??? For F-TR AR shooters.

[lmorrison17]

OK here is my deal. I have experience in F-Open but am going to give TR a go.

Here is my setup.
20" shilen 1:8, Wylde chamber. harris bi-pod.
lapua brass, cci and wolf primers both SRM, varget and RL15.
So far I have 80g Sierra MK and 80g Hornady Amax to test.
Will be shooting from a Harris and a Protektor bunny bag(may get a rabbit ear bag in the future).
Troy Battle axe stock at the moment till I can get Magpull PRS.
24x Sightron, duplex ret. (if the cross hair turns out to be too thick I may pull the 36x from my open gun)

Barrel has been broken in but I have not started any real load development with the heavies yet.
Will be for 600yd shoots.

I have no experience loading for an AR.
1: Looking for load advise, pressure signs to look for in an AR, bullets and powders to try, seating depth experiences.
2: Any advise on shooting from my pod/bag setup. I know about pre-loadind the legs and paying special attention to cheek pressure.
3: How bad am I like to get humbled going from my dasher to this. :'(

 

[LESLEY]

As long as your having fun. What does it matter. I would rather shoot an AR for F/TR than not shoot at all. Shoot have fun you have nothing to lose. I have been to the point where winning was the reason I shot. It took the fun out of it.

 

[lmorrison17]

Part of the reason Im switching.
But I would still like the other information for my own piece of mind.

 

[boltman223]

How much freebore do you have? Can the bullet be seated above the case shoulder junction?

Also, if haven't already go to the 223 page on this site and there is a link for sierra load data for the AR-15.

I shoot a 223 now (bolt gun) and I have fun with it and I think it is competitive at 600 yards too. Sorry I can't help you with any AR load data.

 

[lmorrison17]

You know I have not checked for where the lands contact length is at with the heavies yet.
I just got done with the barrel break in yesterday and just weight sorted 100 Lapua cases and I'm not happy.
Over a 2 grain spread with 2 very distinct bells, I can only think that big of a difference in cases this small will show up at 600. Will screen through them with a ball mic on the necks just to see if that can tell me anything.
Will also find land contact with the 2 bullets I have later this eve and report back.

 

[granite1]

I think the reticle of your 24x may be your big problem. As you know from shooting in open you need to see the "X" ring. And the advice about using the "223" page here will get you load data. I'm sure you realize your going to sacrifice some velocity using an "AR". I have found that using regular old "Winchester" brass works just as well as any other.

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

I shot an AR for years in F-TR, mid-range and long range. Now I only use it for MR anymore.

When I was shooting it at 1000 yards, I used a load that was above maximum so I took some steps to mitigate the extra recoil. The first thing was to replace the recoil spring with a Tubb chrome-silicon recoil spring. (I also replaced the springs in the bolt with CS springs.) The next thing was to add his carrier weight system (CWS) with the heavy carbide insert to the rear of the carrier. I also use a Bobsled to facilitate single load and I added a through-the-finger-guard bolt release. That last gadget was a Godsend, trust me on this.

I also used the Magpul PRS stock and a Sinclair gen 2 bipod. Anything is better than a Harris bipod for F-TR. The trigger is a Geissele HiSpeed match trigger.

The barrel is a 26 inch 1:7.75 twist Krieger with their 556 NATO match chamber, long but tight.

That rifle CAN shoot.

The ammo uses Winchester brass, Remington 7 1/2 primers, Varget powder and the incomparable 80gr JLK. Since I no longer use this for 1000 yard matches, I have reduced the charge from its insane load into something under book max, but still with Varget.

What chamber does your rifle have? If it's a Shilen, it may well be a Wylde chamber which should allow you to chamber the long bullets.

 

[boltman223]

I use 80 smk's and do alright, with these bullets at 2930 I loose about 2" of drift to my 308. I shoot better with the 223 than my 308 also. My last match I didn't drop anymore than 8 points per string with my 223, I am just a marksmen but, the wind wasn't too bad. There was a high master shooting a 223 and he scored a 197 and a 199 at 600 yards. He was using one of the 80 gr. bergers

 

[lmorrison17]

Guess I should have mentioned It does have the Wylde chamber. Will update original post.
Already have Bill's high speed "match" trigger.
May get a true F-Class bi-pod in the future Want to make sure I'm gonna stick with this class before I go to that expence.
I could probably borrow one at shoot to try out, maybe shoot one target with the harris and one with the sinclair and see what the difference is.
Honestly I have only shot it from a rest so far.

 

[broncman]

I will highly second a carrier weight! You can even make your own if you have acces to a lathe. I made a rear bag rider for my AR that I shot at 600. Shot some decent scores for a beginner with it at 600 yards.

A carrier weight tames the heavier loads so it does not tear up your brass by trying to rotate the bolt head still under pressure. Makes the bolt cycle a little less harsh as well.

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

The other item I added to my AR F-TR rifle is a Tubb pistol grip. It looks goofy but it is oh so comfortable when shooting prone.

http://www.davidtubb.com/ar-15-up-tight-composite-grip-black

 

[Robbieg19]

I use the same barrel you have with 80grn Sierra MK and Reloader 15. I used this data to get started http://www.whiteoakprecision.com/info-reloading.htm
I ended up right in the middle of the charge weights shown and .010 off the lands. This has been a very accurate load.
You can use the Harris bipod and do well. I started with one but have switched to the Sinclair and like it much more.

 

[lmorrison17]

You guys are gonna cost me money.

I had already decided on the tubb grip too.
Have spent a good portion of the evening looking up data for the heavy bullets and been fairly successful.
Thanks everyone.

 

[Delaware_Ken]

Good Morning Larry,

I have an adjustable Sinclair Bi-Pod that I will make you a good deal on. I've used it on my 223 Savage, and have had good luck with it. I weighed my rig the other day and she is right at 18.2 Lbs. with the Sinclair, so I want to change it out for something a little lighter just in case the scales at the range don't agree with mine. I'm planning on shooting on Friday to get some good marks at 800, 900, and 1000 yards. I'll bring it with me if you are interested.

Good luck with your AR build, Ken

 

[AR Shooter]

Larry - go here: http://radomski.us/njhp/ and click on the 'Reloading Stuph' on the left. Will give you many options for reloading an AR with a 20" barrel, which is essentially a service rifle, which these loads are intended for. Good luck in F-T/R, but am guessing you will soon ditch the Harris bipod for something more stable.

 

[lmorrison17]

Ken
Not sure about this weekend yet .
I might be interested but I have to get a stock paid for first.

AR SHooter thanks for that link lotsa good info.

Will be finding the lands on 80g SMK's and the 80g AMAX when I get home tonight

 

[boltman13]

I can personally recommend a 75 gr Hornady A-Max, 24.5 gr of Varget, a Rem 7 1/2 Primer, Win cases, and seated 0.02" off the rifling for 600 yds. This is not a hot load and probably won't do at 1K. My White Oak upper sure loves it, however.