Range Report Which bullet for 1000 yds? 168gr AMAX or 175gr SMK

[Howie Feltersnatch]

I have quite a bit of a dilemma. With the reloading equipment I recently purchased came with 1,800 168gr SMK's. However through shooting and understand ballistics I understand these won't go 1,000 yards in an accurate fashion. In fact it becomes subsonic at 891 yards, which we all know is not good for 1,000 yard accuracy. The longest range that is around me is 1,000 yards, so that's all I want to have the capability to shoot, and do not need any further.

Barrel is Noveske 1x10 twist and 20 inches long

So I punched in the numbers on Sierra as follows (typical conditions):

Temp: 85*
RH- 75%
Alt- 90 ft ASL
BP- 30.00
Velocity- 2500 FPS (my accuracy node puts it out at 2,496 FPS so I used it across the board)

168gr SMK becomes subsonic at 891 yards
168gr AMAX becomes subsonic at 1,007 yards
175gr SMK becomes subsonic at 1,038 yards
178gr AMAX becomes subsonic at 1078 yards

That's on paper, but my question is what have you guys had the best experience with? Thanks in advance.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: Which bullet for 1000 yds? 168gr AMAX or 175gr SMK

At this point, with 1800 projectiles, I think it might be worth considering purchasing a .30-'06. With that chambering, 2800-2850fps might be achieveable with a decent length barrel, and that should get those 168's to 1Kyd doing well beyond 1200fps.

Greg

 

[Howie Feltersnatch]

Re: Which bullet for 1000 yds? 168gr AMAX or 175gr SMK

Thanks for the info Greg. Unfortunately I have already too much coin invested in the .308 platform and there are rounds that are capable.

 

[KIDGLOCK]

Re: Which bullet for 1000 yds? 168gr AMAX or 175gr SMK

You could sell the 168's and buy some 208's ( if you can find them ) .

maybe try a different powder , should change the node, and might get what your looking for .

Maybe invest in another tumbler and Moly those 1800 ..........

I think you can do better than 2500 outs that 20" and still find the sweet spot .

 

[Lucks]

Re: Which bullet for 1000 yds? 168gr AMAX or 175gr SMK

Can't go wrong with 175 SMK's. Might find a new accuracy node with them at a little higher velocity. If I was in your situation I would sell the 168's and buy some 175 SMK's.

 

[Howie Feltersnatch]

Re: Which bullet for 1000 yds? 168gr AMAX or 175gr SMK

I was leaning to the 175 SMK's after I read (maybe here even) that the AMAX's tip gets bent up and ruins the accuracy in a DBM weapon. Can anyone validate this? I do have a WTT ad up asking if anyone wants to trade a box or two of the 168's for 175's. Hopefully I can find someone who will.

 

[Rob01]

Re: Which bullet for 1000 yds? 168gr AMAX or 175gr SMK

Doesn't happen. As I said in the other thread I have shot many thousand AMAX bullets in different calibers in both bolt and semi rifles and never had any bullet tips deform during normal use and all I use is DBMs on my bolt guns. I have had double feed jams which did it but they would have done it to any bullet.

The polymer tip of the AMAX keeps the tip uniform. This is something people take time to do on HPBT bullets by either trimming the meplat, which drops the BC, or pointing the bullet. No need to do that with the AMAX.

If you are looking to reload try a box of the 178 AMAX. They're an excellent bullet.

 

[coldboremiracle]

Re: Which bullet for 1000 yds? 168gr AMAX or 175gr SMK

I would definately find someone to either trade or buy the 168's, and then buy either 175smk's or the 178 amax's. you will be much happier with them.

 

[Rob01]

Re: Which bullet for 1000 yds? 168gr AMAX or 175gr SMK

I wouldn't trade them off. Bullets are bullets and the 168 SMK is a good bullet as long as you know it's limitations. Use it for practice.

 

[Hi Speed]

Re: Which bullet for 1000 yds? 168gr AMAX or 175gr SMK

I have found 168's to be a little more accurate out to 600 yards out of my guns and the 175's take care of of the LR work. maybe a stabilization issue? Keep them puppies and work up a good midrange load with them. Buy some 175's and use them for 600+ yards.

 

[okiefired]

Re: Which bullet for 1000 yds? 168gr AMAX or 175gr SMK

If it were me, I think I'd sell or trade them for 178's (or 175's if you prefer SMK's). The 168's are a good bullet but in my rifles there is simply nothing the 178's wont do at least as well and usually better (I run them 2600+ outa my 20" LTR). For me, I see no reason to use two loads and bullets when the role can be played better with only one. JMO.

okie

 

[Howie Feltersnatch]

Re: Which bullet for 1000 yds? 168gr AMAX or 175gr SMK

Okie that was what I was thinking. I'm wanting to find my load that will handle 1000 yards, load them all up and keep them until they are used up and then repeat the process. Not have to worry about which load, keeping 2 different data cards, and so on.

Rob, thanks for the input. It sounded silly but people said that has happened to them?!?!?!

Hi speed yes the groups open up because they become subsonic around 890 yards.

Thanks for all the input guys. Keep it coming!

 

[oneswithfunes]

Re: Which bullet for 1000 yds? 168gr AMAX or 175gr SMK

I like 168's for range work. They seem to be a tad bit more accurate for me than the 175's. I shoot 208 Amax's for long range stuff. The 175 smk is also a good choice.

 

[ReaperDriver]

Re: Which bullet for 1000 yds? 168gr AMAX or 175gr SMK

I have some experience with both 168 AMAXs and 175 SMKs at 1000 yds out of a 20" (but 1:12). My 1st long range experience with either was at about 910 yds in the desert and the 168 AMAXs were just rocking. However, all the subsequent trips at 1000 yds I had mixed results with the 168 AMAXs. They would get there and I was getting hits, but not as consistantly as the 175 SMKs. It wasn't a gross difference - but noticable enough to see the 175s were doing better. So I think that last 100 yds or so of velocity loss was making a difference. Not to mention I was shooting at ~5000' DA. So that's going to make a difference from your Sea Level conditions.

While the 168 AMAXs seemed to "work" at 1K, IMHO the 178 AMAX or the 175 SMK is a far superior bullet beyond 800 or so.

I also have a bunch of 168 SMKs and honestly the 175s have been as or more accurate even at shorter ranges than the 168s. Which seems counter intuitive with my short barrel 1:12 twist.

 

[vman]

Re: Which bullet for 1000 yds? 168gr AMAX or 175gr SMK

+1 for 175 SMK's

 

[Howie Feltersnatch]

Re: Which bullet for 1000 yds? 168gr AMAX or 175gr SMK

Reaper- Thank you for your post.

Ones- 208's may be overkill LOL.

 

[Rob01]

Re: Which bullet for 1000 yds? 168gr AMAX or 175gr SMK

Having two different cards isn't a problem and honestly once you start shooting them you will remember your data to 600 yards which is about max I would use those 168s for good practice.

I only have a 400 yard range to practice on and use factory 168 AMAX loads for that but for matches I load the 178 AMAX when shooting to 1000+.

Your choice but I would just keep the stock of 168s and shoot them.

 

[pjparker]

Re: Which bullet for 1000 yds? 168gr AMAX or 175gr SMK

First and foremost:

Friends don't let friends shoot 168 SMK's at 1000 yds.

I tried an F class match with 168 SMK's thinking my 34" Krieger 1:13 twist would get them there fast enough to be stable. As I recall, I had a fairly good score and even hit the 3" shot spotter a couple of times. Each one of those holes in the white shot spotter was decidedly egg shaped from those 168's going through it sideways.

Use the stockpile of 168SMK's for up to 600 or for trade material and use something in the 175gr area for 1000. There are lots of good choices out there in that weight range

Paul

 

[Howie Feltersnatch]

Re: Which bullet for 1000 yds? 168gr AMAX or 175gr SMK

That's what I was told they would do, key holing past 800 yards or so. I think once I shoot up the 168's I'll go to 175's and truck along. 1000 is all I need as that's the furthest I can shoot, so that's all that's needed.

 

[bcrich]

Re: Which bullet for 1000 yds? 168gr AMAX or 175gr SMK

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: oneswithfunes</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I like 168's for range work. They seem to be a tad bit more accurate for me than the 175's. I shoot 208 Amax's for long range stuff. The 175 smk is also a good choice. </div></div>
I have had very similar results in my stock 700p the 168's gave me more x's than I was able to get with the 175's in 600yd f-class. I have used 178 amax and 175g smk and both are awesome for 1k yds