Reloading equiptment for best accuracy possible!

[Ben31]

I just recently put alot of money into a custom AR-15 in 6.5 grendel and want to reload for this magnificent rifle. Here's are my problems. For one, I haven't ever reloaded for rifle before. I started about a year ago with a lee single stage kit and and RCBS chargemaster powder dispenser. This seems to do the trick for pistol loads, but the chargemaster isn't supremely accurate, and I seem to get some variance with the dies etc. Along with the rifle I decided on the Forster 2 die set (resizing die and ultra micrometer seater die). I was told to use the Lee press for my pistol and get a Redding or something equivelant for the rifle. My goal is to get the best accuracy I can through reloading as opposed to volume. Any good advice on products, and what do you think of my choice of die sets?

 

[284driver]

I load for volume in ar15 platforms. 223 and Grendel. I have a Dillon 650 and use redding dies. Blc2 powder meters perfectly and is very consistent. couldn't be happier with that combo. If you also load for pistols, its a win win.

 

[284driver]

the important thing is to find a ball powder that works for you because the Dillon powder measure cuts stick powder and you will get +/- .2 differences in variation. Of course that happens with most measures.

 

[BoydAllen]

I am not a particular fan of Lee's least expensive presses, although their cast iron models have received good reviews. Having said that, your current press should work.

Now, as to reloading for your caliber, semiautomatics need to have more room around the case in the rifle chamber than bolt actions, including clearance at the shoulder of the case, so make sure that your FL die setup is appropriate to your type of rifle.

A friend has an AR in the same caliber as you do. He has found that if he wants to get the best velocity possible with the 123 gr. class of bullets that he is pretty well limited to Accurate 2520.

As far as powder measuring equipment goes, I see no reason that your Chargemaster should not work just fine. There are a number of short range benchrest shooters that use them.

 

[Hoier]

I agree with the chargemaster being good, I get low es using mine with a Dasher. Your press should work great to but if you think you need another one then the RCBS Rockchucker is a good choice also.

 

[KevinThomas]

Ben31,

Not really a good place to start, since you've dived into the deep end of the pool here! Loading for ARs (any autoloader, for that matter) is a form of advanced handloading, and there's more than a few pitfalls. Let's get a few of them out of the way immediately;

1: Buy, and USE gages for setting up your dies. Wilson, RCBS, Redding, whatever, you need to know how much you're sizing and that you're bumping the shoulders back enough.

2: Full Length size, at the very least, ALWAYS! Small Base sizing is a worthwhile option, and is a worthwhile consideration. Neck sizing in an AR is a problem looking for a place to happen, and it'll find that place very quickly. NEVER neck size for gas guns, period, full stop, nothing follows. Ever.

3: Reloading considerations for gas guns need to be, safety, functional reliability and then accuracy, in that order. Don't worry about the accuracy; the ARs are inherently an incredibly accurate platform. If built properly, with decent components, they'll shoot astonishingly well with most any halfway decent ammo.

If you do decide to step up to a Dillon, just be careful. Mixing a progressive, a gas gun and a relatively new reloader is a dicey combination. Not knocking Dillon here, and will state flat out that they're the best makers of progressive presses on the market, hands down. But they do require some attention to detail. Combine that with the pitfalls of gas guns, and you see where I'm going here. Not real big on the ball powders in general, due to the problems associated with temperature variations that go hand in hand with most double based powders. I'd suggest using whatever powder turns in the best performance in your rifle, under the conditions you'll be shooting, and let that be the selection criteria. If you're concerned about the measures (and Dillon's doesn't really handle extruded tubular powders well) then take a look at one of their adapters that allow the use of other measures better suited to this type of powder. Personally, I load my AR Match ammo on both 550s and a 1050, both types fitted adapters that allow me to use the RCBS Uniflow (on the 1050) or the Redding BR-3 or BR-30 (on the 550s). I use these in competition without hesitation up to, and including, the Nationals at Camp Perry.

 

[FroggyOne2]

Well said Kevin!

 

[savagedasher]

hi
have over 8 different presses
on my bench i have two
lee classic cast
forester co axle
2 chargemasters. the rest are in the shed