I have a new Noveske AR coming with a stainless 16" barrel with a 1:7 twist, and am planning on doing some reloads for it. I have read that 69-80gr is optimal for accuracy, is 55 gr too light? I have also heard of Norinco bulk ammo being hard on barrels so should I avoid shooting it out of this gun and shoot my reloads or better quality factory ammo?
Bullet weight help
- Thread starter mattf87
- Start date
I have a 14.5 Noveske, and have mostly shot 69gr reloads out of it with outstanding results (a .396 four shot group with called flyer).
1:7 twist rates beg for heavier bullets, it's what they're meant for. That being said I've shot el cheapo 55gr through it occasionally with acceptable results, but nowhere near the groupings I get with the heavier rounds.
Enjoy your new rifle, I'm sure you'll love it.
Ps- 69gr bullets with varget makes for a fantastic load recipe.
1:7 twist rates beg for heavier bullets, it's what they're meant for. That being said I've shot el cheapo 55gr through it occasionally with acceptable results, but nowhere near the groupings I get with the heavier rounds.
Enjoy your new rifle, I'm sure you'll love it.
Ps- 69gr bullets with varget makes for a fantastic load recipe.
I have heard from multiple people that norinco ammo is very hard on barrels, IIRC because it is a little bit under sized? I'm not really interested and probably don't think the savings over reloading would add up to a new barrel for it (600$). I have a bunch of IMR4895 I am going to try and get some accurate rounds going.
69 grain loads may be the most versatile match load out there for a variety of twist rates. I get good results with it in 1 in 10" twist rates as well as my 1 in 9" and my 1 in 7" guns. Norinco 55 grain FMJ won't harm your barrel.
I may be out to lunch, but bullet size consistancy seems to be the biggest issue w/ the Norinco. If I recall correctly it was SteveJane who had some pretty interesting keyhole bullet holes from his SAN using Norinco.
Having seen a proper industrial ammunition line running, I'd be a little skeptical that Norinco can match the quality control. What are the chances that they have invested huge dollar amounts in multiple optronic scanners, assembly line scales, strain gauges for pressure testing, destructive testing etc? On the other hand if accuracy, reliability and safety are less of a concern than cost...
At best you will get key holing, failure to fire or poor accuracy, at worst you get squibs and blown up guns. I've seen all of these with Norinco.
Why buy a premium rifle and feed it the cheapest ammo there is?
As for twist, a fast twist allows firing larger bullets. The green hill formula can be used to determine the minimum twist for bullets. Check this out: http://kwk.us/twist.html
I've fired 52-80 grain bullets from a 1 in 7" barrel with good results. In some cases, very small varmint bullets will not survive a 1 in 7" twist, but most common .223 bullets will shoot fine.
At best you will get key holing, failure to fire or poor accuracy, at worst you get squibs and blown up guns. I've seen all of these with Norinco.
Why buy a premium rifle and feed it the cheapest ammo there is?
As for twist, a fast twist allows firing larger bullets. The green hill formula can be used to determine the minimum twist for bullets. Check this out: http://kwk.us/twist.html
I've fired 52-80 grain bullets from a 1 in 7" barrel with good results. In some cases, very small varmint bullets will not survive a 1 in 7" twist, but most common .223 bullets will shoot fine.
Ok a lot of people differ, but yes i find a heavier bullet is better for groups past 100 yards in a 1:7, i'd stay away from cheap stupid ammo in that gun, dont see the point in having such a priceless rifle and shooting bird excrement in it.
But whatever do what you want, make sure you mention that it shot norinco crap when you sell it on ee.
I don't plan on shooting norinco through it, if you read my second post I said I've heard it damaged barrels and it isn't worth it . I basically already planned on shooting reloads, just wanted to know if I could do 55gr because it is alot cheaper avid easier to come by in bulk.
Steve Janes
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Calgary/Ontario
Most 55gr should be fine in a 1in7, any of the American Eagle or PMC, even the Norinco in small amount.
However, high volume shooting of extremely hot loaded milspec 55gr (like the norinco m193), WILL wear on a 1in7 barrel prematurely. The 93' head stamped Norc was averaging 3276fps through a 20" barrel.
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I have the N 14.5" rifle and the best load I have made were the Hornady Match 68gr HPBT, I find it more consistent that the SMK69gr. Both brands were loaded with H335 from 23.5gr-25.5gr @ 2.260", settled with 24.0gr of powder.
I'm not entirely sure why the Hornady was more accurate for my rifle, maybe because it's a tad longer than the SMKs.
For plingking I use Hornady 55gr FMJBT w/Cannelure 25.3gr H335 2.240" and have been very happy with these reloads. G'luck
I'm not entirely sure why the Hornady was more accurate for my rifle, maybe because it's a tad longer than the SMKs.
For plingking I use Hornady 55gr FMJBT w/Cannelure 25.3gr H335 2.240" and have been very happy with these reloads. G'luck
