300 g. SMK Terminal Performance

bgouin

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 13, 2006
Messages
71
I am awaiting a new barrel ( 28" 1 in 10 twist Lilja) for my 340 Weatherby. This is not the most idea launch platform for heavy, long range bullets, but it is what I have. My muzzle velocity will be low; probably 2600-2700 fps. What is the minimum upset velocity for a 300 g. SMK in animal tissue? A better question may be -what does this bullet do upon impact with animals? Does it mushroom, fragment vilolently, or something else? My other option will be a 250 g Nosler Accubond. I can probably get the Accubond velocity up to 2900+ fps. I tried to contact Berger, via email, in regards to their forthcoming .338 options, but no response. Does anyone have data on the 300 SMK in anmals? Other than it stones them like lightning.
 
300 SMK, Bull at 526 yards in 2008. The 2009 Bull at 1130 yards fell in his tracks. Sorry no pics of the 09 bull or bullet.

Jeff

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Jeff,
Thanks for the info. What was your muzzle velocity? Since I will be slower than most out of the barrel I am curious what my minimum terminal velocity should be. I can calculate your terminal velocity from the 1130 yard shot if I know the conditions. By the way the 526 yard results are very encouraging.

Bill-Hamilton MT.
 
There are mixed reviews on the 300 SMK. From the reports I've read, they tend to work well on large game at good velocities or maybe shoulder shots to encourage expansion. Deformation isn't always a perfect mushroom.

If you read Kirby's opening post in this thread, you'll see that he was "less than impressed with the 300 SMK's performance on lighter game"

http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f17/raptor-lrss-progress-report-53399/

Overall, folks seem to like them, but there are some newer bullets on the horizon that may make the SMK's obsolete, or at least way down the totem pole.

-Mark
 
I don't think thr 300 gr SMK will ever be obsolete, no matter what other bullets come out.
 
Jeff,
Thanks for the info. What was your muzzle velocity? Since I will be slower than most out of the barrel I am curious what my minimum terminal velocity should be. I can calculate your terminal velocity from the 1130 yard shot if I know the conditions. By the way the 526 yard results are very encouraging.

Bill-Hamilton MT.

Hi Bill, I am now over 2850, but the bullet pictured was at 2750. From my 338 Lapua. The 09 elk was 1130 yards and shot at about 5800 feet, 2850 MV. It was dark when I got to the bull and dressed him. Never recovered the bullet but he literally fell over backwards in his tracks. I took a WT deer at 1137 yards in Kansas probably about 1800 feet of altitude and the bullet passes through with a huge exit. DRT. I am close to 700 rounds through this rifle now, all 300 SMK's and two hunting seasons. Many antelope, deer, two elk and even some yotes, my farthest yote was 880 yards. Even the light rib cage of a yote at 880 yards made for a big exit. I have let others use this rifle to take deer and antelope at distance. Very few go more than a few steps if any.
And I have learned to plan for the exit or loose the entire shoulder.

Below is a video of 2008 in Wy. Two antelope at different distances. Both entrance was shoulder I still can't believe the first one ran like she did. Trust me she was running on pure adrenalin.

Hope this helps.
Jeff

YouTube - Extreme range hunthing with a .338 Lapua



.
 
Found some more pics on antelope. Not pretty but you asked right?

These are the two goats in the vid. 482 and the 820. and another at 713 yds.

The 482 exit .

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The 820 entrance and exit.

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820 exit

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713 yard exit, I was definatly low on this one but just as dead and only ribs ruined. Who eats ribs anyway? :)

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Jeff,
Thanks a whole bunch for the info and video. You and the other experienced shooters are really helping a neophyte like me get into LRH. I was especially excited that your rifle is a Weatherby MV. It looks as if it may have started off as an Accumark. What was the original caliber? I hesitated rechambering mine, which began life as a 340 WM, to a larger head size such as the 338 Lapua or the 338 Norma. I an not to familiar with upsizing a standard magnum action/bolt face/magizine well to one that can accomodate the larger head size cases. It seems as if an original 378 case size action would be an easier conversion, but I asked my gunsmith to check in to the feasibility of such a conversion after watching your video today. I AM HOOKED.

Thanks again,

Bill
 
Bill, I am not positive but I think mine started life as a 340. I don't think Weatherby made a stainless 378 based action. The Mark V will cycle and handle a Lapua 338 very well. And stepping up just about any 9 lug Matk V action is an easy process for a smith. Open the bolt face, install a 378 extractor, lengthen the bolt stop and change the mag box and follower. No biggie! I do like mine, it has done me well.

Jeff
 
Jeff,
Thanks again for the info. I'll pass this on to my gunsmith tomorrow. He is pretty good and will be able to handle this conversion. I think that the 30-378 and 338-378 Accumarks had an SS receiver, but maybe not. I'll keep you posted on how the project goes.

Bill
 
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