show me your groups, factory vs handload!

hey rusty,

tell me about your AR.. is it stock? what have you done to it? I have an M&P 15, it shoots like 6 inch groups from a rest at 100y, all ive tried is cheapo factory ammo so far.

thanks - justin

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Justin,

It's a stock AR. It's a Rock River 16" with 1:9 twist. I am shooting mixed brass, 24.8 grains of H-335, bullet is a bulk Hornady 55 grain FMJ-BT. It has been a good accurate load for me so far. That was the first time using the rest. I'm hoping to go to the range tomorrow and try to tighten it up a little more.

RustyFN said:

Justin,

It's a stock AR. It's a Rock River 16" with 1:9 twist. I am shooting mixed brass, 24.8 grains of H-335, bullet is a bulk Hornady 55 grain FMJ-BT. It has been a good accurate load for me so far. That was the first time using the rest. I'm hoping to go to the range tomorrow and try to tighten it up a little more.

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Rusty,

That last 3 shot groups looks to be about 3/4 MOA?
Very nice for a stock RRA. I assume you are using optics as opposed to irons?

nra,

I have an older M&P 15T and it's stupid accurate for an off the shelf AR.

Last time I shot any factory ammo with it, it was MOA at 200 yds with Rem UMC 55 gr.

Most M&T have a 1/9 twist. What weight bullets are you shooting? Could it be you are shooting heavier bullets than it can stabilize?

I assume you are using optics as opposed to irons?

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Yes. I can't see that far with the irons and these old eyes.

I don't have any targets around anymore to show it but back when I started loading I was tickled with how much better my stuff shot.

It doesn't really matter though, I was looking at the price of factory ammo a while back and if I didn't reload I wouldn't be doing much shooting.

The last time I bought factory 7 mag ammo it was around $10 a box. You could catch it on sale after hunting season and get it for $8. It's ridiculous what they want for it now!


Rusty,
You part your hair just like I do
right down the middle and W I D E....

Seedtick

RustyFN said:

Yes. I can't see that far with the irons and these old eyes.

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ROFL - I feel your pain.

I used to qual with a mid 240s on the KD. Now I get a headache trying to focus on the front sight.

I do buy a little factory ammunition for a new rifle. I like to "calibrate" the rifle for the velocity I get with factory ammunition. It is another piece of information I use in developing good loads.

But, I don't keep the targets, either factory or handloads groups. I got enough useless paper stored around my house. i do record the groups though.

The only time I buy factory ammo is when I buy a new gun and have not had a chance to load for it. And then it is as cheap as I can find.

Hornady Factory ammo does ok but not near as good as handloads. Sorry - No pics of the factory stuff.

18" RRA upper w/YM NM Chrome BCG/Palmetto State Lower w/RRA 2 stage NM FCG & cheap optics- 69gr SMK w/25.5g w748 LC04 Brass.

10 shots 100yds.



20" Remington R25 (actually DPMS) .308 w/RRA 2 stage NM FCG & Cheap optics
168g SMK w/42.2g Varget Win Brass

Testing loads - 3 shots 100yds.



Regards,
Richard

Heres one for you
Shot at 300yrds, Savage 10FP .308, Fed American Eagle 150gr Vs. Handloads. The factory ammo measured 6"

Nice

Thanks! The remaining factory ammo became trade fodder after that

Factory ammo is like a frozen TV dinner. It's got everything you need in one convenient package with almost no effort. But you really don't enjoy it.

-Matt

.308 at 300 yds w/ 175 SMK in LC brass

About the time I started reloading, I started shooting out past 100 yards, so I don't have any factory ammo comparisons to this, but I prefer shooting the stuff I reload even if factory ammo can match this example.