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Right gents. I am wanting to develop a second load in my dta covert. I want to try and save the expensive and unobtainium 208 Amax for the 800-1000 shooting. I'm looking at the 190 smk and 200 smk but can't make my mind up which one I should try. The rifle defiantly prefers heavy bullets hence my choosing both of these. My main issue is will I be able to drive the 190's any faster to make them a better choice?! I will be able to drive the 200's at around 2300 -2350 going on prior results.

Danny

The main benefit in using this this pair is that they are very tolerant of transonic speeds and cope well with the drop through the sound barrier into subsonic speeds. Many Match Rifle competitors used the 190 in pre 210-230gn VLD/Hybrid days with good results. Ballistically, neither is a star compared to modern designs, their i7 'form factor' (drag based) values being 1.070 for the 190 and 1.058 for the 200 against the reference bullet's 1.000 and 0.985/0.988 for the Berger 185gn Juggernaut and 210gn LR BT respectively. So, the 190's shape generates nearly 10% more drag in flight than the 'Juggernaut'.

Thanks laurie I appreciate your input. I am ering towards the 190 for 1 reason. That being I have 2 powders on hand that list data for it but only have big game for the 200's. Wildbore list a load for that as well but I feel it's just on the fast side for that bullet. I'm not after silly speeds just enough to keep it supersonic over the distances I'll use this load.

I did an extensive exercise in Jan Feb and Mar 2014 .. 1500 smks
I used large rifle primer Lapua brass and SMK 190

I used TR 140. ..... At 45 gn with CCI BR2

I would propose you start at 43 gn build it up

BUT be aware. Std twist rate of 1:12 in 308 may not stabilise it

It impressed more than a few GB Team members at 1000

Thanks for the info mate. I'm surprised by your results though I managed to get to 44.8 grains as a max and that was with the 175 smk. Twist rate is 1in8" by the way :)

Long chamber 31" barrel helps

Have the long throat! I've had to have the mags modified to be able to get near the lands