First rifle reloads

[Marauder]

I had the day off the other day, I spent the day at the range to test my first rifle reloads..
Rifle: AR15 20" 1/9 twist barrel.
Bullet: Sierra 52gr HPBT
Case: Rem
Primer: CCI SR
Powder: Varget
Charge: 25.1, 25.3, 25.6, 26, 26.3
I fired all shots from a bench at 100 yards, did not have a rifle rest. So I used a bi-pod and the butt in my shoulder.

 

[4570inMD]

I'd be very pleased with that group charged at 26.0g.

Nice shooting.

4570inMD

 

[BUFF7MM]

26 gr. Nice little group.

 

[Melnic]

cool, look forward to seeing more.

 

[sxs]

26 gr. Nice little group.

+1 for the 26 grain group!

I'm not an AR guy, but normally, I'd tell someone shooting that rate of twist to try 55 grains - 62 grain projectiles. 52 gr projectiles are more often good from 1 in 10 to 1 in 12". (My rem 700 V LOVES 52 gr Sierra HPs - It's 1 in 12"). But man oh, man, it will be really hard to improve on that 26 gr group.

Kind'a interesting how the group seemed to open up from the 25.3 to the 25.6 then tighten again at 26.0. If I were you I'd do a couple 5 shot groups at 26 to be sure it's holding that tight (or at least a couple more 3 shot groups). If so, that looks like a winner and I wouldn't play with it more, unless it would be with .1 gr increments clustering around the 26.0 gr load. What did the 26.3 gr loads do?

 

[Marauder]

+1 for the 26 grain group!

Kind'a interesting how the group seemed to open up from the 25.3 to the 25.6 then tighten again at 26.0. If I were you I'd do a couple 5 shot groups at 26 to be sure it's holding that tight (or at least a couple more 3 shot groups). If so, that looks like a winner and I wouldn't play with it more, unless it would be with .1 gr increments clustering around the 26.0 gr load. What did the 26.3 gr loads do?

The opening and tightening may be me, shooting off a bi-pod with stock in my shoulder. I shot a few strings of the 26.0gr they were the best. Then I shot a few strings at 200 yards, grouping were 2"... I'll try some more at 26.0gr, I'm satisfied with this load..

 

[BUFF7MM]

+1 for the 26 grain group!

I'm not an AR guy, but normally, I'd tell someone shooting that rate of twist to try 55 grains - 62 grain projectiles. 52 gr projectiles are more often good from 1 in 10 to 1 in 12". (My rem 700 V LOVES 52 gr Sierra HPs - It's 1 in 12"). But man oh, man, it will be really hard to improve on that 26 gr group.

Kind'a interesting how the group seemed to open up from the 25.3 to the 25.6 then tighten again at 26.0. If I were you I'd do a couple 5 shot groups at 26 to be sure it's holding that tight (or at least a couple more 3 shot groups). If so, that looks like a winner and I wouldn't play with it more, unless it would be with .1 gr increments clustering around the 26.0 gr load. What did the 26.3 gr loads do?

The opening and tightening may be me, shooting off a bi-pod with stock in my shoulder. I shot a few strings of the 26.0gr they were the best. Then I shot a few strings at 200 yards, grouping were 2"... I'll try some more at 26.0gr, I'm satisfied with
this load..

If I remember correctly my 6.8 SPC did the same thing when I loaded 110 gr. Hornady, it opened up and then tightened up again.

 

[shaddydan]

Nice shooting OP! I haven't found a good load for my AR yet....still working. I have irons and a tough trigger so I wonder how much is me.

 

[Mooseman]

It looks like 26 grains is your winner.

 

[Marauder]

If I remember correctly my 6.8 SPC did the same thing when I loaded 110 gr. Hornady, it opened up and then tightened up again.

I guess that is why we go up in charge weights to find the sweet spot..

 

[Marauder]

Nice shooting OP! I haven't found a good load for my AR yet....still working. I have irons and a tough trigger so I wonder how much is me.

I still have another powder to test. Good luck finding "The Load"...

 

[byf43]

OP:

There appears to be something terribly 'wrong' with that rifle. Possibly the bore is larger than .223/.224, that's why your groups are so large.
(Yeah, that's it. The hole in the barrel is too big for the boolits!!)


I tell ya what........ I'll take that rifle off your hands, for say....... $50.00 cash, then you won't have to worry 'bout trying to make it shoot small groups.

 

[Pinecone]

Look into OCW method of working up a load.

The tightest group may not be the best place to be.

http://optimalchargeweight.embarqspace.com/

 

[Marauder]

OP:

There appears to be something terribly 'wrong' with that rifle. Possibly the bore is larger than .223/.224, that's why your groups are so large.
(Yeah, that's it. The hole in the barrel is too big for the boolits!!)


I tell ya what........ I'll take that rifle off your hands, for say....... $50.00 cash, then you won't have to worry 'bout trying to make it shoot small groups.

I think I'll keep it and save you $50...

 

[Marauder]

Look into OCW method of working up a load.

The tightest group may not be the best place to be.

http://optimalchargeweight.embarqspace.com/

Thanks for the link, I'll take a look at it. I'm no way finished with this load.

 

[BUFF7MM]

I still have another powder to test. Good luck finding "The Load"...

I've been using 8208XBR for my 223/55 gr. with good results.

 

[blackseven]

One thing I've noticed when reloading for my AR (16 inch 1-9 twist) is that the 55gr Midway Dogtown plinkers over AR-COMP can shoot just as accurately at 100 yards for much less money than the Hornady/Sierra target/ballistic tip varmint bullets. http://www.midwayusa.com/product/655304

And of course the regular 55gr Hornady FMJ's w/Cannelure shoot very nicely when loaded over varget.

 

[Marauder]

One thing I've noticed when reloading for my AR (16 inch 1-9 twist) is that the 55gr Midway Dogtown plinkers over AR-COMP can shoot just as accurately at 100 yards for much less money than the Hornady/Sierra target/ballistic tip varmint bullets. http://www.midwayusa.com/product/655304

And of course the regular 55gr Hornady FMJ's w/Cannelure shoot very nicely when loaded over varget.

I have a 1000 55gr Hornady FMJ-BT w/Cannelure. Those are next to test.

 

[Marauder]

I've been using 8208XBR for my 223/55 gr. with good results.

8208XBR, who makes that powder? Not familiar with that number.

 

[shaddydan]

I've been using 8208XBR for my 223/55 gr. with good results.

I tried some with H335 and they weren't as tight as M193....just a little frustrating! I have a 1 in 7 twist barrel, using 55 grain BT pills.