What bullet for service rifle?

[mtlucas0311]

Hi guys, I'm down to bullets and powder. I picked up a bunch of LC brass and need to start loading. I'm new to handloading and Service rifle (aside from a few matches in the Marines) so what type of bullets should I start with? I can find the SMK's in the 69, 77, and 80 grain variety; but I'm only shooting out to 200 then we use reduced targets. What's the heaviest bullet that will still fit in a 20 round magazine? I don't want to order up 500 or a thousand and have to single load. Any other bullets that shoot well in a WOP upper? I opted for the Douglas/Shillen CM barrel instead of stainless. Thanks, Mike

 

[Jim Watson]

I am not a service rifle shooter but from listening to them:

The 77 grain is the heaviest magazine length SMK.

A lot of people will use them for the 200 and 300 yard stages and then use 80 grain bullets seated over magazine length for single loading at 600 yard slowfire. You might not think this worth the trouble on a reduced range, but see above.

 

[mtlucas0311]

Thanks Jim, I've been looking around and searching and found out that John posts some of his loading data on the WOP website. It looks like he shoots 69's and 80's.

 

[Howard Roark]

I do shoot SR (Distinguished/High Master). 69s will be OK for 200 yard reduced matches. I strongly suggest 77s though. When you go to the big show the 77s are much better in the wind at 300 yards. The powders to look for are N-140, Reloader 15, and Varget.

Try the Hornady 75s. and Nosler.

 

[mtlucas0311]

Thanks Howard, it seems half the challenge is finding them.

 

[Sunray]

An AR? What rifling twist? A fast twist will work well with any heavy match bullet, but you have to work up the load for your rifle.

 

[rskent]

I do too, but I am nether Distinguished or a High Master.
Around here the standards are:

52 SMK for 100 yard reduced match.
69 or 77 SMK for 200 yard reduced match.
77 SMK for 300 yard reduced match.
In the full matches 77 SMK for 200 and 300, and 80 SMK for 600.
Most people use Reloader 15 with Varget being second.

I think the best thing to do is to shoot the best that you can
find. If you can’t get sierras, get something similar.
Practice and experience are more important at 200 than whether
you have the perfect bullet.
In my humble opinion the most important thing is to go out and
have some fun.
Steve

 

[taliv]

i shoot 69 at the short lines and 80 at 600.

i'd switch to 77s but i don't want to take the time to work up a load. if i were starting new today, i'd do 77 and 80 respectively

 

[mtlucas0311]

I found Nosler 69 grain match bullets for $139 per thousand so I bought them. It's pretty tough to find any SMK's at all, much less 77's. I figure I'll try the 69's and see how it goes since I'll only be shooting the 200 reduced for now. Plus, I haven't shot service rifle in years so I doubt that there would be any advantage in buying the high dollar bullets until I shake the cob webs loose. It's a 1:7 CM Douglas or Shilen, I can't remember which off the top of my head. It's a WOP so I'm sure it'll shoot nice.

 

[Jefferson Herb]

I used 69 smk's and 25 gr varget in 1 in 9 bushmaster.ww 748 is ok for rapids.you can use 52's out to 200 w fine results,I used berger 70'svld [no longer avail]at 600 w 25 gr varget.I set my powder measure for the heavy bullet and just changed weight and die adj for seating.

 

[paulo]

75gr Hornady BTHP match. across the course.

 

[Howard B]

Being different, I like 69s close, 73 Bergers at 300 (I think I am the only person on the planet not to have success w/77s), and 80's at 600. Not many use it, but I have had good success with AA2230 and 2230C (a slightly slower surplus version) at short range. The benefit being that ball powders measure so well... When I loaded short range ammo (once I found my loads), I would just set the Jones measure to the click number and commence throwing. I wouldn't even turn the scale on. I would use VV powder for my 600 loads. Yes, I know some say not to mix ball and stick powders between cleanings, but it didn't seem to make a difference to me. And to everyone's suprise was able to make HM with that combo. Good luck with your quest.