Loading for "AR" type rifles.

[4xforfun]

Thinking of getting a Rem R-25 for "predator control". My brother has an R-15 223, so I was going to go with a 243, 7mm-08, or 308. Figured it may also see some duty as a deer plinker.

I have been reloading all of my life, but never for an auto loader. Will I need to crimp?. What other secrets are there to prevent a jam-fest??

I may end up just shooting factory ammo, but have a feeling that after a few...a....er....rapid fire sessions .....that I will end up rethinking the whole factory ammo thing!!

Thanks,
Tod

 

[jonbearman]

A small base die. It isnt absolute,but if you want trouble free operation,get one as I have an armalite ar-10 in .308. Dont load hot as most manufacturers want you to use factory ammo.The ar-10 was designed for fgmm ammo.I havent put a factory round down mine and havent had a problem.I would stick with 7-08 or .308,that is my preference for an all around cartridge.

 

[rockwood75]

I have two AR pattern rifles. Both are DPMS. One chambered in .308 with a collapsible stock, Lothar 18.5" barrel and holosight. The other is chambered in .260 Remington with a 26" Krieger barrel. With the carbine, I did experience some problems initially with bullets wanting to seat themselves deeper in the cases while in the magazine during "rapid fire." After factory crimping all ammo that I shot through this rifle, I haven't had a problem. Due to the light weight of the carbine and the use of heavier (168 grain HPBT) bullets, I experience a little bit more recoil than what the neck tension of the case alone could handle. The factory crimp actually seems to have improved velocity slightly as well as accuracy. In the .260, I have no problems shooting 142 SMK's at 2780 fps. Very good accuracy out to 900 yards. Also using 120 grain Nosler BT's for hunting. Can't say enough about the Nosler's performance on coyotes and deer, just awesome! Using Varget and IMR 4350 with Remington brass. Another item I would recommend is an adjustable gas block from JP rifles.

 

[markm87]

Crimping will depend on the gun. A smooth running AR won't need a crimp.

I run a light crimp from my LEE Factory Crimp Die on 69gr SMKs and they hold 1/2 moa coming off my Dillon 550b. I use H322 which meters like ball powder, and we just crank them out.

 

[4xforfun]

I'm thinking a 308 since the bbls are only 20" long. Are there any clips bigger than 10 rounders available for the R25/DPMS?

 

[flatlander]

I've put together four AR10s on DPMS-style receivers; they are chambered for: 6XC, 6.5x47, 7mm-08/AR30, and 308. The 6XC & 308 have 22" bbls., the 7mm is 25", and the 6.5x47 is 28". I'm still fireforming 6XC using 22-250 brass; same goes for the 7mm-08, which has a 30* shoulder and .065" longer body. 6XC & 6.5x47 are easier to tune for accuracy & have less recoil, but the 7mm & 308 are no slouches, either. If I were doing it again, I'd probably go with a 6.5XC or 260 instead of the 6.5x47, as I hate loosing that high $$$ Lapua brass.

Otherwise, I'm pretty pleased with all four of 'em. I don't use small base dies in any of my ARs, and that includes 223, 6 RAT, 6 HAGAR, & 6.8 SPC in the AR15 platform. Neither do I crimp, as I've never seen the need, and don't want to risk doing anything that might reduce accuracy.

Some DPMS bolts have a rather sloppy firing pin/fp hole fit, and will crater most primers with any load that cycles the action. I use Wolf SRM primers in the 6.5x47 out of necessity, and found that they give accuracy at least as good as anything else I tried. I'd have to advise against using Fed 210s - even though they may be one of the best for accuracy, they have a reputation for causing slam-fires in M1 & M14-type rifles.

Depending on the gas port dia. of factory bbls., you'll probably have to juggle powder charges & burn rates to avoid mangled caseheads with top loads. I set my own bbls. up with the smallest gas port that'll lock the bolt back on an empty magazine, using loads in the range I expect to use most often. As a result, my rifles might short stroke with oddball ammo loaded with powders outside the burning rate range I expect to use, but since I load all my own ammo, that's something I'm prepared to deal with.

 

[markm87]

I'm thinking a 308 since the bbls are only 20" long. Are there any clips bigger than 10 rounders available for the R25/DPMS?

My shooting buddy runs the LMT 308 gas gun with a 16 inch barrel. That thing is amazing. It regularly hangs with our bolt guns out to 500 yards.

He has a 20 round PMAG for the gun, and some Expensive Aluminum USGI looking mag that cost him $100.

I've never been a fan of 308 gas guns at all... but that thing continues to be impressive in reliability and accuracy.

 

[rockwood75]

The 20 round pmags from Magpul have been awesome so far, and quite reasonably priced.

 

[hogan]

Reloader 15, Varget, 4064, 4895 are the optimum burn-rate powders for AR-10 type rifles. RL-15 and Varget being optimum for AR-15 type. All has to do with the gas system. Slower burn-rate powders and heavy loads will batter gas or piston systems.

Got the $$ to spend and want a new game? AR-10 is just the ticket. AR-15 would be my recommendation for a predator gun. Be sure to get a 1:8 twist barrel, maybe 1:7 and then study Sierra's numbers for their 77gr MatchKing.

A flat-topped Service Rifle from RRA, Armalite, or Colt would be a great choice for precision shooting. Easy to scope, detachable match sights if want to shoot Service Rifle comps. Weighs about 9lbs and can be lightened if you remove or drill vent holes in the float tube, or go tactical and replace with a JP or Badger forend.

77gr SMK or Nosler BTHP will easily group 1/2 moa out to 500yds. Maybe you shoot Nosler 60gr Partitions for deer if can't hunt w/target bullets.

I would avoid a Rem AR gun. Armalite is the best choice for a factory AR-10. Their AR-10T in .260rem is a better choice for varminting and hunting. Have the barrel shortened to 20" if don't want the 24" standard configuration.

 

[yukonal]

6.8 SPC II...

Best of both worlds. AR 15.

 

[Rookie]

I don't use a factory crimp or cannulared bullets.
I do run the fully sized & prepped cases into a Forester neck die without it's expander to give .002" more neck tension.
I'm currently collecting parts for a long-range 260 AR10.