does anyone know if there's a commercial load for the 80gr sierras? if so, who makes it?

[img]http://www.ammoman.com/images/223%20XM193A1.jpg[/img]

Ammoman sells it.

thanks, i appreciate it.

Please be careful of the XM223M1 from Ammoman. I have been there/done that.  This is made, as they describe, for "very deep throated" rifles.  It would not seat properly in my DCM, Varminteer or chrome 1:9 as the bullet/load is too long and too wide in the chamber.  It actually stuck to the point that if I extracted an unfired cartridge the bullet would remain stuck in the chamber.  I have informaion on advice from both Federal and Bushmaster that this was designed for a special military competition rifle that is rare in the civilian world.  Enter at your own risk. Be aware it is potentially very dangerous per Bushmaster and Federal.  Bushmaster response was: "Thank you for getting back to me with this information. I was unaware of the non-spec ammunition... It should be noted that the (military) rifle has a tighter SAAMI Spec headspacing but the throat is not the short .223 Spec found in .223 caliber chambering. Headspace is measured from a datum line on the shoulder of the chamber with the matched bolt. The throat or leade still accommodates 5.56mm ammunition."
Federal would only discuss over the phone and would not discuss in email.

My recomendation is to only get a small amount and check it out carefully, especially on seating and extracting without firing before buying a lot.

now that you mention it, i remember hearing about those chambers when i used to shoot service rifle competition. the chambers are basically designed around shooting the 80gr bullet. well, i reckon it might be easier to just reload my own.

does federal make loads for the 77gr sierra as well?

i know that they roll ones with the 69gr.

Don't know about Federal, but Black Hills loads both the 69gr and 77gr SMK's, magazine length.  Good stuff.  [url]www.georgiaprecision.com[/url]

I believe they do, however they aren't listed on the Federal website.

Then again, the 80gr SMK isn't listed there either.

If there loaded for mil contract the OAL should be around 2.50" which is on the long side for most non-match chambered/throated AR bbl's; Colt HBARS and GOV barrels should be able to take um that long....Best thing to do is not buy loaded factory 80 sierra loads and stick to factory mag length 77's if you don't wan't to reload your own ammo ....