FGM .223,69gr Serra Match King BTHP

mildot

mildot

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Well I'm sure this is more of a ballistics questions, as opposed to a hunting question. So on to the question.
With a 20" Hvy contour barrel with a 1 in 8. What can I expect shooting this bullet weight? Now the rifle is being designed around a 300-600 "varmint" gun
(ie) coyote.Would a 22" make any "real" difference?
Can I obtain the same effect using say a 55gr? (same bullet style)

Now I won't be reloading, and I've had very good results with the FGM line in .308.I've be able to get myself a couple hundred rds of the .223 69gr
Cheers
 
You will get great accuracy out of the 69gr. SMK, much better than anything 55gr. out there. The BC of the 69gr. SMK is great and outperforms almost any other load. It will be one of the top accuracy loads in almost any .223 with at least 1 in 8" twist or faster, some 1 in 9" twist barrels even stabilize it, try it in your rifle to see how it works.

The SMK is a competition bullet. Although a hollow point design, it is a result of the manufacturing process and doesn't aid in expansion. For use on varmits, they would work, but don't expect the same explosive results with some of the light weight bullets that pretty much vaporive on target contact!

The SMK is a best reserved for accuracy over anything else. Terminal effects were not really a design protocol in the this load. Great BC's and accuracy was the research and design into this style of bullet.
 
Mildot,

This is an excellent load.
I shoot a handload that closely duplicates the FGMM ammunition. The only exception is that mine is moving a little bit faster.
With this load out of my Remington LTR I have no problem getting out to 900m. It's not an ideal cartridge or load at this distance, but it does admirably well.

As others have said, the matchking is a match bullet and expansion on game is questionable. I was shooting gophers with this load yesterday. About 1/3 of the gophers hit completely exploded like you would expect from a true varmit bullet. The other 2/3 showed no more sign of being hit then those shot earlier with the .22LR
 
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So to summarize, the 20" barrel is good enough for what I want.
I don't want to go to a 22" or 26" if I can get the same results with the 20"
The rifle is being designed around a folding stock so I'd like the "compact" design to be maintained.
How does a flashider affect bullet performance if any?
Any idea where I can print a card for "scope dope" for this load?
What would be a good "hunting" load in the Federal line? 55gr or 77gr
 
mildot said:
So to summarize, the 20" barrel is good enough for what I want.
I don't want to go to a 22" or 26" if I can get the same results with the 20"
The rifle is being designed around a folding stock so I'd like the "compact" design to be maintained.
How does a flashider affect bullet performance if any?
Any idea where I can print a card for "scope dope" for this load?
What would be a good "hunting" load in the Federal line? 55gr or 77gr
Click to expand...

a 26" barrel will give you more velocity than the 20" barrel. if it's just a Bench gun and you're not going to be carring it much go with the 26". if you are going to be hauling it around the 20" would be the way to go. it's just a matter of preferece.
 
manitou210 said:
federal make a 77gr match bullet that will work well in your gun
Click to expand...
+2 on the 77gn federal match, these will shoot very well in your gun, better wind characteristics and much more terminal energy than the 55gn bullets. I shoot these in my 1:9 twist rifle and they are great.

These characteristics are why the US military has come out with the Mk 262 Ball ammo for special operations

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mk_262
 
You might want to try the 60g Vmax. I have a 1:8 Tikka and the lightest bullet I've been able to get shoot consistently well (.4-.5 MOA) is the 60g Vmax. Especially if you're going after 'yotes at 300-600m, I'd want a bullet that is designed as a hunting bullet. Personally, if I'm going after 'yotes that far away, I use my .260.

Muzzle brakes will likely have some effect on accuracy. I switched from a standard A2 hider on my AR to a Vortex. Group size doubled (.6 MOA to 1.2 MOA) with no other changes. Switched to a PWS FSC, which is a combination brake/hider, and the rifle started shooting again.
 
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