Sierra MatchKing 168 grain .308

[joemusso]

if this is not in the right forum please move.

i need a little help here i have a .308 Remington 700 krieger 1-12 twist.

i want to shoot targets accurately and reliably out to 1000 yards it this possible with my setup.

i have no load data work up yet just got everything together.
using 168 gr Sierra MatchKing
and lupua brass.

thank you
joe

 

[Kevlars]

Re: Sierra MatchKing 168 grain .308

I would check into federal 210M primers and Varget. I use the 175 SMK and use 44.5 gn. Do you have a Chronograph ?

 

[YAOG]

Re: Sierra MatchKing 168 grain .308

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: joemusso</div><div class="ubbcode-body">if this is not in the right forum please move.

i need a little help here i have a .308 Remington 700 krieger 1-12 twist.

i want to shoot targets accurately and reliably out to 1000 yards it this possible with my setup.

i have no load data work up yet just got everything together.
using 168 gr Sierra MatchKing
and lupua brass.

thank you
joe
</div></div>


Hi Joe,

For a 168g SMK bullet 1K yards is a stretch. The 168g SMK is not a very efficient a bullet and is easily bested by the 168g Hornady AMAX which is approaching 175g SMK performance in terms of BC. Even a 175g SMK would need to be moving at the upper limits of what is reasonable with a moderate length production barrel of 24" or so. The Hornady 178g Match is about as efficient as bullet as you can get for a .308 Win. But the Hornady Match 178g bullet may need a custom chamber to really get the most out of it due to its unique shape.

It is possible to shoot 1K yards with the 168g SMK but it is not likely to be that accurate by that point down range.

 

[YAOG]

Re: Sierra MatchKing 168 grain .308


Joe,

Go look at JBM's website and use the calculators to find out how fast a 168g SMK needs to be traveling to stay supersonic past 1K yards.

HTH!

 

[joemusso]

Re: Sierra MatchKing 168 grain .308

i have a 26" barrel am i limited by the twist rate 1-12?

 

[427Cobra]

Re: Sierra MatchKing 168 grain .308

12 twist is perfect for 168\175 SMK's, use the 168's for inside 600, when there gone buying nothing but 175smk or 178amax\bthp will enable you to learn to shoot accurately at 1000

 

[joemusso]

Re: Sierra MatchKing 168 grain .308

ok cool thank you everyone for the info.
it was very helpful.

i am very new to the reloading stuff. does the primer make a difference should i get anyone specific.


thank you
joe

 

[427Cobra]

Re: Sierra MatchKing 168 grain .308

My Chronograph and Targets tell me there is no difference in Fed 210\210M and CCi 200\BR2, but my wallet sure can tell the difference.

 

[High Binder]

Re: Sierra MatchKing 168 grain .308

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 427Cobra</div><div class="ubbcode-body">My Chronograph and Targets tell me there is no difference in Fed 210\210M </div></div>

This ^^ has been my experience as well.

 

[YAOG]

Re: Sierra MatchKing 168 grain .308

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: joemusso</div><div class="ubbcode-body">i have a 26" barrel am i limited by the twist rate 1-12?

</div></div>

No, a 1 in 12" twist is perfect and actually what the 168g SMK bullets were developed with for 300yard competitions. The limit is simply ballistics, a 168g SMK leaving at 2,700fps starts to become unstable past 800yards or so as they start to go trans-sonic. The threshold used is typically about 1.2x supersonic at sea level. So unless you can push a 168g SMK out the barrel at 2,850-2,900fps you will likely have some issues with tumbling.

Use a better bullet so solve this issue. Sierra 175g MK or better yet Hornady 178g Match are both capable of solid 1,000 yard shooting in your gun.

 

[YAOG]

Re: Sierra MatchKing 168 grain .308

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: joemusso</div><div class="ubbcode-body">i have a 26" barrel am i limited by the twist rate 1-12?

</div></div>

Joe,

I forgot to say that the common 175g SMK leaving at 2,600fps is barely an improvement over a 2,700fps 168g SMK in terms of velocity as both are out of gas by 925 yards or so. The 168g A-Max at 2,700fps is nearly as good as an 175g SMK. The Hornady 178g Match bullet on the other hand is nearly still clearly supersonic at 1,100 yards!

HTH!

 

[Hunt3r]

Re: Sierra MatchKing 168 grain .308

Hello everyone, new to the 'Hide.
I've had basically the same expirience as everybody else here, the 168 SMK is amazingly accurate at shorter distances but mine start to keyhole after 850 or so. I'm looking into the 178 Amax next as I couldn't get the 175's to shoot very well from my 26' Hart.
I love the 308 but when my barrel burns out, it will probably become a 260.

 

[YAOG]

Re: Sierra MatchKing 168 grain .308

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Hunt3r</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hello everyone, new to the 'Hide.
I've had basically the same expirience as everybody else here, the 168 SMK is amazingly accurate at shorter distances but mine start to keyhole after 850 or so. I'm looking into the 178 Amax next as I couldn't get the 175's to shoot very well from my 26' Hart.
I love the 308 but when my barrel burns out, it will probably become a 260. </div></div>

Have you got a chronograph? If so how fast are your 168g SMKs moving? 178g AMAX are no better performing in the real world than 175g SMKs. Try the 178g Hornady Match bullets they are good for almost 200yards farther at 1,000 yards for a given muzzle velocity.

 

[aojones]

Re: Sierra MatchKing 168 grain .308

The 178's are better in my Remington PSS at 1000 then the 168's, 26" barrel but still noticable out past 700 or 800 yards.

 

[Hunt3r]

Re: Sierra MatchKing 168 grain .308

I do have a chrono...
My 168 SMK load is currently 42 grains of Varget, Federal 210 primers, Lapua Brass. It pushes them at about 2610, very slow but extremely accurate. If I shoved them faster, the accuracy starts to degrade.
I suppose Varget would be a good choice for the 178 Amax's too? Do you fellows concure? Any advice would be appreciated with regard to powder choice.
To Joe: I've always liked Varget for the 168, have tried maney others with acceptable results though.
How do you guys like the 155 grain bullets? Any good at 1K?

 

[YAOG]

Re: Sierra MatchKing 168 grain .308

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Hunt3r</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I do have a chrono...
My 168 SMK load is currently 42 grains of Varget, Federal 210 primers, Lapua Brass. It pushes them at about 2610, very slow but extremely accurate. If I shoved them faster, the accuracy starts to degrade.</div></div>

That is pretty slow but probably works well out to 400-500yards or so. A 168g SMK usually is moving along at 2,700fps even out of my 12,000 round 24" barrel.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Hunt3r</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I suppose Varget would be a good choice for the 178 Amax's too? Do you fellows concure? Any advice would be appreciated with regard to powder choice. </div></div>

With a 178g AMAX over 42.3g of Varget your velocity will stay about the same and the timing will be similar.

Also try 42.0g of IMR 4895 which will get the bullet out of the barrel by about the same time as your 168SMK over 42.0g of Varget, should shoot similarly but you might still find a bit more consistency by messing with it a bit.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Hunt3r</div><div class="ubbcode-body">To Joe: I've always liked Varget for the 168, have tried maney others with acceptable results though.
How do you guys like the 155 grain bullets? Any good at 1K?</div></div>

H4895, IMR4895, BL-C2, 8208XBR, Varget, RL-17 all work pretty well if you have solid case prep, good seating and a forgiving throat in your tube.

As far as 155g bullets goes IMO unless you are willing to really push the limits 26" factory tubes are chambered all wrong, too short and too loose to get you to 1,000yards reliably. I think you should be looking at the 175g SMK or 178g Hornady Match bullets for good results at 1,000 yards and a factory barrel.

HTH!

 

[Niles Coyote]

Re: Sierra MatchKing 168 grain .308

Ran a quick JBM with an altitude of 2000’ at 70 degrees @2700fps. It shows the load will be just barely subsonic at 1000 (mach .999). So if you are able to shoot it faster or have a higher altitude or a warmer temp of 70 where you will be shooting you should be fine. It wouldn’t hurt to try them. But don’t discount 175’s 180’s or even 190’s with a 12 twist they will all work in it, I know because I have shot them in 12’s. There are guys on this forum that are even running 208 a max from 12 twists FWIW.

 

[YAOG]

Re: Sierra MatchKing 168 grain .308

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Niles Coyote</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Ran a quick JBM with an altitude of 2000’ at 70 degrees @2700fps. It shows the load will be just barely subsonic at 1000 (mach .999). So if you are able to shoot it faster or have a higher altitude or a warmer temp of 70 where you will be shooting you should be fine. It wouldn’t hurt to try them. But don’t discount 175’s 180’s or even 190’s with a 12 twist they will all work in it, I know because I have shot them in 12’s. There are guys on this forum that are even running 208 a max from 12 twists FWIW. </div></div>

The OP just posted that his pet load is 2,600fps wherever he was shooting them over a chrono. 1.2x supersonic at sea level is the military standard.

 

[joemusso]

Re: Sierra MatchKing 168 grain .308

i dont mind running a heaver projectile or different load. i just want the gun to shoot at it's potential.

im just getting started in reloading and long rang shooting.

i really appreciate all the info you guys have gave.

joe

 

[joemusso]

Re: Sierra MatchKing 168 grain .308

would a longer barrel help?

i have a krieger 1-12 31" blank im getting ready to have installed i was going to have it cut to 26 or 27" let me know what you think.

this is the barrel i mention in original post.

 

[Action Jack]

Re: Sierra MatchKing 168 grain .308

That is pretty slow but probably works well out to 400-500yards or so. A 168g SMK usually is moving along at 2,700fps even out of my 12,000 round 24" barrel.

12,000 rounds and still going strong, ay?.... That's like a human living to 100 years and still competing in marathon running.

Must be an FN SPR????? Do tell.

 

[Niles Coyote]

Re: Sierra MatchKing 168 grain .308

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: joemusso</div><div class="ubbcode-body">would a longer barrel help?

i have a krieger 1-12 31" blank im getting ready to have installed i was going to have it cut to 26 or 27" let me know what you think.

this is the barrel i mention in original post. </div></div>

FWIW, my rock creek barrel is 21.75" and I am able to get 168's going 2720 and 175's @ 2690 without pressure signs on my brass. A Krieger barrel 26 or 27" long should add 50 fps at a minimum, with the potential of much more.

 

[jdmartin]

Re: Sierra MatchKing 168 grain .308


How do you guys like the 155 grain bullets? Any good at 1K?
[/quote]
The new hybrid 155 Bergers have a BC of.483 - almost as high as the 175 smk (.505) and can probably be pushed 200 fps faster.They are worth a try.As YAOG stated,when most 155's are used at 1000 ,they are usually pushed hard(>2900) in longer barrels.Then the Berger vld ,Scenar,and smk palma 155's will work.

 

[Nepatriots]

Have you tried 168 gr alco bullets