180 better than 168 for Garand?

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Fatelvis

Fatelvis

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I've been shooting 168SMKs in my 30-06 Garands for years, and loved them. To improve the BC I was thinking of trying 175 or 180SMKs, as I hear they work well also. Does anyone prefer 175 or 180s over 168s as far as accuracy is concerned? If so, what velocity do you load them to? Thanks-
 
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For years the M72 match ammo was a 173gr-174 FMJBT @ 2640fps, using 47.2gr of IMR4895. Designed to work in the Garand.

The SMK's are a better designed bullet, and generally provides better scores over the old match round.

Those actually using the bullets in question should be able to give you data that you can use.



NCsmitty
 
Bought 1500 M72/M118 bullets from the CMP in 98'. At 174-175gr. very similar to the commercial 175gr. offerings. The M118LR ammo uses the 175 grain SMK's BTHP bullet. Haven't seen a difference in accuracy at the shorter 200-300yd ranges in my accurized Tanker Garand in 7.62mm. The main difference is the retained velocity to be supersonic at 1000yds. for sniping.
 
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For anything at or blow 600 yards you won't see a difference between the 168gr and 175gr bullets. If you are going to shoot out to 900-1000 yards you will probably do better with the 175gr bullets but not at the shorter distances.
 
I've never been able to get the 180gr bullets to shoot well in the .308 Garand or M1A.

My best accuracy load for the .308 Garand is 41.5gr IMR 4895 in a LC case with a Winchester primer.
 
Also have not seen a difference in my CMP M1 .30cal. Service grades out to 300yds. But if it was a choice, I'd go for the 175 SMK every time.
 
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