Loading the Sierra 69 gr Match King for AR15

2.260 is typically the maximum that your AR magazine will allow. Some magazines will allow more but I've yet to find a longer load that was that much more accurate that it justified a longer OAL. If the h335 doesn't work out, try 25 grains of TAC (if you've got a 5.56 chamber). That load has always been a great one for me.

I prefer Varget for the 69gr SMK's at 2.260". My gun likes it on the upper end of the range. I like Tac too, but find it more suited for the lighter bullets, 52, 53, 55gr. I've had terrible luck with the H335, none of my guns seam to shoot it well.

I like the 69SMK over 24.0grns of RL15 and sparked off with a Rem 7 1/2 primer.

Out of my Colt Sporter Target 20" 1:7 Twist using the Sierra 69 grain BTHP I was getting good results using Winchester 748 about 25.5 to 26.0 grains. Another powder I liked was VihtaVuori N133 and N135. These loads with a C.O.A.L. of 2.260 gave good results with the 1:7 twist rate 20" barrel.

I never had much luck with any bullet above 55 grains in my Colt SP1 guns with the 1:12 twist 20" barrels. Depending on the magazine the 2.260" C.O.A.L. is about the Maximum length you will see. H335 is another popular powder and shoots well for me in my bolt gun but I never had much luck using it in my AR type rifles, maybe I just did not pursue it enough.

Ron

I'll second Varget for 69 gr SMKs, my JP AR liked 'em just fine. It's been a while since I shot it so I don't recall the exact recipe.

Reloadron said:

I was getting good results using Winchester 748 about 25.5 to 26.0 grains.

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Just keep in mind when I used that Win 748 load the 26.0 grains was on the high end as in likely a Maximum Load so I would work from maybe 25.0 grains up and not exceed the maximum.

Ron

Accuracy load in the Sierra manual for ARs is 25.3g of varget for the 69g SMK.

It works great in my bolt action generally producing 1/2" 5 shot groups or better at 100 yards

I'd give that a try if you have some

If you haven't found it already, here's a link to the PDF that Sierra created specifically for loading .223 in an AR-15 rifle. I used "accuracy load" data for the 77gr SMK, and it was very close to the best load for my rifle. The "accuracy load" for the 69gr uses Varget. Give it a whirl, it should get you in the ballpark.

http://accurateshooter.net/Downloads/sierra223ar.pdf

I've shot thousands of these 69 SMKs over 21.1 grains of Viht-133, CCI BR primer, Lapua case. My 1:8 scoped JP prints 0.5 inch and less at 100 yards and my 1:7 circa-1994 Colt shoots them into 0.85 inch with iron sights at 100. Five shot groups, of course. Unlike the experience of everyone else that I know, TAC loads produced terrible results in both of these rifles.

25-25.3 grains TAC, CCI BR4 primer, 2.255 to 2.260 COAL. Shoots really nice out of most any AR15. Note: this is a 5.56 load and is pretty spicy, so don't shoot it out of a .223 chamber.

Dill, I thought 24 grains of TAC felt really hot when I tested it in my rifle and the brass had stretch marks at the web. I can't even imagine how your load would feel over here, and what it would do to my beloved Lapua brass. I see it is within Ramshot's data, of course, and I'm glad it's working out well for you.

Walkalong, my Viht-133 charge of 21.1 grains results in 2,675 on a 70 degree day from my 20" JP barrel. That's about a 40 fps increase over the 2,000 round life of the barrel, so far. I load to 2.260 +/- 0.003 and the ammo is good enough to shoot 3/4 MOA at the 600 yard competitions as long is the wind isn't too bad. I found that Viht-133 isn't nearly as temperature sensitive as internet lore lead me to believe. I wish TAC had worked out for me because it seems to burn cleaner and the price is easy on the wallet. I hope 133 works well for you next time you try it. I found it also produced the best results of the four powders that I tested when developing the 1,000 yard .223 load with Berger 80-gr bullets.

I've had good experiences with Varget under the 69 gr SMK.

I put a spoonful of Varget in my coffee every morning

I loaded some with IMR 8208. With 23.5 grains at 135 yards I was getting the first 3 rounds in 1/4 inch then the next two opened up to an inch. Ran out of bullets and keep forgetting to get more.
I have the length written as 2.235 so I must have been measuring to the ogive.

RussellC said:

OK, 8lbs of Varget on the way, I think I can get some Tac locally.

Also have some 53 and 69 grain Match Kings on the way.

Russellc

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Serria makes two light weight match bullets, 53 gr HPFB-Match (Flat base) and a 52gr HPBT-Match (Boat tail). I tested both to find out which shoots best in my gun. My gun shoots the BT better than the FB. I used 26.2 gr TAC at 2.250" OAL for the 52gr, FL sized using Redding bushing die. This loads were developed using LC-15 brass. These crony at 3250 fps in my 24" 223R Ultra-Match chamber, bull barrel AR. This barrel has always produced higher velocities. If I recall the 52gr SMK are 0.020" off the lands in this min spec chamber. The 53gr had a different load but I don't recall what it was. So do a workup for your gun as no 2 barrels are the same.

My pet load for the SMK 69gr HPBT-M is 25.8 gr Varget, Lapula and LC-15 brass, 2.260" OAL.

What is your twist rate on your AR?