Max MV, Hornady 68gr, AR, 16" barrel

[SteveOak]

I have been sifting through search results and not finding what I am looking for.

What sort of velocities have you been able to attain with Hornady 68gr BTHP's from an 16" barrel in an AR?

I have a 9 twist Melonited barrel, CCI-450 primers, 5.56 LC cases and TAC.

Just looking for a lighthouse so to speak. Where are the rocks?

Thanks!

 

[Mort123]

I have no experience with tac but I have two very accurate loads with 68gr BTHP's. 24.4gr Varget with a COL of 2.25ish, no crimp, is 2582 FPS out of my 16" and 23.8gr AA2460 same COL, crimped(LEE fcd) is 2630FPS. I can run the velocity's way higher but can't get the .5MOA accuracy that the above loads produce if I do my job, behind the trigger, correctly. Not sure what you are looking for in your question but my experience suggests that your best accuracy will come at around 2600 FPS (+/- 50 or so FPS) with 68,69 grain bullets in a 16" barreled AR, regardless of your powder choice. For me repeatable accuracy is everything, max velocity's, if not as accurate and they seldom if ever are, do nothing but put added stress on both your brass and firearm.

 

[CaptJim]

I have been sifting through search results and not finding what I am looking for.

What sort of velocities have you been able to attain with Hornady 68gr BTHP's from an 16" barrel in an AR?

I have a 9 twist Melanited barrel, CCI-450 primers, 5.56 LC cases and TAC.

Just looking for a lighthouse so to speak. Where are the rocks?

Thanks!

I recorded 2560 fps for a 69 gr Matchking out of my 14.5" 1:7 M4. The load was 24.3 gr of Tac. Adjusting for a 16" barrel your velocity should be in the neighborhood of 2625 (+-). Tac is a favorite of mine. I use it for .223/5.56, .308, 6mm/.223, 6mm/22-250.
CJ

 

[SteveOak]

Thank you for the information Mort and Jim.

I'm getting 2625. 500 fps below book data seemed like a lot of loss

 

[Doug Casner]

I dont know what the velocity is but 69 gr. matchkings and a max. charge of CFE 223 shoot around a in. in my Stag. Doug

 

[CaptJim]

Thank you for the information Mort and Jim.

I'm getting 2625. 500 fps below book data seemed like a lot of loss

I have loaded hotter than this but see no real benefit for my use. Between 24 and 25 grains seeme to produce the accuracy I want with adequate performance. If shooting steel at 1000 I might want to push the limit.
CJ