173 grain 308 question

[lampern]

Is the old 173 grain M118 7.62 nato match/sniper bullet more similar in performance to the 175 grain or 168 grain Sierra Match Kings?

I know the 175 SMK replaced the 173

Thanks

 

[jglenn]

there is your answer

 

[Jester896]

Wasn't the older 173 made for 4 grove barrels? Didn't they change to the 175gr M118 NATO, M118 Match or M118LR when they changed to 6 grove barrels? I don't believe the 173 were as accurate as the 175s.

 

[jglenn]

it was common practice back in the day to pull the 173s and replace them with 168 Sierra regardless of the barrel. this combination became known as "Mexican Match" and was much better than the std m118. also before that time, it was a inside secret to simply set the 173 a touch lower to break the black seal surrounding the bullet. the M118 ammo suffered degradation when the military decided to stop loading it with match primers and cases. the use of the standard M80 case and primer didn't work out well.. Also the 168 Sierra wasn't designed for true long range(>600 yds.) Finally the Marines created the M118LR( using the 175 matchking which the USMC designed) They also went back to match brass and primers. this round would perform to 1000 yds.

the 173 bullet served a long time. good bullet just not a new design

still have a few boxes of m72 -06 match 173s somewhere.

 

[Jester896]

The practice of reseating bullets is still used today to break the seal… even without that black tar.