Berger 30 cal 175 gr Tactical OTM

[ovenpaa]

The interesting parts here is they are designed for a significant bullet jump so should be less sensitive to build length and are supposed to be able to hold stability as they go transonic and even subsonic. The BC is quite respactable as is the weight so it could make a handy 1000 yard round.

Berger say:

30 cal 175 gr Tactical OTM (Open Tip Match) part number 30105.

These bullets are made specifically for military, law enforcement and tactical competition shooters. They are most commonly shot by these groups out of the 308 Winchester case.

This bullet was designed specifically to be loaded to a COAL (cartridge overall length) that will allow for magazine feeding. Due to the limiting nature of SAAMI Spec COAL, this bullet does not have as high a BC as our other bullets in this class. They were also designed to be stable through transonic and at subsonic velocities.
G1 BC = .510
G7 BC = .259

For a 1 in 13 Twist or Faster

Transonic Stability Verified in 1:11.25 Twist

[telshe49]

l have just purchased 100 Sierra 175gr HPBT from the CLU game fair at Blenhiem [Norman Clark] just to experiment with anybody got a favourite load for this bullet. l have a 1-12 AI AE MK111 and would also like to know how it would fare at 900/1000 yds, our club has a practice on Stickledown in the middle of August and would like to try it out then.

Terry.

[ovenpaa]

The rifle itself will be fine to 1000 yards and more without a problem. I shoot mostly Moly 155 Scenar's in mine and my son is currently shooting 190 SMK's to 1200 with his.

The 175 SMK is the one bullet I have never shot.

[20series]

When I had my original 26inch Barreled 1/12 Remmy set up I used to shoot 175's with 46 gns of Varget, they worked OK out to 1000 just!

Alan

[Dangermouse]

I have roughly 150 X 175gn SMK's, which I now have no plans for. Should anyone want to try two dozen or so, I will bring them along to the McQueen shoot for dispersal,

I have shot them to good effect in the HPS ammunition but find that they are not up to the task of the current F Class league standards.

Should we see more of those high power comps that John is running, I can see a use for these in magazine fed rifles, But for now I will just watch and see,


DM

[Laurie]

and would also like to know how it would fare at 900/1000 yds,

(Re 175gn SMK at .308 Win MVs)

Not very well is the answer - only marginally supersonic at 1,000 from a 25.5" barrel rifle and you risk having a mix of super and subsonic bullets at the target. This is an 800yd bullet and its BC is mediocre compared to many recent introductions. It's a very good performer at 200-600yd, although its low BC will have an effect at the top end of that range in difficult wind conditions.

G7 BCs (source: Applied Ballistics for Long Range Shooting 2nd edition)

Berger 168 VLD .......... 0.242
Berger 168 Hybrid ....... 0.266
Berger 175 BTLR ......... 0.264
Berger 185 BTLR ......... 0.282
Berger 185 Hybrid ....... 0.291
Sierra 168 MK ............. 0.218 (not suitable for 1,000, usually becomes unstable)
Sierra 175 MK ............. 0.243
Sierra 180 MK ............. 0.247 (not suitable for 1,000, usually becomes unstable)
Sierra 190 MK ............. 0.268 (very stable at extreme ranges including going subsonic)
Lapua 167 Scenar ....... 0.216
Hornady 168 A-Max ..... 0.230

The Hybrids are in the process of being introduced and not yet available here. In the meantime, the best bullet going for an AI at extreme ranges is the Berger 185gn BTLR - if you can (a) find them in stock and (b) afford them - not a cheap bullet. Its lighter 175gn Sibling is very popular amongst US sling shooters in matches that allow any bullet weight to be used.

Also don't forget the better 155s - the new Sierra MK #2156, Lapua Scenar and Berger 155.5gn. Any of these will perform better at 1,000 than the 175 SMK if pushed to a decent MV. (You need a minimum of 2,800, much better still 2,850 fps.) The new Australian HBC from Fox Firearms has performed very well for me, is a ballistic match to the American / Finnish trio and sells for £280 / 1,000.

The 190gn Sierra MK is a tried and tested long-range performer and is cheaper than the heavy Bergers.

Both 185 Berger and 190 SMK perform well over Viht N550.

[tackb]

A load I used to use in my trg21 was 50g of H380 under a 175 smk it was hot but in lapua cases was fine in my rifle , it was a proven performer to 1000 yds I have a remy based Riflecraft tmr3 now with a 20" tube and use the 168 Amax with 46g varget and just accept it won't perform at 1000yds which is why I got a 300rum. Usual rules , work up to the loads etc

[ovenpaa]

A load I used to use in my trg21 was 50g of H380 under a 175 smk it was hot but in lapua cases was fine in my rifle , it was a proven performer to 1000 yds I have a remy based Riflecraft tmr3 now with a 20" tube and use the 168 Amax with 46g varget and just accept it won't perform at 1000yds which is why I got a 300rum. Usual rules , work up to the loads etc

How is the barrel doing on your 300RUM?

[tackb]

A load I used to use in my trg21 was 50g of H380 under a 175 smk it was hot but in lapua cases was fine in my rifle , it was a proven performer to 1000 yds I have a remy based Riflecraft tmr3 now with a 20" tube and use the 168 Amax with 46g varget and just accept it won't perform at 1000yds which is why I got a 300rum. Usual rules , work up to the loads etc

How is the barrel doing on your 300RUM?

currently at 346 rds and still shiney new...... (and you know my loads are hot hot hot....)

[ovenpaa]

currently at 346 rds and still shiney new...... (and you know my loads are hot hot hot....)

As ever the master of understatement.

I had a feeling you were going to put a lot more through it, I will only use my SAUM for competitions now to keep the barrel keen for as long as possible.