I'm not new to reloading nor lazy .I would like to read if anyone else has developed pet loads for their semi auto 223 . Mine is a Bushmaster 20" target model.1X9 twist. I have had fair results with BlC-2 25.2 -25.8 grains pushing a 55. grain spitzer . It really does well with 65,68, 69, and 75 grain projetiles with differnet powders 3031 4895 4064 of varying loads . I know some only consider serious work can be done in a bolt action. I've got a few Garands that might just dispel that old tale .

I'm currently shooting 24 gr of AA2230 and a 69 gr Sierra Matchking. Shooting these in a Bushmaster and a Colt.I can get groups that are around 1". My AR's don't shoot 55gr bullets very well. These guns are stock, right out of the box, I did work the triggers over. My bullet seating die isn't very consistant, if I measure the bullet runout and shoot the best loads that is when I can get about 1" groups. I can neck size for my AR and they function fine and they do shoot better. I don't know how many times I can reload them without full length sizing.

Dr. K,
Try some LC mil brass, Sierra 69MK's and Win. SRP, 25 grains of Varget and seat to function in mag and believe you will be well pleased. Somewhat warm but delivers excellent accuracy out to the 3-400 yard mark. After that going to need to go to heavier bullets and your twist is a bit out of spec there. Need 8 or even 7 to work with the 80 gr MK's. Personally I keep the load the same and it will serve you very well indeed out to the 600 yard mark and beyond.
Another excellent powder is RE 15. Both work very well.
Load at your own risk, works in mine, but may show pressure warnings in yours. Blowing primers should tell you to back off!!

Thanks for the posts . I shall pick up some AA2230 and Varget and give it a shot so to speak . I'm fortunate to have an excellent assortment of once fired brass from my own weapon . Even have some LC 65 89 98 on hand .My best group so far is .322 X 4 with the fifth shot pushing out too .785 at 100 yds , with an Aetec 2.8 X 10 X 44 . That was with 25.5 Grs. of BLC-2 with a 55 HPBT Sierra .I also like the Hornady brand .I'm going to work the trigger it's excessive on lb. not much creep though . So a 1:9 twist limits to about 70 grain projectiles sound about right ?.

Have any of you ever heard of or know where to purchase " Brawand " bullets ?. I hope I spelled it correctly . I've only heard of them , never have seen one or know where to purchase them .

My Rock River 24" 1 in 8 twist likes 25 gr w-748 with the 69 gr Sierras the best a close 2nd would be 25.5 gr Varget.What it realy likes is 60 gr Serria and 25.7 of Varget.Both get best moa at 200 yards.

26.5grs of varget with a 60gr v-max shoots 1/2" groups out of my bushmaster and puts coyotes down hard.

Gary

I like Varget in mine, but slightly less than the above posters.

I find 24.5 grains to work great. I use it behind everything from 52 gr bullets up to the 80's.

I've been shooting the 75gr. A-Maxes and well they will suprise you! but out of a 1-8 twist barrel using RL 15 powder, I didn't think a AR would shoot as well as they do but it made me sell off my bolt rifle. I was a great fan of Varget but it seems everyone else is also but I have been getting better results from the RL 15 powder and it works well in my 308 and 17 Remington. Velocity I could not tell you but with 23gr. RL 15 75gr. A-Max with a COL of 2.5 it will do 1/2" with me so I'm sure it could be better with a good rest and trigger but these have to shot single style. 26gr. RL 15 behind some 50gr. V-Max is another load that makes the p-dog population shrink and it does good on paper, it will put a magazine into 1" but hey these loads work fine in my rifle so back off and work up! Oh one other thing I found out is that the harder I tried to push the 75gr. the worse the groups got? Later,

Kirk

A semi or auto will never place shots near the accuracy of a Bolt action . I have followed some pretty good advise , from this forum as well as renowned expert shooters . Load for accuracy with the best components and shoot singles. In other words don't use the magazine or ramping the projectile will cause scaring of the projectile.It also allows for extended projectile seating with out feeding problems . Then again what did we buy semi autos for . Seriously , I load for as accurate a bullet mine will digest , then what the hey fill the mag and use it for what it was intened to be used for .

quote:

Originally posted by Dr.K:
A semi or auto will never place shots near the accuracy of a Bolt action .

Pretty bold, and all-encompassing, statement...

A good AR-15 WILL hang with a good bolt action, and a top level AR-15 will OUTSHOOT most bolt actions. Yeah, I know, benchrest shooters, etc, etc.

But as a general statement, I'd have to disagree.

I have a scoped AR-15 that will put 53 gr MatchKings into one hole more often than not. I also have 223 bolt guns that would be hard pressed to EVER shoot a one hole group.

I shall have to disagree . If this were true persons such as David Tubbs would shoot Semi's in match competion !. Wait , yes !. I know in some competions he does in fact shoot semi's but not at extreme ranges EI. 800 -1500 Yds. . Single shot bolt actions are still king . Tolerances are tighter , ramping of a round is less dramatic than in a Semi Auto which can leed to projectile scarring or being knocked off of centering in the neck . I personally enjoy the best of both . When hunting I prefer a weapon that matches the Game . Dangerous Game , give me Velocity bullet weight then accuracy in that order !.When shooting antelope deer or such , give me accuracy velocity bullet weight in that order. When shooting varmits give me accurcacy accuracy velocity in that order , bullet weight is incidental at that point !. Non living Targets at say 100 - 400 hundered meters give me accuracy velocity and shove the bullet weight or use a semi auto for less recoil. Any one who has shot a .30 and up Magnum knows just how much fun recoil can be with 225 - 700 grain projectiles !. Their not fun ! I simply load for the best accuracy and velocity in all of my weapons , but take no pleasure in abuse from the magnums !!!!. I have a Commercial Mauser in 7 MM Rem Mag. 1963 - 64 vintage that I bought brand new. Even today I will stack it up against almost anything for 400 yard and under accuracy be it bench , off shoulder or ?. Out of the box with stock ammo it would shot 1" groups with a 140 -150 grain projectile. After 35 years of working loads for it , it will put 1/2 " groups at 100 yds. with 160 168 grain boat tails most of the day !. I once shot a 225 lb. Mule deer at 465 yds. using a 175 grain Sierra loaded with of all things H 870. It was going up hill in a small canyon almost quartered to me , until I pulled the trigger at that moment it straightened out!. The bullet went into the back of the lung and broke his shoulder .It never moved it dropped in it's own tracks. I've been on several hunts with very good hunters who know and study game , trails , habitat , tendencies , . Each and every one of them has always checked their weapons upon arrival for damages , scope misalignment zero Etc. One in particular shot an Elk 3 times twice on the run before it came down . 180 grain projetiles is what he used in an 30 06. In his defence two of the shots were with in 1 3/4" of each other on entry just back of the shoulder elbow joint . I would have to say that was dam good shooting for a follow up shot on the run !!!!. Yet three bullets were required to bring him down . One never knows !.I shall leave you with a famous quote from Teddy .

The only interesting weapon is an accurate weapon !. Long live the Rough Riders !.

I should like to add that I simply try to make my weapons interesting . Sorry I got side tracked on hunting stories I shall save those for around the camp fire in the future.