I’m getting 2280 with my hand loaded 77gr smk. Is that going to be enough velocity and energy for expansion to 200yds?
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Thats TMK not SMK. SMKs need ~2300-2200 fps for fragmentation. OP I would choose another bullet that isnt as velocity dependent for an SBR.
My bad. 
I mean its a good recommendation of what the OP should be using 
SMK isn’t great for terminal performance anyways…nor was it ever intended to be.
Barnes TSX 70gr has an expansion threshold of 1800 fps that might be worth looking at…
Any of the Barnes TSX bullets could work with their 1800-1900 fps expansion thresholds. Just remember that the 50gr “Optimized” bullet loaded by Black Hills is not a standard TSX. It’s proprietary to Black Hills and needs more speed for expansion, 2300fps sticks in my mind. It is also not available as a component.
Some factory loads that I’ve tested in my 10.5“ Noveske give the following velocities. I am sure you could hand load and get equal or greater speeds, especially with an extra inch of pipe. And I think all of these would give you expansion to 200 yds.
Winchester Ranger 65gr Bonded. 2599 fps (An FBI load)
Hornady 75gr TAP SBR. 2206 fps
Federal LE223T3 62gr. 2757 fps (An FBI load)
Barnes 5.56 62gr TSX. 2638 fps
Black Hills 5.56 50 TSX optimized 2815 fps
Black Hills MK262 77gr OTM 2430 fps
The mk262 is the 77gr smk I’m using.
I have two mags of 62tsx
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Federal Fusion 62gr. Expansion threshold seems to be 1700 absolute minimum.
Will easily get you to 200 yards in a 10.5" barrel factory loaded, so you’ll be good past that with an 11.5" barrel.
[video=youtube_share;otou1Fws4cQ]https://youtu.be/otou1Fws4cQ[/video]
Where are you getting this info? The 77 and 75 OTMs are outstanding fraggers.
At close, open air ranges with ample velocity , it’s a happy accident… when it happens.
Sources (just off the top of my head):
Sierra bullets
Snipercraft
Press check Consulting
Gary Roberts
Numerous industry ballistic demo’s
Forge Tactical
FBI sniper school and pretty much every LE sniper school
And a few years of shooting stuff and seeing for myself and drawing my own conclusions
thanks
Yep 77gr SMK doesnt fragment as easily as 77gr noslers and 75gr hornady and should be considered just above FMJs in the fragmenting category.
…and yeah, I get that the military has “stacked bodies” a plenty with Mk262, M118LR and other cartridges with SMK bullets, and there are some boners out there who swear by them for hunting as well.
It’s the same 6.5CM vs. 308 debate…which is better (rhetorical)? Superior external ballistics with reduced terminal ballistics for better shot placement OR lesser external ballistics for the hope of better terminal performance?
…just getting that out there. As many of us have the free choice to choose exactly what we need for the task at hand (at least we were when ammo was more widely available)
Mk262 somehow got this mythical status as during the GWOT when in reality you were either using this or green tip.
Yep they deaded a lot of bad guys.
So did green tip. So did M193 in vietnam but we have so many better options today. Why limit yourself to a mediocre performing round?
This is the exact thinking that pointblank4445 is pointing out.
Called it!
Whats next? “Would you want to be shot by it?” :laugh:
My home defense mags are loaded with 50gr BH TSX.
…but would you?
