.223 in AR with 1:8 twist

[Rustystud]

Folks:

I have a AR with a 1:8 twist 20" barrel to shoot in Service Rifle at 600 yards. I have both Sierra 77 HPBTM and 80 HPBTM bullets. I have experimented with with W-748 and BLC2. Have had some pressure issues,to much)and velocities,to little). The loads I shoot in my bolt gun are to much for this gas gun. I would like some suggestions on what others have found that works well in their gas guns with 1:8 twist barrels.
Thanks
Rustystud

 

[Spotcheck_Billy]

All loads below shot from 20" Douglas Premium SS Match 1/8 twist barrel on an ArmaLite Service Rifle, all using Winchester brass and Remington 7 1/2 primers. 77gr. bullets seated to magazine length,2.26") ans 80gr. bullets seated to 2.450" -

77SMK 24.1gr. Re15 2725MV
77SMK 22.5gr. H4895 2676MV
77SMK 24gr. Varget 2695MV
80SMK 24gr. Re15 2692MV
80SMK 22gr. H4895 2602MV
80SMK 23.5gr. Varget 2645MV

YMMV

Alan

 

[memilanuk]

Nathan,

Varget, RE-15, H4895, and N140 are probably the most popular for use under the heavy bullets in the AR... some people use some N540 for loads w/ moly and 90's, or in space guns or bolt guns w/ longer barrels. Tac has some proponents, being a ball powder, as does AA2460 and AA2520. The ones you mentioned aren't used much w/ heavy bullets beyond 69gr currently that I know of. A few do, but not many.

I'd highly recommend somewhere between 23.5-24.5gr RE-15 w/ 75/77/80gr bullets, and Rem 7-1/2 primers. Usually a fairly easy load to get to shoot in most guns.

YMMV,

Monte

 

[Rustystud]

Gentlemen:

I loaded up some SMK77s with 24gr of Varget and RL-15. Both shot fine. The varget metered in my measure a little better.

With iron sights at 50 yards I got groups under 1.inch and No pressure signs.

Nat

 

[FClasser]

Nat:
I shot an AR over the course for many years and the load that always seem to shoot well w/80 Sierras was 24.5-24.8 RL-15, Rem 7.5, LC brass . Hope this helps
Tom Nichols

 

[kells81]

you just need one powder, Varget, BTW your AR should hold up to pressures equal to or higher than a bolt gun, if not get rid of it and buy a quality tube with adjustable gas system.

 

[Rustystud]

As mentioned earlier I have loaded hundreds of thousands of 50-69 grain .223 bullets with W-748 and BLC2. My powder measure throws Varget and Reloader 15 within .01 grain. But about ever 10th round there is a delay and I drop powder all over my shell plate. I spent all morning machining a new powder funnel for my powder measure. I just think ball powder meaters better. Anybody got a better mouse trap.

Rustystud a/k/a Nathaniel G. Lambeth, Sr. Custom Guns and Ammunition

 

[USAPatriot]

As mentioned earlier I have loaded hundreds of thousands of 50-69 grain .223 bullets with W-748 and BLC2. My powder measure throws Varget and Reloader 15 within .01 grain. But about ever 10th round there is a delay and I drop powder all over my shell plate. I spent all morning machining a new powder funnel for my powder measure. I just think ball powder meaters better. Anybody got a better mouse trap.

Rustystud a/k/a Nathaniel G. Lambeth, Sr. Custom Guns and Ammunition

Yup. I think it's high time to chop the 6BR down so it can be filled with sphericals. I was loading rounds today, grabbed at the BLC,2) and then put it back because I knew there was going to be 1/3 empty space in my cases. Same with H380.

Expensive mousetraps. -Rod-

 

[Clarence]

Rusty:
I have shot the 1in8 in the Wilson barrel and found that I needed to approach the 25gr,Varget) mark with the bullets stated to get the accuracy at distance, close would produce 3/8" and I believe that to be competive, me thinks you primer choice is good, just start increasing the powder. The 223 case is small so be careful with adding much more than .2 tenths at a time.

Clarence

 

[Balcom]

Rusty,
Most shooters in Australia use Varget, thats ADI AR2208 to us with the 80 SMK in 26" barrels with 25.4GNS for full bore and F class.
Use a hard primer like 7.5REM and if you resize every time you will have to press down on your powder.
PeterH

 

[Rustystud]

Folks:

24.1 Grains of Varget is giving me good groups, good function and no pressure signs. Have been shooting WSR primers, mixed but trimmed and sized brass.

Thanks for your input.

Rustystud