Anyone loaded .308W 168gr in SMK and Hornady match and compared them?

**Bang** · May 27th, 2017, 04:26 PM

Bought a box of 100 of Hornady 168 Match at a gun show, recently loaded 25 of Hornady and 25 of Sierra Match King. All were .015" off the lands at the ogive datum, all were propelled by IMR 4064 with identical loads. I had my Savage 10 FCP-K zeroed at 200 yards, giving POI of 1.9" high at 100 with the SMKs. Switching to the Hornady loads, POI changed to dead on at 100.

Although SMKs are described (specs) as 1.215" long, that seldom is true. Most are below, some as far down as 2.004. I couldn't find Hornady-published length of their 168 Match bullet. They measure longer, some as high as 1.221. For this reason, datum on ogive is used on each to determine jump to lands via depth gauge.
From what I found, the bearing surface of the Hornady is .010" longer than the SMK. I neglected to ascertain where that places the bottom of the bullet compared to SMK seating depth. This is where a chronograph would be very informative.

A POI change of almost 2 inches at 100 yards illustrates the importance of paying close attention to all details. Oh yeah, all rounds were based on brand-new Starline brass.

Has anyone else done any comparative work with these or other 168 match types (.308W)?

**CMP703006** · May 27th, 2017, 09:20 PM

I haven't done any reloading comparison but my brother's M1A Super Match routinely shoots the Hornady ammo better than Federal with the SMK.

**Bang** · May 27th, 2017, 11:03 PM

Thanks^^. The day I compared them, the SMK did a best group of 5 measuring .354" x .128". The Hornady did a group of 4 measuring .682 x .387, with a fifth opening the .387 to .968. My Savage has a six right 1:10. Is your brother's rifle 1:10 or 1:11?

**Pete D.** · May 28th, 2017, 08:15 AM

Interesting. The Sierras shot higher at the same sight setting. They also gave you a group about 1/6 the size of the Hornadys.(0.045 sq.in. vs 0.264 sq.in.) Which would you rather have? You can allow for elevation by adjusting the sight but group size and consistent POI are a different factor.
Maybe, though, the Hornadys would benefit from some load tweaking and then produce equally good groups

Pete
PS - 0.264 sq.in. is for the four shot group.

**CMP703006** · May 28th, 2017, 10:53 AM

His is a 1-10, it also really likes the 178gr ELD-X in the precision hunter ammo. I have to ask what range are you planning on shooting at? If you are planning to shoot past 600 I would recommend going to either the 155gr or the 175gr bullets as both hold their velocity better past that than the 168's.

I will admit I have only loaded Sierra bullets in a friends rifle as I primarily shoot Hornady and Lehigh Defense.

**Bang** · May 28th, 2017, 11:59 AM

PS - 0.264 sq.in. is for the four shot group.

Well, sure, so far I would stick with the SMK since I have had good results with them...I was just wondering what others have found shooting Hornadys and if they had better results (for example) with a different propellant.

Just to establish perspective....I only shoot 100 yards. I'd love to shoot 200 yards (club's max) but I can't do the walking. One of these days I'd like to get out to the longer ranges I've read about, hopefully as a family outing with my sons.

**CMP703006** · May 28th, 2017, 09:11 PM

I have been shooting the Hornady ELD series as my go to bullet in all my long range rifles. I have been able to get the 212gr ELD-X under 0.3 MOA in my .300 Win Mag and the 200gr ELD-X around 0.75 in my .300 H&H. I've also had good luck with the SST and Interlock bullets as well in several different rifles. Most of my rifles shoot Hornady bullets as well as I require them to so I usually don't test any other brands.

I've only had two rifles that shoot better with another bullet, the first is my AR-15 which shoots the Berger 77gr OTM better than the Hornady 75gr BTHP. The second is my Model 70 in 30-06, that shoots the 145gr Lehigh Defense Controlled Chaos under half an inch. The Controlled Chaos also work well on deer, I've got two with them with it in the last two years.

Also Bang would you happen to be a member of Falls or LRGC?

**Bang** · May 28th, 2017, 09:28 PM

LRGC :-)

**CMP703006** · May 28th, 2017, 10:27 PM

I am also a member there, if you see somebody on the long range with a Mausingfield or at the trap range with a Maple Browning Maxus it is most likely me since I haven't heard of anyone else with either of those.

**Pete D.** · May 30th, 2017, 09:17 AM

If you are planning to shoot past 600 I would recommend going to either the 155gr or the 175gr bullets

My ballistic computer tells me that velocity loss is directly related to bullet weight....The 155s (Hornady ELD@2900fps) is the slowest at 1000 yards. The 168 ELD(2750) and the 178 ELD (2700) are less than 20 fps apart at 1000 yds. The 178s end up at 1333fps.