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OK, USA
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Posted: 12/8/2014 1:37:23 AM EDT
Just curious... it seems most recommend 175gr since it stays supersonic so it has performance at farther distances. So... what advantages does 168gr offer over 175gr?
I'm acquiring a .308 precision rifle soon so will probably be stocking up on one type of manufacturer/bullet soon to learn with and am leaning towards one of the Federal Gold Medal Match .308 offerings. Oh... and what's a fair price for them nowadays? Couple years ago I remember them being about $20 a box... but I only see them available for $30 a box now. Is that the average price now? 
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Posted: 12/8/2014 12:51:37 PM EDT
[#1]
no, and reload......
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FL, USA
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Posted: 12/8/2014 9:37:07 PM EDT
[#2]
The 168gr SMK is an inherently accurate bullet, which is why Federal has loaded it up in their 'cop/match' ammo. The problem with the 168gr SMKs is that they're a bit dirtier than the 175gr SMKs and if you're regularly shooting out to 1000yds and beyond, stick with the cleaner, heavier bullets with better wind deflection.
For say...800 yards and in, stick with the 168gr SMKs if there's a big difference in price. Start to reload. Chris |
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UT, USA
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Posted: 12/8/2014 9:48:18 PM EDT
[#3]
Long read but impressive story with the Sierra 168 Match King and why it is THE 300-Meter .308 bullet:
"Free Rifle Shooting in the Cold War Years: Sputnik, the Great Pyramid of Giza and the Sierra 168" by Germán A. Salazar http://riflemansjournal.blogspot.com/2009/11/history-free-rifle-shooting-in-cold-war.html |
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Posted: 12/14/2014 11:13:33 PM EDT
[#4]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By ChrisGarrett:
The 168gr SMK is an inherently accurate bullet, which is why Federal has loaded it up in their 'cop/match' ammo. The problem with the 168gr SMKs is that they're a bit dirtier than the 175gr SMKs and if you're regularly shooting out to 1000yds and beyond, stick with the cleaner, heavier bullets with better wind deflection. For say...800 yards and in, stick with the 168gr SMKs if there's a big difference in price. Start to reload. Chris Can you explain how it is "dirtier"? All my rifles are more accurate at short range with 168 than 175 SMKs. |
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Posted: 12/14/2014 11:32:47 PM EDT
[#5]
Have seen several guns that shot better with 168's. It has always been the go to accuracy load. Most people dont shoot far enough away for the 175's to be necessary.
When I talked to the FN factory rep he said the 168gr FGMM was the best performing load in their SPR rifles. |
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FL, USA
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Posted: 12/15/2014 1:26:49 PM EDT
[#6]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Lennyo3034:
Can you explain how it is "dirtier"? All my rifles are more accurate at short range with 168 than 175 SMKs. "Dirtier" = lower B.C. The 168gr SMK is a truly great bullet, but like everything else, it has its limitations. Chris |
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WA, USA
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Posted: 12/17/2014 12:08:29 AM EDT
[Last Edit: 458winmag]
[#7]
What distance are you considering, farther?
Hell a 155 Palma has a higher BC. Than the other two But the 175 seem's to be the Jack of All............ |
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Posted: 12/17/2014 12:58:44 AM EDT
[#8]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By 458winmag:
What distance are you considering, farther? Hell a 155 Palma has a higher BC. Than the other two But the 175 seem's to be the Jack of All............ Sierra says the 155 beats the 168 but not the 175 |
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WA, USA
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Posted: 12/17/2014 9:59:34 PM EDT
[#9]
Yup, by .001
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TX, USA
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Posted: 12/22/2014 12:06:08 AM EDT
[#10]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By ALASKANFIRE:
Sierra says the 155 beats the 168 but not the 175 Which 155? Scenar?, Berger Full Bore ?, Berger Hybrid ?, SMK 2156 versus SMK 2155 ? 155 A-Max ? |
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Posted: 12/22/2014 1:16:45 AM EDT
[#11]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By MitchAlsup:
Which 155? Scenar?, Berger Full Bore ?, Berger Hybrid ?, SMK 2156 versus SMK 2155 ? 155 A-Max ? Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By MitchAlsup:
Originally Posted By ALASKANFIRE:
Sierra says the 155 beats the 168 but not the 175 Which 155? Scenar?, Berger Full Bore ?, Berger Hybrid ?, SMK 2156 versus SMK 2155 ? 155 A-Max ? Sierra Palma vs Sierra Matchking 168 and 175 |
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Posted: 12/22/2014 12:22:38 PM EDT
[#12]
Bryan Litz (in Applied Abllistics for Long Range Shooting) says it is not the BC of the 168 versus the 175that is the issue, it is that the 168 has known trans-sonic instability issues, and it goes trans-sonic around 800 yards for a lot of guns/loadings. The 175 comes out the other side of the trans-sonic range in a more predictable manner, hence its longer range accuracy over the 168. If you're not going down below 1340fps or so you should not have issues running the 168s.
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Posted: 12/23/2014 6:19:04 PM EDT
[#13]
If your shooting under, say 800 yards or especially 500 their isn't any advantage. The 168's are a bit less expensive so if distance is such a factor then the advantage is price.
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Posted: 12/24/2014 3:36:43 PM EDT
[#14]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Sinister:
Long read but impressive story with the Sierra 168 Match King and why it is THE 300-Meter .308 bullet: "Free Rifle Shooting in the Cold War Years: Sputnik, the Great Pyramid of Giza and the Sierra 168" by Germán A. Salazar http://riflemansjournal.blogspot.com/2009/11/history-free-rifle-shooting-in-cold-war.html Thank you for posting the link |
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Posted: 12/24/2014 3:47:01 PM EDT
[#15]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By RickFinsta:
Bryan Litz (in Applied Abllistics for Long Range Shooting) says it is not the BC of the 168 versus the 175that is the issue, it is that the 168 has known trans-sonic instability issues, and it goes trans-sonic around 800 yards for a lot of guns/loadings. The 175 comes out the other side of the trans-sonic range in a more predictable manner, hence its longer range accuracy over the 168. If you're not going down below 1340fps or so you should not have issues running the 168s. In my range experience the "known trans sonic instability issues" is an understatement. The 168's get down right scary for the folks in the pits when they bounce around anywhere and everywhere! |
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Posted: 1/17/2015 8:27:57 PM EDT
[#16]
The fed gm 308m 168gr has a tighter accuracy requirement than the gmm2 load. And the m2 load is stupid accurate. It's an inherently accurate bullet at closer distances. Further out, the 175 shines.
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NC, USA
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Posted: 1/19/2015 1:19:49 PM EDT
[#17]
If my max range with the 308 is 600 yard, steal and paper targets. Would the 155 gr be a better choice than 168 gr.
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Posted: 1/19/2015 1:23:26 PM EDT
[#18]
At that range I would just pick whichever one shot better in your gun.
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