77gr smk 11.5” barrel

**ubet** · 08-25-20, 19:16

I’m getting 2280 with my hand loaded 77gr smk. Is that going to be enough velocity and energy for expansion to 200yds?

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**ColtSeavers** · 08-25-20, 19:20

Originally Posted by TFB

According to Black Hills, the 77 gr TMK round will reliably fragments at 1900 fps velocity.

https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/...n-5-56mm-ammo/

**vicious_cb** · 08-25-20, 19:30

Originally Posted by ColtSeavers

https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/...n-5-56mm-ammo/

Thats TMK not SMK. SMKs need ~2300-2200 fps for fragmentation. OP I would choose another bullet that isnt as velocity dependent for an SBR.

**ColtSeavers** · 08-25-20, 19:39

Originally Posted by vicious_cb

Thats TMK not SMK. SMKs need ~2300-2200 fps for fragmentation. OP I would choose another bullet that isnt as velocity dependent for an SBR.

My bad.

**vicious_cb** · 08-25-20, 19:41

Originally Posted by ColtSeavers

My bad.

I mean its a good recommendation of what the OP should be using

**pointblank4445** · 08-25-20, 21:06

SMK isn't great for terminal performance anyways...nor was it ever intended to be.

Barnes TSX 70gr has an expansion threshold of 1800 fps that might be worth looking at...

**SBRSarge** · 08-26-20, 00:55

Any of the Barnes TSX bullets could work with their 1800-1900 fps expansion thresholds. Just remember that the 50gr “Optimized” bullet loaded by Black Hills is not a standard TSX. It’s proprietary to Black Hills and needs more speed for expansion, 2300fps sticks in my mind. It is also not available as a component.

Some factory loads that I’ve tested in my 10.5“ Noveske give the following velocities. I am sure you could hand load and get equal or greater speeds, especially with an extra inch of pipe. And I think all of these would give you expansion to 200 yds.

Winchester Ranger 65gr Bonded. 2599 fps (An FBI load)
Hornady 75gr TAP SBR. 2206 fps
Federal LE223T3 62gr. 2757 fps (An FBI load)
Barnes 5.56 62gr TSX. 2638 fps
Black Hills 5.56 50 TSX optimized 2815 fps
Black Hills MK262 77gr OTM 2430 fps

**ubet** · 08-26-20, 01:00

Originally Posted by SBRSarge

Any of the Barnes TSX bullets could work with their 1800-1900 fps expansion thresholds. Just remember that the 50gr “Optimized” bullet loaded by Black Hills is not a standard TSX. It’s proprietary to Black Hills and needs more speed for expansion, 2300fps sticks in my mind. It is also not available as a component.

Some factory loads that I’ve tested in my 10.5“ Noveske give the following velocities. I am sure you could hand load and get equal or greater speeds, especially with an extra inch of pipe. And I think all of these would give you expansion to 200 yds.

Winchester Ranger 65gr Bonded. 2599 fps (An FBI load)
Hornady 75gr TAP SBR. 2206 fps
Federal LE223T3 62gr. 2757 fps (An FBI load)
Barnes 5.56 62gr TSX. 2638 fps
Black Hills 5.56 50 TSX optimized 2815 fps
Black Hills MK262 77gr OTM 2430 fps

The mk262 is the 77gr smk I’m using.
I have two mags of 62tsx

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**ColtSeavers** · 08-26-20, 01:08

Federal Fusion 62gr. Expansion threshold seems to be 1700 absolute minimum.

Will easily get you to 200 yards in a 10.5" barrel factory loaded, so you'll be good past that with an 11.5" barrel.