Reloading for the AR-15

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Hello guys,

I'm attempting to reload for my AR and just can't get to a very accurate load. The AR model I have is Competition Match HBar, so I assumed I could get nice accuracy from it, but I'm a bit frustrated by my recent results. 1½" to 2" groups for 5 tacks at 100 yds is not good enough for me...:redface:

I changed the trigger for a National Match from RRA, great trigger improvement, but no grouping...

At home I have some nice powders: H322, 748 and Varget, and a good selection of bullets, from 50gr Winchester soft points to 69gr Sierra Match Kings. I just grabbed the Varget with some BR primers so I haven't had the time to try them out.

I've weighed my empties and separated them into lots after full length sizing and trimming, so I guess my case prep is on par. I weigh the powder charges on a digital scale after having calibrated it, and re-calibrate every 30 charges. I also crimp the bullets in place with a Lee Factory Crimp Die to make sure I have constant pressure.

In your opinion, what loads should I try to get both function and accuracy? I've not dared to approach the maximum charges as the AR is gas operated and do not wish to break something. Should I?:confused:

Edited: barrel twist is 1:9
 
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I find varget a bit slow for 5.56 but some folks get good reults with it. Try not crimping the match bullets, should be enough tension on them that they won't run out on loading.
Inch and a half is very good for the AR platform BTW.
 
1.5 is not good for a MATCH AR heck its no very good for and AR period.

200 yards: 69 Sierra Match King, LC case, WSR primer, 25.3 grains Varget. Bullet seated to .000" SAMMI spec. This load is the accuracy load recommended by Sierra to achieve 2750 fps.

300 yards: 75 Hornady HPBTM, LC case, WSR primer, 23.5 grains Varget Bullet to match Major Stuph's Hornady Reman ammo, or -.004" of SAMMI spec.
 
I load 25.5 grains of Varget for 69gr. smk 205m primers, winchester brass, 2.260 oal. -sub moa at 100m
I highly recommend crimping your bullets, even the smk. I too use a lee factory crimp die.
Don't bother seperating brass or bullets, its a waist of time for the AR (my humble experience)
 
This is a repost but these loads work great for me (note... these are at or near max loads so start about 10% lower and work up from there):

My old service load was:

- 69gr SMK
- 26gr Varget
- CCI 400
- Winchester brass
- 2928fps

My new service load is:

- 77gr SMK
- 24.5gr Varget
- CCI 400
- Winchester brass
- 2812fps

The 77gr load groups a bit better and bucks the wind better, it also shows less pressure. The 69gr load is a bit warm and I needed to put an M16 carrier and heavy duty buffer spring in the rifle to tame it down a bit by slowing the unlocking of the bolt.

Edited to add that this is 223rem and the rifle is a 1:7" 20" AR15. The 77gr load also works well in my BlueStar but it has been rebarrel from the stock 1:10" to 1:7" twist.
 
My match load is
77gr BTHP Noslers
25.7 of Varget
Winchester Brass and
CCI Magnum Small Primers

its sub moa from both a Douglas and Krieger barrel
 
My scoped 6-24X40mm Bushmaster Varmitter load is :

Case : Federal
Trimmed to : 1.750
Case prep - primer pocket uniformed - weight sorted case
Neck turned to a thickness of .011
25 Gr Varget - weighted charge
75 Hornady BTHP Match
Loaded to OAL of 2.250
CCI BR4 primer -
Redding Competition bushing dies ( full lenght sizing)
Redding taper crimp - used light

.5 inches at 100 yards - 5 rounds group.


Note on case prep : I had no problem in finding loads that were holding 1 inches/ 5 shots. Easy to do with the Varmitter. But most of the time, 3 rounds clustered in .3 or .4 and remaining two rounds opened up the group to .8 or 1 inches. The attention to case preparation and the use of BR4 primer got me .5 inches / 5 shot group on demand if I do my part. The flyer went away with that extra care and a change in primer. 10 shots group remain under an inches with the load above.

Hope this help some of you.
 
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I find 2.260 oal works for all my mags, with a bit of breathing room. I have Thermold mags that accept 2.270 oal, but it doesn't make a bit of difference on paper.
 
If you can still find November 2006 issue of Shooting Times magazine in your neck of the woods it has a full section on that subject.

If you can't shoot me a PM, I think I know of someone who scanned it...

Troutseeker
 
Kevin, where are you getting 77gr noslers from? I'm having a hell of a time finding 77 grain anything, and the only thing anyone has even offered to order in is the 77gr smk... must be because all you guys are cleaning them out ;)
 
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