Most precise bullet for a AR and 600 yards

[jlow]

As per the title. I know the AMAX are good but they are single load. Looking at the 77 grain TMKs but have not found much reloading info on them. Specifically if there are problems with the lengths and reduced case capacity.

 

[mac86951]

As per the title. I know the AMAX are good but they are single load. Looking at the 77 grain TMKs but have not found much reloading info on them. Specifically if there are problems with the lengths and reduced case capacity.

I assume from your comment single load is not preferred? (80gr Sierra; 80.5 berger)

The 77 berger / 77 Sierra
OR 70gr berger.

N140 or h4895.
F205M

-Mac

 

[jlow]

I assume from your comment single load is not preferred? (80gr Sierra; 80.5 berger)

The 77 berger / 77 Sierra
OR 70gr berger.

N140 or h4895.
F205M

-Mac

Thanks for the response! Yes, single load would not work for this application (DMR match).

I’ve shot Nosler CC 77 and have not been too happy with their consistency. Wondered about the Sierra but willing to go the Berger route if they are worth it.

At least looking through the Brian Litz “Ballistic Performance of Rifle Bullets”, I have not seen the 77 grain bullet (OTM Tactical - sorry I found it - OAL 1.014") but I did find the 70grain target VLD, 73 grain Target BT, and the 75 grain Target VLD. The 75 worries me a little due to their length (1.051”) i.e. like the Sierra 77 TMK (1.066”). The 73 grain looks interesting (0.963”) but I wonder if they are more accurate than the 77 grain SMK (0.994”) which actually have a higher BC (presumably because they are longer)?

So just off the top of my head the Berger OTM tactical seems to be the best? Any experience with them out of an AR (20" barrel)?

I don’t have those powder but do have Varget?

 

[Clavius-Walker]

Core-Lokt

 

[amlevin]

Don't overlook the Berger 73 gr. I shot a lot of them in a 1:9 twist barrel and they sure flew straight. Easy to load mag length too without using up a lot of case capacity.

 

[Bamban]

Look up Berger site for the specs on their bullets. The 70 VLD has better form factor than any 77s out there. Shorter bearing surface, you can launch them faster than any 77 class bullets intended for mag length. We've seen 2900 FPS with Varget, YMMV. I launch mine with 2000 MR at 3000 FPS in my service rifle

http://www.bergerbullets.com/form-factors-a-useful-analysis-tool/

 

[jlow]

Thanks for the great tips guys! That 70 VLD sure looks interesting, are they pretty easy to tune? I imagine since they can be loaded to mag length they tolerate jump well.

 

[JAlfred]

Sierra 77 TMK is a good bullet, with XBR8208 It shoots very well from mag length to 2.3+. At 600, it will run well against the 80s. Groups at 300 of 1 to 1.2 inches from a Savage F-TR

 

[Auto-X Fil]

77TMKs fly great, but I was unable to hit the high node with the powders I had available. XBR did it, but accuracy wasn't great. However, there are a variety of powders that give excellent velocity despite the reduced capacity, and I'm sure with some work you'll find one.

I reverted to 69 SMKs for mag-feed at 600. My gun loves them hot, so I get 2900fps+, pretty much flying even in the wind to the 2750 I can get with 77s. So don't be afraid to try something a bit lighter. Look at all the 6.5 shooters running 120-130gr bullets...

I'd consider the Berger 77 OTM as well. I haven't used it, but it appears to take up a smidge less volume, and Bergers certainly shoot well. It's also designed to shoot with a jump from mag length - the VLDs are not, and performance in mag-fed semi autos is hit or miss.

 

[jlow]

77TMKs fly great, but I was unable to hit the high node with the powders I had available. XBR did it, but accuracy wasn't great. However, there are a variety of powders that give excellent velocity despite the reduced capacity, and I'm sure with some work you'll find one.

I reverted to 69 SMKs for mag-feed at 600. My gun loves them hot, so I get 2900fps+, pretty much flying even in the wind to the 2750 I can get with 77s. So don't be afraid to try something a bit lighter. Look at all the 6.5 shooters running 120-130gr bullets...

I'd consider the Berger 77 OTM as well. I haven't used it, but it appears to take up a smidge less volume, and Bergers certainly shoot well. It's also designed to shoot with a jump from mag length - the VLDs are not, and performance in mag-fed semi autos is hit or miss.

I guess how well the VLDs jump is what I was worried about. I guess that’s the complexity of shooting from an AR or at least not doing single load. Decisions, decisions…but thanks guys for giving me a lot to think about.

 

[mac86951]

I've got two ARs set up for 600y. My 20" 1:7 wylde chamber; 77s going 2600 fps is ideal. Not too hard on brass, great consistency. Berger and Sierra are close enough in BC you won't notice aside from the ~4.5" drift at a 1mph wind call error...

My second AR is for mag only; 1:9 standard 223 chamber. It loves 70gr Berger's (24" barrel) at 2875fps. This one will shoot inside the 77load listed above.

Berger OTM and Sierras are more what your barrel likes instead of numbers on paper. The differences between 69gr-77gr at 600y with velocity corrections put them all within a good wind call. Keep control of finished seated bullet runout for best accuracy.

-Mac

 

[jlow]

Don't overlook the Berger 73 gr. I shot a lot of them in a 1:9 twist barrel and they sure flew straight. Easy to load mag length too without using up a lot of case capacity.

I called and talked to the Berger techs today. If you guys don't know of this resource, you should definitely should and use it. They are very helpful and it is free as a service from Berger.

They suggest that I look at the 73 gr Target Boat Tail because it is an often overlooked bullet - thanks amlevin. The rationale is it is a heavy bullet but not a VLD which generally is harder to tune with a big jump i.e. loaded to mag length. It also has a short bearing surface length very similar to the 70 grain Target VLD but without being a VLD.

Ordered a bunch to try them out.

 

[JAlfred]

Consider ASC stainless AR mags, allow seating depth out to 2.316" +/- .002"

 

[cmillard]

been shooting 77 bergers with aa2520 out of my long range ar (18" CLE barrel 1-7 twist) for the last many years. have been testing the 77 tmk with alliant 2000MR with promising results thus far. lake city brass and wolf srm primers

 

[JAlfred]

been shooting 77 bergers with aa2520 out of my long range ar (18" CLE barrel 1-7 twist) for the last many years. have been testing the 77 tmk with alliant 2000MR with promising results thus far. lake city brass and wolf srm primers

Keep me posted on the results with 2000MR, just got a jug in recently.

 

[cmillard]

i will say this so far, almost all of the charges I have tried so far have been same accuracy wise or more accurate than my old stand by load. have not hit pressure issues yet. once the wind dies down here in Iowa I will get back out and test the 4 other charges I have loaded up.