IWI Razorcore 77 grain SMK OTM LR MOD-1: An Excellent Alternative to BH MK 262 MOD 1

[Sensei]

For those of you looking for a accurate, affordable, and reliable alternative to Black Hills 77 grain OTM, I strongly suggest that you consider the IWI Razorcore 77 grain SMK OTM LR MOD-1. I picked up some from SGAmmo.com for roughly $0.67 / round which is about 40% less than what you will pay for new civilian Black Hills 77 grain OTM (red box). Moreover, the IWI round has some advantages to the civilian BH load in that the primers and necks are crimped and sealed as per the pictures below:

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These features can be found in true milspec MK 262 MOD 1 but not the civilian equivalent, and is big plus for ammo that you plan to use for duty applications.

I tested some of this ammo through my Noveske SPR build and NF 2.5-10X42 pictured in post # 683 here: https://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?118-Long-Guns-Photo-Gallery/page69

This rifle is zero’ed for BH 77 grain SMK and typically holds about 0.8-1.25 MOA 10-shot groups with a quality factory version of the 77 grain SMK including the Black Hills. The specs for the rifle and glass can be found in post # 46 here: https://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?25728-Practical-accuracy-expectations-from-a-16-quot-gas-gun/page5

Testing conditions were as follows:

Shooting from Caldwell front and rear sandbags
Temperature 77.9
Pressure 30 Hg
Humidity 83% (yuck)
Altitude 1256.6 ft
Wind 1.6 mph, 279 degrees

A 10-shot group was obtained at 100 yards yielding the following results:

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The first two shots were a combination of a clean cold bore and my shitty marksmanship from sandbags, but the ragged hole produced by rounds 3-10 is more representative of the ammo’s capability. Overall, extreme spread of 1.43” / 1.37 MOA is respectable for a 10-shot, factory load. It is also reasonably close to what Molon has produced with the BH 77 grain SMK load.

Average velocity 10 feet from the muzzle for 5 rounds measured with a Competition Electronics Chrono was 2760 +/- 13 fps (extreme spread 35 fps).

Overall, this is excellent milspec 77 grain SMK ammo. I’m stocking up on it.

[SeriousStudent]

Definitely agree. I'm working up my dope book for a new BCM Recce I built, and the IMI Razor ammo is performing really well.

I have yet to try their 69-grain load. Have you had a chance to try it yet?

http://www.sgammo.com/product/223-556mm-ammo/500-round-case-556mm-69-grain-sierra-hpbt-match-smk-otm-razor-core-imi-ammo-s

Thanks for sharing your data. I will look forward to your future tests.

[Gray222]

I've got a bunch I'm gana zero my sr15 with.

77otm is basically my goto when it comes to non-range use.

[Sensei]

Definitely agree. I'm working up my dope book for a new BCM Recce I built, and the IMI Razor ammo is performing really well.

I have yet to try their 69-grain load. Have you had a chance to try it yet?

http://www.sgammo.com/product/223-556mm-ammo/500-round-case-556mm-69-grain-sierra-hpbt-match-smk-otm-razor-core-imi-ammo-s

Thanks for sharing your data. I will look forward to your future tests.

No Sir, the only other IMI loads that I've used are there M855 and M193.

[ldunnmobile]

What's your barrel length?

[Sensei]

What's your barrel length?

18" stainless 1:7 twist

Full specs in post # 46 here: https://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?25728-Practical-accuracy-expectations-from-a-16-quot-gas-gun/page5

[Wyoming Shooter]

Sensei - Thanks for the review. I've placed an order for testing in my SIG MCX. Best, ELN.

[SecondsCount]

Nice report. 1.6 MPH wind...gotta love the calm days :cool:

[Sensei]

Has anyone tried the .308 IWI Razor Core offerings? Their 168 and 175 grain SMK may be an excellent, low cost alternatives to FGMM.

[littlejerry]

I've been happy with the IMI Razorcore as well. It's been a while since I shot groups, but it's been a 1.5 MOA load at 600 for me in the past(10 Rd groups).

For the price I haven't seen anything come close to it. Tried Freedom Munitions, ADI, Hornady steel, Creedmoor Sports. None of them were as consistent at 500 and 600 as the IMI. I've got a box of the 69gr that I haven't had a chance to try out yet.

[60Driver]

Concur with all the above praise. IMI 77gr shoots consistently at 1 MOA out of my LaRue 16" Stealth (1/8 twist). Just had it out to play at 600 KD. Initial Calcs had it at 5.0something MILS drop based on 2640 Muzzle velocity. It actually was running a bit hotter and corrected up to 4 MILS hold over, after which even my feeble skills could boringly ring IDPA center of chest with ease.

I can also add that in terms of field terminal performance it does very well on 200lb plus TX hogs provided good shoot placement.

[leif]

Concur with all the above praise. IMI 77gr shoots consistently at 1 MOA out of my LaRue 16" Stealth (1/8 twist). Just had it out to play at 600 KD. Initial Calcs had it at 5.0something MILS drop based on 2640 Muzzle velocity. It actually was running a bit hotter and corrected up to 4 MILS hold over, after which even my feeble skills could boringly ring IDPA center of chest with ease.

I can also add that in terms of field terminal performance it does very well on 200lb plus TX hogs provided good shoot placement.

FWIW, I had an average MV of 2777 with it out of my BCM 16" 1:8.

[60Driver]

Roger Lief. Factory had it at 2750 in a 18" and honestly I initially did not compensate for 85DEG temps and a little altitude. As an amateur long distance guy at best it was my fault on the initial dope. That said 2777 is SMOKING out of a 16" guessing it was warm temps.

Bottom line it is very solid ammo for the price.

[leif]

Roger Lief. Factory had it at 2750 in a 18" and honestly I initially did not compensate for 85DEG temps and a little altitude. As an amateur long distance guy at best it was my fault on the initial dope. That said 2777 is SMOKING out of a 16" guessing it was warm temps.

Bottom line it is very solid ammo for the price.

It was 75 I believe, sea level, but yes I was surprised with the speed as well. I haven't had a chance to shoot it for groups yet tho, I don't expect .5 but I'm hoping for sub moa. If it is, with that speed, I'll be super excited.

Another great MK262 clone is made by Defender. I only got around 2550 FPS out of my barrel, but had an SD of 15 and a less than one inch group for ten rounds. Cheap too, 60 cents or so a round. Made in North Carolina I think.

[FOG]

Been eying this ammo for quite awhile and this thread pushed me off the fence... 500 round box from SGAMMO delivered today, got home too late to experiment this evening but I hope to this weekend.

Sent from my SM-G900R4 using Tapatalk

[Backspin]

At first I was a bit unimpressed when I looked at the ammo out of the box. Head stamps were mixed and some of the case heads had dings and gouges in them. The target showed good accuracy nonetheless.

I shot about 10 rounds of 5.56 IMI 77 grain side by side with new .223 Black Hills 77 grain. Both loads were right around 1 inch at 100.

Rifle was 16" PWS Mk1 Mod 2 with 4 power Steiner P4XI. Shot off a pack.