which sierra match king?

[kennedy]

getting ready to reload for my .308 rem 700 for accuarcy, which grain bullet? I have been using 150gr factory ammo to get some casings and practice.
what does every one use. 150gr, 155gr 168gr, 175gr? In by lee reloading book the 155gr with 43gr of 4895(which I am going to use) has the best velocity, but what about the best accuracy, or does it matter?

 

[Slamfire]

The 168 Match bullet is the accuracy "standard" by which you compare other 308 bullets. If your rifle will not shoot a 168 SMK, 40.5-41.5 grs IMR 4895 LC case, WLR, Fed primer into a sub moa knot, you have a rifle problem. Or a shooter problem.

That being said, all the other bullets are wonderfully accurate. I have not used the Palma 155 grain bullet, it was developed for 1000 yard shooting in Palma rifles, which have non standard barrel twists. It may shoot great in a standard 1:10, but I don't know.

The 150's are a lighter recoil, the 175's will stay super sonic at 1000 yards. Something neither a 150 or a 168 will do in a normally loaded 308 round.

I shoot 168's out to 300 yards, sometimes shoot them at 600 yards, but basically use the 175 or more often, the 190 at 600 yards. Just a little better wind bucking ability. Hard to say which is the more accurate at 600 yards as the wind changes so rapidly at the range I shoot at, wind doping becomes the most important factor. And luck.

 

[Jim Watson]

If to 1000 yards, the 175 or maybe even the 190; a 168 SMK won't do it and a 155 Palma bullet has to be at screaming velocity from a heavy load in a long barrel.

Anything less, go for accuracy under calm conditions... then study the wind.

 

[kennedy]

I am shooting 100yds with a 26 in heavy barrel

 

[USSR]

I was teamed up with this guy who was shooting 168SMK's in an F Class match one time last year. On occasion, the guys in the pits would not lower his target and mark it. ***? Turned out, his bullets were going subsonic and the guys in the pits didn't even know he'd shot. Friends don't let friends shoot 168SMK's at 1k.

Don

 

[Zak Smith]

Many long-range 308 shooters have gone to the 155gr Lapua Scenar. It has better ballistics than the 175SMK (both wind and drop) but it isn't as tolerant as the SMKs are.

 

[Hutch]

At 100 yards, I'd pick the 168. It shoots to about the same POA as Nosler 165 ballistic tips in my 700VS. It's an honest 1/2 MOA average for 5 shots for me, ahead of H380. Others swear by Varget or 4895. Take some care on case prep, and be careful with bullet seating depth.

 

[Jim Watson]

You can try a lot of things at 100 yards. The score benchrest guys shoot 135 grain flatbase bullets; although usually out of smaller cases than .308.
I had excellent accuracy at 100 yards from the 130 grain Speer hollowpoint and at one time there was some use of 125 grain Sierras to reduce recoil in the 200 yard bullseye event.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

In my 30-06 I use a 168gr MatchKing for 300 yards and under. Over 300 yards I use the 175gr MatchKing. (not that I can shoot over 300 yards very well YET)

 

[ShunZu]

The 168 Match bullet is the accuracy "standard" by which you compare other 308 bullets.

+1

And I am a Sierra Matchking bigot. Boxes and boxes of other brands on my reloading bench, collecting dust after many thousands of rounds in "competition" against each other. Hornady finished a close 2nd.

 

[Clark]

I spent years trying to get accuracy with 168 gr Match Kings in FALs.

I should have tried better rifles

In 1903 Turkish Mausers with good 8mm bores, the 200 gr Match Kings work very well.

 

[Bad Flynch]

Generally speaking, the competition shooters use the following:

Matches limited to 600 yards, use the 168 grain.

Matches up to 1000 yards, use the 175 grain, or maybe the 180.

Sometimes matches are limited to 200 and 300 meters, and that is where the 168 can shine--with low level loads. They can be real shoulder savers.

The 155 grain bullet is made for the very special Palma barrels: slow twist, extra long (30-32"), and very tight bores and chambers. It probably would shoot OK, but don't bet on it in a regular chamber and barrel.

 

[kennedy]

have a box of 150gr matchkings on the way from cabelas.

 

[Hunter0924]

The Sierra Matchking is the gold standard for precision reloading. I am also a MK fanatic with the Hornady A-Max a close second.
For .308 I favor the 168gr MK and IMR 4895.

 

[ShunZu]

The Sierra Matchking is the gold standard for precision reloading. I am also a MK fanatic with the Hornady A-Max a close second.

Hunter, you been in my gun safe and using my reloading bench lately?
Great minds must think on the same track.

 

[Jim Watson]

When my stock of SMKs runs out, I have a big box of 155 gr Lapua Scenars waiting. Worth a look.

 

[Hunter0924]

ShunZu seems we do think alike, I changed my signature line a few months ago, before it was "Where are you now John Wayne, America needs you?".
I believe IMR 4895 is the powder for .308.

 

[GunTech]

It depends on you twist. I have a Hart 1:12 and it won;t shoot 190s well at 1K. I've had good luck with 155gn Pamas, and 168gn SMK at 600 but 155gn Lapua Scenars rock all the way to 1K from my 20 inch bbl.