69 gr match bullets are about the best performing regardless of barrel twist. I have a oddball Savage 10FP LA in .223 with a 1-12" twist . Shoots 69's outstanding. Tried 77's and they didn't work well .
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55gr and 1:12 twist is God's favored combo.I have a boatload of 55 grain. Great for general plinking but I just can't get great accuracy. Not even at a 100 yards. Is the round not getting stabilized and should I be going heavier, like 75 grains?
I'm trying to get the gun to be coyote ready. I always figured 55 grain was good in just about any AR.
My 1:9 twist Savage bolt-action handles anything from 40 grains to 69 grains with no problems. Very accurate with M193 and M855. Of all the military and commercial loads that I tested, it seems to perform its best with 53 grain Vmax at about 3,400 fps muzzle velocity.I have a boatload of 55 grain. Great for general plinking but I just can't get great accuracy. Not even at a 100 yards. Is the round not getting stabilized and should I be going heavier, like 75 grains?
I'm trying to get the gun to be coyote ready. I always figured 55 grain was good in just about any AR.
Thx. Agree, which is why have a bunch of the cheap ammo. Just to have some fun and practice. It is a precision setup though. I wanted an AR that will not just be good for Armageddon, but for predators and varmints. Plus it's fun, and frustrating, to figure out how to get this thing to work at 300 yards or further.It's an AR bro, unless it's a purpose-built target rifle, a minute of bad-guy accuracy has always been good enough for me. Shoot cheap ammo and be happy you can afford to get a hamburger when you're done shooting. Buying expensive ammo to punch holes in paper is fun once in a great while, but I would rather buy cheap and practice more.
If you're hunting with it, different story...
so, here is your salvation - try to load up 69 SMK, then 70 nosler CC, then 70 nosler RDF, then 77 nosler RDF.Just got back from the range. I cleaned the barrel this morning. Man was that thing dirty.
Brought 77gr hornady match and 69gr hornady black. Wow what a difference. Probably helped that I had a clean barrel too.
It was close but I think the 69 gr wins. Here is a three shot group. The one above was the 77gr. I had sighted the score to that round.
View attachment 818569
Thanks for the help. Now to push it out to three hundred next.
Ha, that's next. I have to look, I think I have the dies to reload 223. That's the next rabbit hole.so, here is your salvation - try to load up 69 SMK, then 70 nosler CC, then 70 nosler RDF, then 77 nosler RDF.
if using varget - from 23.5gr to 25gr somewhat has to be a sweet spot, usually around 24gr. you may squeeze those groups into 2/3 moa at least.
I would try decent 55 grain, clean barrel, try to get right groupls at 50, then 100, then stretch out.Just got back from the range. I cleaned the barrel this morning. Man was that thing dirty.
Brought 77gr hornady match and 69gr hornady black. Wow what a difference. Probably helped that I had a clean barrel too.
It was close but I think the 69 gr wins. Here is a three shot group. The one above was the 77gr. I had sighted the scope to that round.
View attachment 818569
Thanks for the help. Now to push it out to three hundred next.
I will try the bulk ammo again with a clean barrel to determine what role the crap in the barrel played. Plus, prior to yesterday, probably only 20 rounds have been put through this gun. Possibly some breaking in is playing a role. The groups with the 55gr absolutely sucked yesterday.Also, when zeroing….especially if you’re having issues, start with a box of 20 in Protective packaging. You don’t need to do expensive match ammo!! Bulk 55 brass should get you close, then dial in with even the same brand in the individual packaging….protective of you want to be fancy.
You should be able to dial in irons on any AR in a box of 20, and ring ten inch steel with bulk ammo at 300 yards with ease, in a matter of a half hour….depending on how many times you walk back and forth to zero target.
I dialed in the 4X-12X Nikon on my Savage bolt action .223 rifle to hit dead on at 200 yards. That is a good zero. I am good to 350, which I consider to be the realistic effective range of this rifle. If I need more, I reach for my .270. Bigger bullet, longer range.I will try the bulk ammo again with a clean barrel to determine what role the crap in the barrel played. Plus, prior to yesterday, probably only 20 rounds have been put through this gun. Possibly some breaking in is playing a role. The groups with the 55gr absolutely sucked yesterday.
You said steel cased, which ‘generally’ indicates crappy foreign plinking ammo. Not always. I shoot a ton of steel cased through all sorts of guns. It’s great for plinking but not the best for accuracy, in general.I will try the bulk ammo again with a clean barrel to determine what role the crap in the barrel played. Plus, prior to yesterday, probably only 20 rounds have been put through this gun. Possibly some breaking in is playing a role. The groups with the 55gr absolutely sucked yesterday.
i think both my tavor and 16" ARs will do a general in the head with steel 55gr 5.56 tula at under 200 yds just fine.not the best for accuracy, in general.
200 yards is you better be able to hit a 6” gong off hand range….i think both my tavor and 16" ARs will do a general in the head with steel 55gr 5.56 tula at under 200 yds just fine.
just need to make sure that general is fat enough, if i miss the headshot.
there is always a friendly tree branch nearby, off hand is difficult now, with trembling tentacles. i`m no 17 anymore.200 yards is you better be able to hit a 6” gong off hand range….
Or an elbow and a sling….but I get what you’re laying down.there is always a friendly tree branch nearby, off hand is difficult now, with trembling tentacles. i`m no 17 anymore.
Not yet. 6.5 creedmoor.Wicked informative thread
i am not wasting sniper grade 6.5cm on a mere general, it got to be at least a marshall.Not yet. 6.5 creedmoor.
Now, it’s wicked informative!!
Oh shit, this is scoped?? You should be grouping silver dollar sized with that scope if it’s set on the rifle correctly….Ha, that's next. I have to look, I think I have the dies to reload 223. That's the next rabbit hole.
And thanks for that data!
View attachment 818576
no, you cannot do a silver dollar if it`s not a nightforce. nightforce is a minimum. and a $3k swarovski binoculars, to enhance the barrel via those special vibes they emanate.Oh shit, this is scoped?? You should be grouping silver dollar sized with that scope if it’s set on the rifle correctly….
That twist rate is too slow for heavier projectIles. Probably made for varmint shooting with lighter projectiles at high fps.69 gr match bullets are about the best performing regardless of barrel twist. I have a oddball Savage 10FP LA in .223 with a 1-12" twist . Shoots 69's outstanding. Tried 77's and they didn't work well .