Reloading help .223 18" AR 77 smk

[Jrod1987]

I'm trying figure out what powder is the best for my load. 223/5.56 18" barrel 77 Sierra matchkings.
I been buying factory IMI loads loaded with same bullet. They shoot 2800 out of my gun and I wanna match that. What powder would work best. Wondering about ramshot TAC data looks good on it. Anybody have experience with it? Don't want a temp sensitive powder thx

 

[rmr]

I run TAC with the 73G berger, and its a 1/2 MOA load out of a 18" wilson BBl. Western has published 5.56x45 data for TAC on the website. they are hot loads, but you should be able to achieve that velocity.

http://blog.westernpowders.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/WesternLoadGuide1-2016_Web.pdf

 

[Baddog0302]

You can call Sierra and they will send you their AR data. Hodgdon / IMR have a web site and list powders with various bullet weights for almost all cartridges.
OR
http://njhighpower.com/cart_tech.htm
As with ANY listed reloading data , start a little low and work up
also, the Sierra AR data lists using a 20" Colt H-Bar. Their accuracy load for their 77 bthp is 24.1 of v v n 140 @2600. Their fastest load went 2750 with TAC

 

[mac86951]

Two great replies already. 2800fps from 18" barrel is certainly 5.56 territory.

-Mac

 

[heymarine1833]

just loaded 22.3 grains ar-comp for the 77grain sierra hpbt match. very accurate. went to 22.6 and will test again.(these bullets were plated with hBN and might not yield suitable pressures in your rifle) barrel length is 22"

 

[Jrod1987]

The chamber is 5.56 and I'm loading 5.56 brass

 

[Zero333]

Beware of IMI brass.
Yours might be good, but plenty of shit IMI brass made it's way into American reloaders hands.

 

[Jrod1987]

I'm not loading the IMI I have Lake
City brass. Thx for heads up tho

 

[dickn52]

Twist rate?

 

[Jrod1987]

7

 

[Wingnut00]

My load with 77 mk with lc brass 450 primer 18" tube is 22.3 gr h-322. Awesome fricken accurate. My barrel is 8 twist.

 

[Johnny_V]

I've been using 24.0gr of TAC out of an 18", 1 in 7, Wilde chamber barrel and am getting 2720fps and 1 1/4" groups. Group size is indicative of my age. When I was younger, I would have thrown the rifle in the garbage if I experienced this type of accuracy.

 

[dantiff2]

A buddy of mine runs the 77's out of his 18". He gets awesome results with TAC and Varget lit with a standard cci #400 primer. Not sure on charge weight but he said the standard primers were faster, better accuracy and lower ES than the magnums. We also use LC brass.

Dan

 

[jlow]

TAC gives good velocity out of an AR but watch the high charge nodes in hot weather since this is not a temperature insensitive powder.

 

[jimbo88mm]

Varget, AR-Comp and IMR 8208 XBR fit your requirements and have all been very good for me.

 

[Mitchk]

23.7 varget and 77 smk give me about 2750 and .5ish moa from my BCM 20".

 

[Jrod1987]

My load with 77 mk with lc brass 450 primer 18" tube is 22.3 gr h-322. Awesome fricken accurate. My barrel is 8 twist.

What is ur velocity

 

[Wingnut00]

What is ur velocity

2721 with sd of 6 average of ten shots.
Also I crimp my bullets with lee crimp die.

 

[Fast14riot]

23.2 8208 with any 75/77 grain pill (except Amax)
24gr Varget
24gr RL15

Those all should get you close. RL15 is dirty, Varget can be hard to find in some places still, 8208 is my choice. I use 7 1/2BR primers in LC brass, 20" wylde 1:7 twist. Seated at mag length, usually 2.260 or so in my rifle, but if you use pmags you may have to go 2.250.

 

[JAlfred]

2800 is smoking from a 18" barrel, that would be fast from a 20". I am only getting 3000 fps from a 30" barrel with 23.5 gr XBR 8208.