77 sierra matchkings groups at 100 yards?

[andym79]

Hi, do 77 gn smks group well as close as 100 yards, as I wondered if with a 1:8 twist, if the bullet would go to sleep quickly enough to do well at 100 yards?

I know the 77smks are meant to be excellent at longer distances, I ask because I know the benchrest shooters do best with slow twist barrels and small bullets for tight groups at 100 and 200 yards!

Does anyone shoot sub moa with 77 sierra matchkings at 100 yards, I am looking at a load of about 24 grains of Varget.

 

[Bfh_auto]

Yes. The heavy bullet and boat trail aren't necessary for close range.
I shoot the 77SMK, but am getting decent accuracy with bulk 55 sp.
Don't judge 55's by the accuracy you get from factory ammo.

 

[Nature Boy]

All other variables being equal, a group shot at 100 won’t get tighter at longer distances. In other words, it’s as good as it going to be.

I hesitate to get into the “bed time for bullets” argument. Ballistic luminaries such as Brian Litz have declared it a myth and I accept their position as it’s based on physics and experience

I’ve not shot the 77g SMKs so not sure what Sierra says their recommended twist rate is for that bullet.

The only way for you to know is buy a box and do some load work. I do all my load development at 100 yards and have no trouble finding loads at that distances that translates well at longer ranges

 

[FL-NC]

With factory 77 grain Black Hills (MK 262) I get consistent 1 MOA groups from my Larue stealth carbine (1:8) as well as my Mossberg MVP (1:9).

 

[wanderinwalker]

I don't see why the 77gr SMK wouldn't shoot sub-MOA at 100 yards. The very first 5 shot group I fired from my last 1-7" twist, 20" match barrel was 1-MOA at 200 yards. The ammo was 77gr Nosler HPBTs over either RL15 or Varget. This was fired sling-supported prone and using post and peep aperture sights. Naturally, your results may vary.

Like I said a couple of threads ago, get some bullets, get out to the range and see what your rifle does with them. Trust me, you'll learn a lot, a lot more quickly that way.

Part of the reason I used to favor 52gr match bullets for 100 yard shooting is that they're very accurate and cheaper than theb heavier slugs. Same reason I didn't use the long 80gr match bullets at 300 yard slow fire very often. The bullets would shoot pretty little groups at that range, but they're more expensive and required more careful reloading techniques.

FYI, your listed charge should be considered an absolute max load of Varget with the 77gr bullets. I think it's actually over the max listed on Hodgdon's page.

 

[Walkalong]

Longer distances magnify little things, which means if you work up loads at 100 yards you better look at the little things. When I shot 100 & 200 yard Benchrest I always worked things up/checked things at 200 yards.

Not that it can't be done at 100, it can. Just realize that 5/8 is a lot bigger than 1/2, and 1/2 is a lot bigger than 3/8. Etc. And sometimes good loads at 100 don't seem to pan out at longer ranges. Probably because we didn't pay attention to the little things.

While a believer in bullets "going to sleep", it happens way before 100 yards. Also don't want to debate it.

 

[GooseGestapo]

I’m shooting 80Gr Sierra MatchKings from a 1/8” 20” bbl on my RRA NM AR15.
For the first 200-300rds, accuracy was unremarkable. Around the 250 shot count, groups improved significantly.

I’m using H4895 for 2,750fps. I’m getting 1/2” 5-shot groups at 100yds. Accuracy holds all the way to 600yds. I use the rifle for shooting service rifle (EIC) at CMP Talladega.
Rifle does fine. It’s the sloppy fitted gun-nut holding the stock limiting accuracy!

Added;
I use 75gr Hornady at 200 and 300yds. They’re almost as accurate as Sierra’s but 1/2 as expensive if bought in bulk. (RMR and T.J. Conevera sell them for about $155/1,000).

 

[Bfh_auto]

I’m shooting 80Gr Sierra MatchKings from a 1/8” 20” bbl on my RRA NM AR15.
For the first 200-300rds, accuracy was unremarkable. Around the 250 shot count, groups improved significantly.

I’m using H4895 for 2,750fps. I’m getting 1/2” 5-shot groups at 100yds. Accuracy holds all the way to 600yds. I use the rifle for shooting service rifle (EIC) at CMP Talladega.
Rifle does fine. It’s the sloppy fitted gun-nut holding the stock limiting accuracy!

Added;
I use 75gr Hornady at 200 and 300yds. They’re almost as accurate as Sierra’s but 1/2 as expensive if bought in bulk. (RMR and T.J. Conevera sell them for about $155/1,000).

My gun doesn't like heavier Hornady bullets or their 53 vmax. I felt like I was beating my head against the wall until I tried the 77smk. After building confidence in the gun, I tried the 55 sp-sx and the 52 hpbt. Both are good enough for crows inside 200 yards.

 

[Nature Boy]

Longer distances magnify little things, which means if you work up loads at 100 yards you better look at the little things. When I shot 100 & 200 yard Benchrest I always worked things up/checked things at 200 yards

Couldn't agree more. Everything I work up at 100 gets checked at 200 sometimes and 500 always. I've had loads that have looked great at 100 but disappointing at 500. Ruling out it being a bad day for the shooter means I missed a little thing in load development (changed lots on components, misread an accuracy node or the one I picked shot well during the conditions it was developed in but didn't like a change in humidity or temp or some other condition)

Such are the vagaries of this hobby. If it was easy we'd all get bored with it.