Sierras 169 grain MatchKing

[akinswi]

Anyone tried Sierras 169gr SMKs in an M1? I didn’t even know Sierra had a 169 SMKS until I was on there website looking at projectiles.

I do have there most updated reloading app on my iphone and I could not find that bullet listed in there load data

I also find it interesting that you can find closeout prices on the older 168 smks like you can get 500 for $184.00 It was the one 30 cal bullet seemed to be instock all the time during the current shortage

 

[Rimfire5]

From what I can determine, it is a redesigned 168 gr SMK with a longer boat tail and an adjusted tangent ogive to give it a higher BC (0.527).
Sierra says that they also closed the hollow point.
The 169 SMK bullets are hard to find in stock so I haven't tried them yet.
I'm not even sure if anyone has put them in factory ammo yet.

Sierra says the new 169 SMK was specifically designed for long distance shooters to maintain supersonic velocities at 1,000 yards.

Sierra also says they will continue to manufacture the 168 SMKs which I have found to be a very accurate bullet in all my .308 rifles.

My M1s seem to prefer the 150 grain SMKs with N140 loaded around 2,400 fps muzzle velocity.
Loading the same bullet and powder up to 2,600 fps increases average group size by about 30%.
But I have tried 168 grain SMKs also loaded down and they averaged about 20% larger group size than the better 150 gr N140 average.

Loading for those velocities, I don't see any reason to shoot 169 SMKs designed for long distance shooting in my old M1s. I intend to try them in my .308 bolt actions, however.
One of my M1s is a matching numbers H&R that has a CMP Collector's Grade certificate.
Even with adjustable gas blocks, the old M1 OP rods aren't worth risking damage at the velocities needed to shoot at 1,000 yards, IMO. But I am a geezer that treats my M1s as pieces of history.
For high velocity shooting for long distance, I use my modern bolt action .308s or my 6.5mm CMs with high power scopes.

 

[akinswi]

@Rimfire5,

It took me forever and alot of shooting to figure the sweet spot with the 168s for MY M1. I do perfer to shoot the 150s just more economical and less recoil, I have great results with sierras 2115 projectile in my M1

 

[Shadow9mm]

My understanding was that they changed the angle on the boat tail due to the 178g having stability issues in the 700-800yd range to keep them stable out to and over 1000.

Not sure about how they would run in the M1, but they sure are pretty

 

[akinswi]

At first glance those look longer like 155 palma , and the tips look more uniformed as well compared to the 168s I have. The 168s I have some real jagged tips.

Were you able to find any reloading data? My sierra app has no info on that projectile? I wonder what the COL would be for a 30-06. I know sierra lists there 168s for a standard COL at 3.320 I would use those for a semi auto so I cant seat them x amount of the lands.

 

[Unclenick]

The tips are apparently trimmed and pointed, saving the shooter those long-range steps. The boattail is changed from 13° on the 168 to 9° like the 175 has. I'll be interested to see if they wind up replacing the 175 in military 7.62 sniper ammo.

 

[akinswi]

Nick , I was wondering the same thing. I also wonder if they came out with this to compete more with berger. I think in some certain circles they Have lost ground over the last few years to them

I bet this would be a great projectile for 7.5x55 swiss aswell