Daniel Defense - competition accuracy

[Halmccoyii]

I have a Daniel Defense DDM4V7. I entered The Blast competition in May. I have never competed in anything at all and am learning basically by myself. I am working on using it for the AR class. I recognize this is not a competition rifle but it is what I have so I plan to use it. I also have a Tikka Ace Target in 6.5 I will use for other classes. I hand load and for the 6.5 I am shooting small groups and getting low SDs. For 6.5 I am in the .4 -.5 range pretty consistently for 10 shot groups. So while I don't expect to win anything my goal is not to embarrass myself. in the AR I am trying to find ways to get groups tighter unless someone just says "that isnt going to happen" with my DD.

I have settled on a couple loads for the DD and have gotten decent results. Normally around 1 MOA. Maybe not the best way to think about it but I will shoot 10 rounds and get 8-9 inside .7 to .8 and have a "flyer at 1.1 -1.2 moa. I am sure some of it is me.

Just wondering if anyone had anything I should try or if I just move on and assume that't the best I am going to do.

DD Equipment:
DDM4 V7
Geisselle SSA trigger
Atlas Bipod with spike feet
Huxwrk 556k can
B5 precision stock
Protektor rear bag
Leupold Mark4 HD - 6-24x52 PR3 with Spuhr mount (had to ad Lepupold riser to get it off handguard)

Haven't finished load test yet but last test
Hornady 73 ELDm with 21.7g of N135 @ 2,641 SD 9 (15 shots) - shot slightly better
Sierra 77 Match King with 23.6g of N140 @ 2,653 SD 13.8 (5 shot)
Hornady 75 BTHP with n135 and n140 - both shot terrible so I stopped loading it.

CCI 41 primers

I dropped charge weights when I switched to new brass so I will move it up a little as I think I left some velocity and maybe some SD on the table vs previous loads before switch.

I just switched from Hornday brass to Starline for DD. I shoot Lapua in everything else but decided to use Starline, as I also load Lapua in my tikka Ace Target 223 and want to have a clear distinction between the brass. the Tikka Ace in 223 is a true tack driver with Hornady 75 ELDM and 73 Eldm with N140 and Lapua Brass.

Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[jelenko]

Assuming your targets are at 100 yards, for an AR with a chrome lined barrel, shooting off a bipod [even with a rear rest] seems pretty good to me.

Don't know your skill level with bipods, but they have a fair learning curve.

A couple things you could try:
Put a match grade barrel on - even a Wilson from WOA
Use a front rest instead of the bipod.

All that said, what are the accuracy requirements for the competition? I.e., what size targets at what distance do they use? 1.2 MOA may be all you need to not hold you back.

 

[Halmccoyii]

I guess I should have put the target size. Yes that was 100 yard target.

The targets at blast are 4.25” clay targets. Distances are 107, 246, 365, and 492. So sub moa at the farthest distance. I’m sure wind calls will be substantial issue for me in Kansas.

I have practiced and worked through understanding the bipod issue. Trying to have decent constant pressure on the bipod. I use the same bipod on my other rifles and getting tight groups. I only have 200 yards to practice at my personal range and practice with 2” steel. Very high percent hits with tikka but lower with DD. I don’t have a great front rest and probably don’t want to invest in a really good one at this point.

I am not expecting same level of accuracy in DD but trying to get a little better then I have now. Tikka is about 15.5 pound rifle and DD is obviously lighter and I am not as stable with it.

I just don’t know what my expectation might be with this. For the rest of what I use it for, plinking and coyote’s to 200 yards is perfectly fine.

I also sort of wondered if there was any bullet and powder combo that might push me in that direction.

 

[jelenko]

Those bullet/powder combinations all should shoot very well.
Assuming you've got the bipod figured out [sounds like you do - not easy!], I'm thinking the chrome lined barrel is the limiting factor.

You could try testing at various seating depths, but, again, those groups look pretty good to me for chrome lined.

 

[sdbob]

I’m bringing a 20 inch Wilson 24.1 N140 (77 Hpbt) at mag length. REM 71/2 @ 2635 fps.

Be able to see your misses, nobody else will be able to assist. Bring enough scope.

If you like to load your bipod bring a board to clamp across the bench to lean into.

Just plan on having a good time, a great group of people!!

 

[Paul Hilgedick]

At the Blast last year the AR class was the only class you didnt have to shoot clean to make the shootoff.

Paul H

 

[jelenko]

Hmm. If you're shooting at 1 MOA targets [i.e., clay pigeons at 400 yards], I'd want something that holds closer to 1/2 MOA [i.e., 1/2 " at 100 yards].

 

[Bat Rastard]

The Blast is a blast.

 

[Halmccoyii]

I’m bringing a 20 inch Wilson 24.1 N140 (77 Hpbt) at mag length. REM 71/2 @ 2635 fps.

Be able to see your misses, nobody else will be able to assist. Bring enough scope.

If you like to load your bipod bring a board to clamp across the bench to lean into.

Just plan on having a good time, a great group of people!!

Sally said spikes were good on the mats so I plan to use them.

Very excited. Never done anything like it. Just hoping to have fun, learn a lot, and hopefully get better in the process. Don’t expect AR to be my best class, but figured if give it a try.

I hear it’s a great group of people.

See you there.

Hal.

 

[Halmccoyii]

At the Blast last year the AR class was the only class you didnt have to shoot clean to make the shootoff.

Paul H

If I clean the AR class I won’t be able to shoot the finals because I will have passed out.

 

[Halmccoyii]

Hmm. If you're shooting at 1 MOA targets [i.e., clay pigeons at 400 yards], I'd want something that holds closer to 1/2 MOA [i.e., 1/2 " at 100 yards].

Yes. It’s not tight enough. Trying to make it better. My other rifle I will be using and it’s load is there but my AR is not there yet. I haven’t really tried to make it a tool for an event like this. But what the heck. Figured I’d give it a try.

 

[dthomas]

Try using a berger bullet and see if it shoots better.

 

[sfinn1]

Quality bullets and Barrels with good load are the start for good groups.
Of course all the other stuff, triggers, scope etc. help it along.
As Jelenko said your barrel may be holding back.

 

[Halmccoyii]

Try using a berger bullet and see if it shoots better.

Any suggestions on which to try. So far 73 eldm has shot better than the 77smk with n135 and n140.

The only time the 77 shot better was at high velocities where it hit some over pressure events. The 77 was loaded well below max which was interesting.

 

[dthomas]

Not sure which one you're rifle will like but I've always had berger shoot better than the rest in everything I've tried them in. Haven't used them yet in an ar since mine are just used for home defense.

 

[charlie b]

My bolt .223 shot 77SMK's very well, around 1/2. 73ELDM's were about same as the 77SMK's. Berger 73's were even better, much more consistent and fewer fliers.

I agree that if I have a rifle that shoots well, then it will usually shoot better with the Bergers. It is a tough call since the little yellow boxes cost so much

 

[Steve Donlon]

I think you will be fine with the chrome lined barrel. I have the Pro model with an 18" barrel and it shoots good. Also have a 300 BLK Hunter that will shoot a one inch group at 300 yards if there is no wind. A 20" barrel would be better but run want ya brung. It's all about getting out and doing it and having fun.

 

[Halmccoyii]

Not sure which one you're rifle will like but I've always had berger shoot better than the rest in everything I've tried them in. Haven't used them yet in an ar since mine are just used for home defense.

I switched to the Berger 150 Hybrid target from 140 ElDM in my 6.5 and the for sure shot better. So I may give them a try in the 223.

Thanks.

 

[Halmccoyii]

I think you will be fine with the chrome lined barrel. I have the Pro model with an 18" barrel and it shoots good. Also have a 300 BLK Hunter that will shoot a one inch group at 300 yards if there is no wind. A 20" barrel would be better but run want ya brung. It's all about getting out and doing it and having fun.

I plan to just have fun but trying to not embarrass myself. So planning on sticking with this rifle and making it as best I can.

Thanks.

 

[Halmccoyii]

My bolt .223 shot 77SMK's very well, around 1/2. 73ELDM's were about same as the 77SMK's. Berger 73's were even better, much more consistent and fewer fliers.

I agree that if I have a rifle that shoots well, then it will usually shoot better with the Bergers. It is a tough call since the little yellow boxes cost so much

They are expensive. But only shooting one relay with them so I’ll give one box a try. I sure like them in 6.5. If I can work up a load with them I’ll be ok as I don’t plan to shoot a lot with them.

Thanks.