, and at 2850fps, it matches or beats a 142gr SMK at 2700fps at 1000yds.



I'm looking forward to working with some of the new 136gr Lapua Scenar-L's.

I would't write off the 140 Amax's. That has turned out to be the best projectile for me. I have exactly the rifle that started this thread. They shoot .5 ish. and hammer at 800 and beyond. It really pisses off my friends with expensive bolt guns.

 

[LRRPF52]

I would't write off the 140 Amax's. That has turned out to be the best projectile for me. I have exactly the rifle that started this thread. They shoot .5 ish. and hammer at 800 and beyond. It really pisses off my friends with expensive bolt guns.

Roger. I just haven't done enough load development with them to say my rifle won't shoot them well. I get excellent results with the 123gr A-MAX from my button-rifled Grendel, so if the 140gr A-MAX's are made the same way, I should be able to find at least 2 nodes in my Bartlein barreled .260 that shoots them well.

 

[nutter89]

123s are my go to out of a 22" bartlein on a DPMS build I have a buddy that runs 130s out of the exact same setup and loves them getting decent velocity with h4350 and awesome groups out to distance.

 

[lte82]

Got a chance to shoot some of the 123gr SMKs today.

2.80" OAL
New lapua brass
H414 (40-44gr)
123gr smk
cci br2 primers

40gr: 3/4"
41gr: 3/4"
42gr: 1/2" (4 touching, 1 I pulled just a hair)
43gr: 3/4"
44gr: 1 1/2" group (flat primers, definitely too much pressure)

These were all 5 shot groups, and the barrel had only five sighters prior to shooting these groups.

I know some people have had issues with action cycling with the h414 and/or lighter bullets, but mine cycled perfectly even with a light charge of 40gr.