168gr SMK
- Thread starter Rotaxpower
- Start date
I just bought 500 and then found out that they are not good pass 600 yards (apparently the tumble at very long range), so there goes my 200$, just trying to develop the good load & bullet combo for long range 300-1000 yard for my 10 twist 24" gun, I will try 175 Bergers VLD it supposed to be the better bullet for that range and twist, so if You are thinking of long range read more about the bullet if it is till 300 yards You good to go with 168
Paul
Paul
There is for sure "something wrong" with Sierra 168MK at long range. One example I've seen is when a good shooter's 168s couln't regularly hit the target at the old Fredericton 1000 yard range, as they tumbled. As mentioned, Sirerra 155/175/190 work well, as do Lapua 167/155 and so on. Beside low BC, there is something in the design, possibly being so short, that causes them to tumble in transonic zone. No serious FClass shooters use them.
Missing Something
Regular
Well... If anyone should know, Peter would know....
Looks like I have to go out to the range and experiment ....
At 1000m I have shot more steel targets than paper and have had no issues that I can recall... but if the bullet tumbles at that distance and still hits a steel target it doesnt really matter and you would never know.
I havent shot my .308 out at any real distance in a long while as the .338 Lapua is far better for long range (IMO).
Looks like I have to go out to the range and experiment ....
At 1000m I have shot more steel targets than paper and have had no issues that I can recall... but if the bullet tumbles at that distance and still hits a steel target it doesnt really matter and you would never know.
I havent shot my .308 out at any real distance in a long while as the .338 Lapua is far better for long range (IMO).
The 168 Sierra can be made to shoot 1,000 yards, IF it is driven fast enough. This can be done with a 300 Win mag or with a 308 with a 30" barrel loaded to very high pressure.
The 175 MK is the same bullet as the 168 with a longer boat tail. It is much better behaved in a regular barrel at normal pressures.
Why buy the short tail when a long one is now available?
The 175 MK is the same bullet as the 168 with a longer boat tail. It is much better behaved in a regular barrel at normal pressures.
Why buy the short tail when a long one is now available?
I looked on the Sierra's site but could not find anything about intended / specified distances in which their bullets are designed. I'd be interested in reading more about this matter. What's your source or some links regarding intended distances for these bullet designs?
Regards,
Regards,
Ganderite was in the ammo business, won the Gold Cross at Bisley and has shot longrange for decades, so he's a source. Almost always, experienced longrange shooters are the best source for information on the sport at which they excel. They are often experimenters and result-driven and don't use Sierra 168 at the longs.
Regards,
Peter
Lapua in Canada
Regards,
Peter
Lapua in Canada
No doubt. There is ABSOLUTELY no substitute for experience. I was just wondering if there was some more detailed literature on the matter. I found lots of little clips & quarks on the net but nothing too detailed. They were mostly brief opinions both pro & con the 168 SMK & long range and most were very short threads on similar styled forums.
Regards,
Regards,
I shoot 168 SMK's and love em. I dont intend to shoot past 600 yards with them though. I tried to duplicate the M852 military round.
The 168's were the cats meow back in the day, but for 700+ yards, everyone is right - the 175's function better.
However, up to 600 yards, they preform near identical. So, if you intend to shoot up to 600 yards, buy whatever is cheaper. If 700+ grab the better performers!
Just my 2 cents.
PS- here is one of the documents i have stashed away in my .308 archive. It shows the M118LR (which I believe has the 175 grain bullet) shows better performance past 700 yards.
The 168's were the cats meow back in the day, but for 700+ yards, everyone is right - the 175's function better.
However, up to 600 yards, they preform near identical. So, if you intend to shoot up to 600 yards, buy whatever is cheaper. If 700+ grab the better performers!
Just my 2 cents.
PS- here is one of the documents i have stashed away in my .308 archive. It shows the M118LR (which I believe has the 175 grain bullet) shows better performance past 700 yards.
