Match hand loads for our AR-15s

[Ironworker]

I have an AR-15 with a 20" Fluted Ballistic Advantage bbl 8" twist . I want to shoot some 65-70 gr Bullets . Any suggested hand loads ? Was thinking of buying a Box of New Black hills ammo shooting 69gr Sierra MK . But not $55 bucks for 50 rounds !

 

[Depart123]

A load that works for lots of folks is 25g Varget, 69g Sierra Matchking, Lake City brass, CCI400 primer. Seated to 2.26" Overall Length.

 

[JLT]

IMR 8208 XBR is another good powder for the 68-69 grain bullets. I use 23.8 gr. of 8208 behind a Hornady 68 gr. BTHP or a 69 gr. SMK, Tula SRM primer in LC '09 brass. Outstanding accuracy in my ARs loaded to 2.260" COAL. This load shoots very well in my bolt actions as well.

Please work up to this load in your rifles.

 

[Depart123]

IMR 8208 XBR is another good powder for the 68-69 grain bullets. I use 23.8 gr. of 8208 behind a Hornady 68 gr. BTHP or a 69 gr. SMK, Tula SRM primer in LC '09 brass. Outstanding accuracy in my ARs loaded to 2.260" COAL. This load shoots very well in my bolt actions as well.

Please work up to this load in your rifles.

That's one of my alternate loads. I only differ in that I use 23.9g of my particular lot of powder and CCI 400's. I'll try TAC in the next few days, any experience there with 69's?

 

[Shynloco]

A load that works for lots of folks is 25g Varget, 69g Sierra Matchking, Lake City brass, CCI400 primer. Seated to 2.26" Overall Length.

Certainly worth a try with that combination and even increasing the powder load a few .01's. Might also try TAC and reducing the powder load a tad. If you have it, VVN140 is also a good powder to test with using either 55 or 70gr Bergers. I was testing 55 gr Target FB Bergers yesterday being pushed by 23.7 gr VVN140 and was getting 5 shot groups the size of a dime and a few quarter sized group consistently @100yds out of a competition JP Precision Match barrel. But my eyes aren't what they once were even using a 6-18x Leupold Mark scope. And I have found my rifle seems to REALLY like VVN140 pushing a variety of Sierra and Berger bullets. Not so much using other brands such as Nosler and Hornady.
Alex

 

[Fast14riot]

24gr of RL15 or Varget, 23.2gr of 8208, LC brass, Rem 7-1/2, 75/77gr bullets at mag length (2.260-2.270). One exception, 75gr Amax, much more bearing surface and should not be loaded at mag length. But 75hpbt or 77gr smk are OK. These are pretty standard service rifle loads.

I also load a moderate charge (that I can' remember right now) of 3031 under 69gr bullets for a 1:9 twist barrel that does well to 500m.

 

[Ironworker]

Thank you guys

 

[JLT]

That's one of my alternate loads. I only differ in that I use 23.9g of my particular lot of powder and CCI 400's. I'll try TAC in the next few days, any experience there with 69's?

I've only recently started testing TAC. I've done a partial work-up with 69 gr SMKs in my 20" heavy match - I started too low, perhaps, and I need to extend the charges. No pressure so far, but what I have noticed is one heck of a muzzle flash - no flash suppressor or brake on this guy, as it was born in New York. Gonna have to fix that . . .

 

[people]

I must have a bad batch of TAC. I can not get it to shoot for anything in any of my rifles. It will work great one day then the next I am blowing primers or not enough pressure to run anything.

It sucks because I have so much.

 

[brokeasajoke]

I'm having god luck with 8208 xbr 24.4gr behind hornady 55sp cor varmints. Goin to try 75gr bthp in the 1in7 gun.

 

[GNERGY]

I have a 1 in 7 twist barrel and I shoot 69gr. Nosler Custom Competition HPBT. 21gr. H322 CCI400 primers 2.240 OAL and it puts them in 3/4 inch at 100 meters. That was good enough for me.
Tarey

 

[SWRichmond]

Just ordered some Berger 73's, barrel is of questionable quality and 1:9, I tried some Hornady 75 gr steel match and some T2 75gr TAP 556 and no joy. Rifle shoots 52 smk's very well but even at 200 yards (reduced course) they get blown around. Gonna push the 73's and look for results.

Will post results. Actually surprised to find people shooting the 69 smk's with the array of superior BC offerings available. Going to stick my toe in XTC and if it goes well will pursue heavies for 600 and a 1:7 barrel.

So I guess I am wondering why you want to limit yourself to 70gr? The 1:8 will shoot 75's, a large boost in BC. Competition or just experimenting?

 

[fotohunt]

Try Sierra 77 gr MK’s with 24 gr TAC at 2.268 with either a CCI 41 primer or Federal 205 mAR and a light crimp. You might be surprised at how well it shoots. Of course start low and work up.