I was looking at the pulls available but I can't get out beyond 300 yds, so outside of the usual shooting fun, is it somewhat of a waste at shorter distances.

I haven't run the numbers but I'd bet you are already benefitting from the higher BC using them at 300 yards.

In some ways, it is a waste when used at 100 yards.  You can get as good or better accuracy, lower recoil and lower cost loads for 100 yard shooting.

If they are really cheap why not, but yes IMO yes its a waste at 300 because 150-155 will shoot just fine at 300 yards. They'll go faster so even if the BC is lower the speed will make up for it.
300 yards is not far, .223 with a decent bullet is a lazer to 300.

I got out my Sierra ballistics software and ran a couple of cases to compare the lighter (155 gr) and heavier (175 gr) bullets.  

As you might guess, the 300 yard results are entirely dependent upon the velocities you pick.  

I used 2900 fps for the 155 gr bullet.  This gave 6.7" drift at 300 yards.  I used 2700 fps for the 175 gr bullet.  This gave 6.6" drift at 300 yards.  I'd say that was close enough.  

The thing is, if you can get the 175 inexpensively, that may be the deciding factor for shooting at 300.



When shooting at 100 yards, I am satisfied to use the 147 gr FMJ.  These are fairly inexpensive.  They shoot on call and, IIRC, it will hold the ten ring in my bolt rifle.  That's good enough for practice.

I'm not sure how it would be a waste. What are the cost alternatives? Pulls must be fairly cheap. Nosler Custom Competitions are a better deal than SMKs if you are thinking about future purchasing.

I run 175s, 185s, 210s and my 230s will be here today for .308, my range is only 200yards now. Of course I want to be ready if I find another 1000yard range, so my future intentions may be different.



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Rifles shoot certain bullets better than others, unless you try them you'll never know. I don't buy pulled bullets because I don't know why they got pulled. Was the load too hot or did they suck for accuracy?

168 grain SMK's were specifically designed for 300 meter competition and they shoot very well from most rifles out to 600 yards. 175, 180 and 190 SMK's work better at these and longer ranges and may or may not shoot tighter groups from your guns. You have to try some loads to find out. I suggest 42.0 grains of IMR-4064 and Winchester commercial cases for all three of these bullets as a starting and ending point for load development.

You can fine tune it some, but 42.0 grains of IMR-4064 is close to a universally accurate load as one could hope for. I consider it a maximum load for 190 SMK's in a bolt action. Varget, RE-15, N140 and N150 all work well too. IMR-4064 must be hand weighed because it's so coarsely grained. RE-15 and N140 can be thrown from a quality measure without too much deviation.

Nosler .308 bulk pack (1000 bullet boxes) are currently the most economical way to get quality bullets at a reasonable price. Buy the 168's at around $235.00 or 23.50 per box and they're a steal. I believe this is the best choice because they are a known quality product and not "seconds". It's hard to justify saving money on seconds or pulled bullets if they end up inferior to tier one and a price point that doesn't make up for that difference.

I bought a couple thousand 55gr fmjs one time. They were the worst garbage I have ever seen not even worth loading for 25yard bumpfiring. Most were egg shaped many were bent. I was glad to pay return shipping just to get rid of them. Never again.

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My Rem700 SPS Tac loves 175 SMK. We shoot them out to 1000yrds regularly. And my LMT MWSE loves 168gr SMK.

Try a .204 Ruger some time.  

So I end up putting 44gr of RL15 behind the 150's and shoot 4 at just under 2" at 300--out of a SCAR.  I wasn't even going to try as my 100yd groups were less than stellar.  Given the feedback here, I'm not going 175 any time soon.  Thanks