190 Sierra Matchking in 1:11 twist?

[Bear2000]

Hi,

I've got a Tikka T3 Varmint with a 23 3/4" 1:11 twist barrel. I do pretty well with SMK 168s and 175s, but was wondering if I'd be able to shoot a heavier 190 SMK, and if the 190 would be better for extreme distances than the 175s. Any thoughts on this?

Thanks!

 

[USSR]

Bear2000,

While you don't say, I assume that we are talking .308 Win. There is no reason why you shouldn't be able to stabilize the 190SMK with your 1-11" twist, since most 1-12" twist rifles will stabilize it. Whether or not it will be better than the 175SMK for you depends upon the velocity difference between the two bullets in your rifle. With my 26" FN SPR barrel, I can drive the 190SMK at 2700fps, which makes for a very good LR load.

Don

 

[Ridgerunner665]

It will work just fine...get it up around 2,650 FPS (or faster, if your chamber permits it) and it will work fine.

I have shot 208 grain AMAX's (moly'd...20 inch barrel) out of 1 in 12" twist at 2,500 FPS...they worked fine out to 600 yards and probably would be fine to 1000 or more...but I haven't tried them that far yet.

The 190's will drop more than the 175's...but they will buck the wind much better, which is FAR more important IMO.

 

[Bear2000]

Yes, it is .308 Win.

Thanks - sounds like they might be worth a try. I doubt that it will break 2600 fps though with my somewhat shorter barrel. I'm thinking 43.5 grains of VV N540 might get it close to 2575. We'll see.

 

[Ridgerunner665]

Reloder 15 will do better.

 

[Bear2000]

Or Varget? Varget, H335, RL19 and N540 are all I have on hand.

 

[Ridgerunner665]

Varget is not the best for max velocity out of a 308...it will work and will usually be accurate, it just don't generate the speed.

Of what you have...The N540 would be the best at max or near max loads.

 

[Ridgerunner665]

The RL19 may work...give me a few minutes to run some numbers.

 

[Ridgerunner665]

No...RL 19 is too slow.

 

[Bear2000]

That's what I figured - I use the RL19 for 6.5x55 Swede. Varget should work.

 

[USSR]

Bear2000,

The hands down best powder for the 190SMK in .308 is VV N550. Here is my load for my 26" barrel FN SPR:

Hornady Match brass
190SMK bullet
Fed 210M primer
46.9gr VV N550 powder
2690fps

Don

 

[Bear2000]

Thanks - looks like I'll need to get some more powder (which is always something of a pain given the lack of selection at most shops and the annoyance of paying the HAZMAT). Time to get another group buy at my club together.

 

[tlen]

http://www.shilen.com/calibersAndTwists.html