| Posted: Sun Sep 20th, 2009 09:43 PM |
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Todd MI
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This is my first post and I am rookie reloader so your talking to a real greenhorn.
I want to start loading .223 for 2 AR rifles. 1-Ruger SR556 16.25" barrel 2-Colt H-Bar 24" barrel both have 1:9 twist. Both have had a steady diet of 55gr wolf and are ball bat reliable. Ruger is used for general 50yds or less blasting and the Colt is used for 100 to 300 yard bench rest target shooting. I have TAC powder, 55gr midway fmj, cci 400 & BR4 primers, rem brass + some nickel plated all unfired. Im I on the right track or should I be looking to add something different?
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| Posted: Sat Sep 26th, 2009 12:24 AM |
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2nd Post |
Sport45
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Welcome to The Handloader's Bench!
The 55gr FMJ will work fine for your 50yd plinkers but you can do much better for the target gun. I suggest you look at HPBT bullets in the 62-77gr range for that.
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Proud owner of a Ruger Redhawk, S&W 36, S&W 19-5, Sig 226, Colt 1991a1, Springfield 1911a1, SA XD45ACP, Dan Wesson 15-2, Ruger 22/45, Iver Johnson Target Sealed 8, HRA M1, WOA AR, Arisaka T99, and a few others.
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| Posted: Sat Sep 26th, 2009 03:38 AM |
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Dragon88
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Use the 55 gr for plinking with your Ruger, and get some match 69gr or 75gr FMJBTs for your Colt. Sierra Matchkings are a staple for match loads. Hornady also makes match bullets which are nearly as good and a little cheaper. Your other components look good. If you want to experiment with different powders down the road, Varget is highly regarded and a very versatile powder.
Enjoy reloading, it's a blast! 
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| Posted: Sat Sep 26th, 2009 04:02 AM |
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miestro_jerry
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In my Colt AR 15 HBAR NM, I use a heavier bullet in it. The seirra 69gr #1380 is my choice for quality shooting, My load is 23.7 grains of IMR 4895. I swage out any former military primer pockets and chekc the case AOL.
Then it is load away, after that it is beware Mr Coyote.
Jerry
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| Posted: Sat Sep 26th, 2009 04:12 AM |
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Dragon88
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Jerry, those 69gr matchkings do a good job on the coyotes? I know the 30cal matchkings are pretty effective, but I've never seen results from the smaller calibers.
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| Posted: Sat Sep 26th, 2009 04:55 AM |
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miestro_jerry
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I have used my AR 15 for Coyote hunter on several occassions in my fields. Those 69 grain bullets really do the job. I do keep my range under 110 to 120 yards. Longer than than I use the M1A (M21 styled)
The reason I use "black Rifles" is that a second or third shoot isn't that hard to do. The best thing is to have an understand of the rifle and that of the coyote. The bullets I like best are ones that mushroom and frag out while passing thru, does max damage and generally drops them.
Jerry
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| Posted: Sat Sep 26th, 2009 01:47 PM |
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ghrit
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Jerry, what is the twist in your AR? Both of mine are 1:9 and do NOT like 69 grain slugs. Happy with lighter, tho'.
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| Posted: Sat Sep 26th, 2009 02:01 PM |
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miestro_jerry
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Mine is 1 in 7
Jerry
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| Posted: Sat Sep 26th, 2009 09:31 PM |
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ghrit
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miestro_jerry wrote: Mine is 1 in 7
Jerry
No wonder it likes heavier bullets. Looking back, I should have got 1:7 also so that the 69 and up pills would stabilize. At 1:9, 62 grains are marginal with both my rifles (16 inchers). So I'd tell Todd to play with a couple loads like he's planning, and try the heavy weights for the experiment, but not to expect much.
Then again, I ain't exactly expert.
____________________
Remote locations are cheap insurance.
30-06 - billions served
There are two kinds of ships: Submarines and targets
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| Posted: Sat Sep 26th, 2009 11:11 PM |
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Dragon88
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A fast twist has some downsides as well as benefits. My 1:8 20" barrel does not shoot 55 gr well, so I cannot use cheap milsurp ammo in this rifle. It's fine with me, the Army pays for me to shoot my carbine on the flat range so I don't bother with it for recreational shooting. But for the guy who takes the AR to the range once a month with a box of Wal-Mart special intending to blast some silhouettes, it might not be the best option.
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| Posted: Sat Sep 26th, 2009 11:24 PM |
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miestro_jerry
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I have to load my own to make my AR work to it's best performance.
Jerry
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No Goats, No Glory
NRA Benefactor Member
Ohio Rifle and Pistol Association Member
The Cast Bullet Association
Bethesda Farmers and Sportsmen Club
ODNR Certified and Licensed Hunter
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| Posted: Sun Sep 27th, 2009 01:21 AM |
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Todd MI
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THANX For the feedback guys!
I have every intention of playing around with 60gr-69gr bullets just wanted to get my feet wet on the bulk 55gr.
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| Posted: Tue Oct 27th, 2009 03:15 AM |
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TnTom
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Todd MI wrote: THANX For the feedback guys!
I have every intention of playing around with 60gr-69gr bullets just wanted to get my feet wet on the bulk 55gr.
1:8 - 1:9 is fast enough for 69 - 77 gr but in my experience they are right on the edge depending on the distance you hope to have the accuracy you look for.
I shoot a 1:7 and have no issues through 80 gr, and shoot 600 MR.
If your going to reach out there 300yds plus regularly take off the 1:9 barrel and go with 1:7 or find an upper floated in 1:7 and do some trading.
Tom
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BAT1
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My Bushy Carbine 1:9 loves 69 gr HPBT's. I use 25-25.5 gr of Varget, BLC-[2] or RE15. Lake city 62 gr [factory] does excellent also.
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TnTom
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BAT1 wrote: My Bushy Carbine 1:9 loves 69 gr HPBT's. I use 25-25.5 gr of Varget, BLC-[2] or RE15. Lake city 62 gr [factory] does excellent also. I think a 69gr is great in the 1:9 usually but depending on how far out your going to reach its really advantageous to go up in bullet weight and faster in twist. I'm thinking consistently shooting 600yd MR and the 69s get blown a little too much for me.
Tom
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MontanaShooter
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i have 3 Ar 15s, i shoot shoot 55gr and 62 gr bullets in them they are 1 in 9 twist and they handle both well. My 20 inch AR has a chrome moly barrel and it shoots extremely accurate with either. Ive never tried anything heavier and wouldnt dare go lighter. besides i can get pulled 62 gr bullets cheap :) I used to use soft points till they became hard to find in bulk. Last edited on Tue Nov 3rd, 2009 05:09 AM by
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TnTom
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MontanaShooter wrote: i have 3 Ar 15s, i shoot shoot 55gr and 62 gr bullets in them they are 1 in 9 twist and they handle both well. My 20 inch AR has a chrome moly barrel and it shoots extremely accurate with either. Ive never tried anything heavier and wouldnt dare go lighter. besides i can get pulled 62 gr bullets cheap :) I used to use soft points till they became hard to find in bulk.
May i ask at what range (distance) are you basing your decisions (extremely accurate) on?
Tom
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MontanaShooter
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I can knock a potato at 300 yards easily that good enough? Ive never put it on paper past 100 yards but i know what it does to prairie dogs upto 500 + yards on a calm day on a range finder verified shooting range (large rocks every hundred yards) that happens to be in a prairie dog town. Not sayin i dont miss a few at 500 yard distance, but its mighty small target in a 3 X 9 scope and the misses land close enough to make them look for a fly swatter. If i wanna shoot above 500 yards i use 30 06s and 45 cal buffalo guns generally. My ARs are my "plinkers" :) Last edited on Tue Nov 3rd, 2009 06:07 AM by
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TnTom
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MontanaShooter wrote: I can knock a potato at 300 yards easily that good enough? Ive never put it on paper past 100 yards but i know what it does to prairie dogs upto 500 + yards on a calm day on a range finder verified shooting range (large rocks every hundred yards) that happens to be in a prairie dog town. Not sayin i dont miss a few at 500 yard distance, but its mighty small target in a 3 X 9 scope and the misses land close enough to make them look for a fly swatter.
Yep that is pretty close. Idaho?
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MontanaShooter
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I relize that the 223 can go a good distance with accuracy with the right combination. However for plinkin and not spending alot of money on fancy scopes, and keeping loading components economical in price 500-600 yards is plenty for one as well as impressive, esp when considering how close your wanting to put the lead. If one was using long range loads and had a 600 dollar scope and could do no better it wouldnt be very good. It is common sense and common knowledge that a heavier bullet will carry further more accurately, but doesnt mean a lighter weight bullets wont perform well in practical situations and regular use. For example 150 grain bullets shoot good enough for most things and are easy to find good deals on for shooting 30 calibers, but a 165 or 168 will out perform at long distance. duh. Last edited on Tue Nov 3rd, 2009 12:59 PM by
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