.224 80g Sierra Match Kings + Varget in my AR = WOW!

[swingpress]

I just have to say wow.

I did some ladder testing @190 yards today with my Shaw barreled AR15. I've been quite satisfied with the accuracy of this rifle. It consistently shoots 3/4" @ 100 yards with a 40g Nosler Ballistic Tip + H335 load worked up for another rifle (never tried to improve it for this rifle) and the same but slightly less reliably with it's best 75g Hornady A-Max + Varget load.

Today my jaw is on the floor after ladder testing in .2 grain increments with 80g SMKs and Varget. A 15/16" @ 190 yards group emerged between 22.3 and 23.3 grains! I am just floored that a group like that can span a grain of charge weights and 117fps.

With such a large window, I wonder if I should start with another ladder test charged in .1g increments at longer range, or just shoot for groups with loads out of the middle.

I think I'm going to try another ladder test, though it's hard to believe that I'm not wobbling more than 1/2 MOA on a bipod.

PS. Please do not shoot any loads I have discussed unless you verify them in a published reloading manual.

 

[Stinger]

I'd duplicate before I got too excited (yeah, right).

 

[taliv]

i had similar results in my service rifle around 24g. i settled on 24.3g (varget & 80g SMK)

 

[ocharry]

+1,,,i agree with Stinger,,,when i am load testing and i settle on a load i will test that load on several different days,,,,just to make sure that is what i want,,,,not saying you haven't found the ONE,,,,i just like to make sure i didn't have a fluke

also i will play with .1 grain increments and bullet seat depth,,,,,you may not have that option with the auto

good luck,,,nice group,,,if it is repeatable

ocharry

 

[Bullet]

In my AR I get between 1 - 2 inch groups (no wind) at 330 yards with 77gr moly SMK’s. Some of the AR’s shoot pretty good with the right loads, mines an RRA Varmint.