Alternatives for 220 SMK?

[kR-15]

Has anyone found a similar boat tail projectile to the SMK for sale? I love the 220 gr SMK but wish I could find something a little less expensive for subsonic plinking

[rjacobs]

If you can find the 208g AMAX they are between 8 and 10 bucks less per box and are on par or better accuracy than the 220g SMK. I have been paying 32-35 bucks a box locally when in stock and SMK's are like 44+.

Some people have had success with the 208 MATCH, but I have no experience.

[pvanwagner]

If you can find the 208g AMAX they are between 8 and 10 bucks less per box and are on par or better accuracy than the 220g SMK. I have been paying 32-35 bucks a box locally when in stock and SMK's are like 44+.

I agree. The 208 AMAX are great. Sandy Smallwood down near Newnan, GA has boxes of them. He also had a couple of pounds of H110 left a couple of days ago. He's got all sorts of powders but no LilGun or A1680.

[EAC-71]

I use to load mostly Hornady 225 BTHP but those have been gone a while. I have shot quite a lot of 208 BTHP Hornady match bullets with great sucess. Those are mostly what I am able to find locally. I just picked up a box of 208 A Max that I have yet to load.

[sranch]

I make subsonic rounds all the way down to 155 grains with my carbine length gas system all the time. Now I have a pistol length gas system so I can go down to 147 FMJ which I get for $0.14 a piece.
viewtopic.php?f=141&t=84221&p=789029


I make 168 and 175s from Grafs for just for plinking all the time. Less than $0.28
https://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/pr ... ctId/26343

I also make 200s and 220 which are under $0.38 at okweber.com or Bruno's shooters supply

But if you have the time make 230 grain cast bullets! They are basically free if you can get lead wheel weights or a few cents if you start from raw lead.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/938614 ... ive-radius

Basically if its 30 cal I've made it. Just use Accurate 1680!

[Sharkbite]

Ive played around with Sierra 220 round nose (30-30 bullet). Finding a suitable powder for sub use is darn near impossible in my neck of the woods. It has feed just fine loaded to 2.049 OAL

Chrono at 1035 avg. just cant get it to cycle and lock bolt. When my form4 comes in i might have better luck with the added back pressure from the can.... I hope

[kR-15]

Thanks for all the responses gang!

@sranch-do you powder coat your cast bullets?

[zero1]

Now I have a pistol length gas system so I can go down to 147 FMJ which I get for $0.14 a piece.
viewtopic.php?f=141&t=84221&p=789029

Is that true? I've always heard that 208 gr. is as light as an AR15 will reliably cycle for subs. If even 147 gr. will cycle as subs in ARs, I think that would open the door to a lot more people, me included. Can somebody verify this?

[randyrucker]

I use the 200 gr SMK. It's a little cheaper and works fine.

[sranch]

Now I have a pistol length gas system so I can go down to 147 FMJ which I get for $0.14 a piece.
viewtopic.php?f=141&t=84221&p=789029

Is that true? I've always heard that 208 gr. is as light as an AR15 will reliably cycle for subs. If even 147 gr. will cycle as subs in ARs, I think that would open the door to a lot more people, me included. Can somebody verify this?

every gun is different! get a chronograph and do testing!

what may work in my gun may not in yours.