6.5 SMK vs A-Max 140/142 - preferences?

358Rooster

358Rooster

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I'm wondering what others have for preferences on the use of 140 SMK or A-Max and 142 SMK; which do you prefer and why? If I recall correctly, the A-Max and the 142 SMK have BC's that are very similar, while the 140 SMK has slightly less advertised efficiency.

I've just finished shooting the last of my A-Maxes through my .260 Surgeon / Krieger with reasonably good results and there are no more to be found in my area. I'm honestly down to Hornady 140 BTHP but I see a few site sponsors who are listing A-Maxes and Match Kings - whether or not they're in stock is yet to be seen. I haven't shot anything aside from the Hornadys in this new-to-me rifle.

I just wanted to know what some of you thought before I commit to a 500 pc box of 142 SMK's (if it even exists right now) or go back to the A-Maxes. Thanks guys!

Rooster
 
These work well
Berger 140 gr Match Hybrid Target BC 0.618

Maybe these Accubond LR for hunting

6-5mm-129gr-ABLR-58943.jpg
ABLR 6.5MM 129GR. SPITZER
G1 BALLISTIC COEFFICIENT 0.561
G7 BALLISTIC COEFFICIENT 0.285
 
Thanks guys. I had a bunch of the Hybrids on order through WSS, as they showed stock at another store but was informed on the weekend that these only showed as a result of that store having them on backorder or some such. And at $65/100........:puke:

Peter, your site is showing stock but is your list current? Also, I have no experience whatsoever with Scenars - are they jump tolerant like Match Kings? How do most guys run them?

As for the ABLR, I think I'll hold off until I hear more reveiws - that BC sure seems ambitious to me and it's not as though there is a vast selection to choose from lately, to be able to be a guinea pig for a new product. Hence my 'just shoot it and be happy you have something' use of the Hornady BTHP. Actually, I've gone to 1050 yards with them but I'd sure appreciate something with a bit less drift:redface:

Rooster
 
what is the bc difference of the bthp and amax?if u got the bthp and they shoot reasonably well, go with them. I haven't found and 140 amax up here since july.I have the 140 smk and they shoot excellent in both 6.5cm and 6.5 swede.
 
Many perefer the Lapua 139 Scenar.
Click to expand...
^. Indeed.
My go to 6.5 target bullet is 140 Amax ...thats where I start off with a new load developement. Have found it to be very good in many different rifles. &... It does cost less $, :D . Many times, that bullet wants a light (0.015" - 0.020") jam, to really shine. There has, however, been some substantial variance of shank length to ogive in newer lots, have found myself needing to tweak the seater in and out , of late. A recent QC issue?.
Capable of stellar accuracy tho, & without much fiddling about to get 'er in there, in my experience.

139 Scenar is an awesome bullet. Never met a 6.5 that has ever outright rejected 'em. This bullet, it can be scarey accurate, once you've done your load tuning homework. Excellent BC, buck's the wind very well.
&, the farther out you go, the better moa they tend to want to group. Uncanny.
My affection for Scenar stems from these characteristics. 1. Seating depth. Not as fussy as some others. Some barrels do prefer a jam, others, they like jump ... some really stellar loads have been set back up to 0.050 off the lands!. Vary that distance?, in or out, by 0.015"? ... no big deal. Some barrel's won't even notice. 2. Consistentcy. They are. Never have I measured more than a few thou. more/less to the ogive from lot to lot. This, over 15 years of use.
3. Mil. duplication loads. Seated to mil. spec. length, over 46+- grains of Re 22, ... super accurate, and the group's fall right under the sights(vert.) at 300m from most M38/M96 rifles.
 
I like the 139's as well, nicely made and consistent and as mentioned they don't seem to be a picky bullet to get to shoot well, I now shoot them in the low 2900's with my 260 but they also had a very nice node around 2720-2750, didn't play with any in between speeds.
 
Several possibilities if interested.

hrn 140gr Amax are possible for Nov.

I have a few boxes of Berger 140gr Hybrids left. 140gr VLD coming in Nov'ish.

Sierra 142's are popular with some F class shooters.

Lapua 139s are a great bullet and I shot a ton of them in F class but moved to Berger for the higher BC.

Jerry
 
Thanks to all who replied here. Seems there is far more availability around than what I've found locally. You all should know though, that you're not very helpful in steering a guy in one specific direction!Laugh2

In all seriousness though, thanks for the input. I've had an amazing amount of guys PM me about personal stocks that they'll graciously sell me. I've found a few A-Maxes, some 142 Match Kings, and some Scenars. Once I get some of these ironed out, I'll give the Hybrids a go at some point as well.

I'm also as curious as Blackbeard as to the real world difference between the 140 and 142 SMK's. I suspect, by Jerry's post, that the 142's are more prevalent in F-class because of the slightly higher BC, not necessarily an accuracy edge. Maybe? Anyone?

Thanks again,
Rooster
 
I am playing with the Matrix 136 gr and they are proving to be a winner as well. My standard though is Lapua Scenars 139 gr because they shoot so well and Peter Dobson is excellent to deal with.

I have a 284 win coming and I have 5 boxes of the Matrix 190 coming for that, looking forward to see the results I get on that at 1000m.
 
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