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Good .223 Reloads for AR15 (?)

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18 April 2007, 21:41
MikeMichalski
Good .223 Reloads for AR15 (?)
I've worked up a couple of good .223 loads for my 700VL but have just ordered a Rock River Entry Tactical. Any suggestions re loads?


NRA Life Endowment Member
19 April 2007, 00:10
tiggertate
The service rifle load in the front of my Sierra manual (can't remember which issue) has worked fine in mine (.5 MOA). It think it was 26.5 grains of VV N-135 and a Sierra MatchKing. When I get home tonight I'll verify the real deal.


"Experience" is the only class you take where the exam comes before the lesson.
19 April 2007, 04:13
Dr.K
What's the twist rate ?. What are you doing with it ?. Projectile weight 50-55 grain or 55-70 grain ?.

My BushMaster E2S target makes regular 5 shot ragged hole groups .500 - .325 " with 55 grain projectiles backed by 25.5 BlC-2 at 100 Yd.. My best groups come from Sierra , Hornady 65 68 69 grain HPBT or Match .These are still under development so I wouldn't give load data until I've checked everything on these .

Those can more times than not be covered by a dime If I'm lucky .285" is the best I've seen so far !.

Not many bolt guns will do that !.... salute
19 April 2007, 07:51
djpaintles
25.5grs H-335, Sierra 52gr HPBTM. I think it was Les Baer that uses this to test their AR's with since it shoots so well in many different AR-15's though maybe not ones with a 1-7 twist.................DJ


....Remember that this is all supposed to be for fun!..................
20 April 2007, 05:16
Dr.K
What is the twist rate of a Les Baer?. I know my BushMaster is supposed to like heavier bullets .

What I've found is contrary , it all depends on the powder and charge as to what works well .

H335 is a very accurate powder for several calibers as is BLC-2 , H4198 Varget BenchMark on and on !... salute
20 April 2007, 08:39
muzzle
I load about 8 thousand per year of the sierra 77s with 23.7 grains of TAC powder. We recently ran a test with a scoped RRA CMP rifle and at 300 yards from a very good rest were keeping the groups under 2 inches. There was no wind and the temps were in the mid 70's. We have (our rifle team) used this load now for 3 years in all of our rifles out to 600 yards. We have between 8 to 10 rifles that shoot this load. We recently tried out 23 different loads with the conditions listed above with the result that the TAC shot the best with some loads using RL 15 coming in close. We have also had some real good 200 yard loads using WW748 and Hornady 60s. Please start out 10% below and work your way up etc. Oh, all the brass was LC once fired trimmed and deburred inside and out.
20 April 2007, 08:40
muzzle
All groups were 5 shot.
21 April 2007, 00:28
MikeMichalski
Thanks guys. So far I have: 1) 55 gr with 25.5 BLC2, 2) 52 with 25.5 H335, and 3) 77 with 23.7 TAC. Waiting for triggertate's load.

The Rock River Tactical Entry has a 1:9 twist rate.


NRA Life Endowment Member
21 April 2007, 00:30
mutterranch
Do you crimp your bullets in the cases? If so what die do you use?
21 April 2007, 21:24
308Sako
Mike, my Colt is also a 1 in 9 and the link to 500 grains post may be of help to you.

500 Grains Post






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DRSS, double owner-shooter since 1983, O/U .30-06 Browning Continental set.
22 April 2007, 04:10
Dr.K
Mike ditto on 500 grains post . I also replied with loads that I just finished with !... salute salute
22 April 2007, 19:28
layusn1
I've had great luck with Speer 52gr BTHP Match bullets, 27.4 gr W748, CCI Small RIfle Magnum primers. Finally got my dime sized group and no worries about metering.


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23 April 2007, 22:39
MikeMichalski
Thanks for the 500 grain link, I'll check it out. I do crimp all my reloads with the Lee Factory crimp (rifle that is).


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