Still trying different bullets

Hardtarget · Jun 19, 2015

I'm still having fun learning what my AR likes. The Hornady 55gr V-max turned in some good results. Last week I decided to try two new bullets so I bought some Hornady 55gr GMX. They're all "gilding" metal. Never thought much about it, but that makes them wind up a bit longer than lead core bullets. When I shot a few I noticed they did not fly "true"...just a slight tipping. In spite of the tipping I got a "mini group"(3 shot) of less than one inch. I would expect things to get worse with more distance.

The other bullet was Hornady 60gr V-max. I expect much the same because they are long too. Maybe the 1:9 twist isn't fast enough for these slightly longer bullets. Maybe a 1:7 or a 1:8 twist would shoot these better.

At any rate, this is part of the fun of reloading and shooting. Find what works best and narrow your choices. Focus on the shooting, and practice the fundamentals knowing your gun likes the load and shoots it well.

Now, new bullets, new loads...RANGE TRIP !

Mark

tightgroup tiger · Jun 19, 2015

That's what it's all about Mark! I think your right about the rifling twist.

Thanks for sharing,
Brian

LocoGringo · Jun 20, 2015

Not so sure about the rifling twist causeing the problem of inaccuracy because of understabilization. I just got finished testing out a new-to-me rifle with a 16" Wilson Combat 1:9 twist barrel and I shot 75 grain Hornady "match" and HPR "match" ammo through it as well as 69 grain Federal GMM ammo and it all shot quite nicely with no indication of losing stabilization. Of course all of those bullets were traditional lead core/copper jacketed, but they are considered long for the caliber and require a faster twist rate. They even say on the box "for 1:10 twist rate or faster". Maybe it's a combination of length of the bullet coupled with the relative light weight that is the problem.

Hardtarget · Jun 21, 2015

Thanks for the comments! For sure, I'm not through testing with these bullets. I will speed them up a bit, try different powders, and change primers before I put them aside.

I like the "chase" in reloading...as long as there is hope. I'm not likely to make much effort on obvious failure. Money and time should be spent wisely.

If I find some kind of great surprise I will be sure to share!

Range trip set for Sunday 6/21. See if these reloads are worth shooting!

Mark

KansasSasquatch · Jun 21, 2015

The 50gr and 55gr V-Max have done well for me but the 60gr tends to be even better. And even better than the 60gr V-Max are the Nosler 60gr Ballistic Tip. With all else being equal the Nosler's have been slightly better than the 60gr V-Max. That's with a 1 in 9 twist rate, in barrels from 16" up to 22".

If I buy them 100 at a time the Hornady's have been my choice because of the price difference, but Nosler sells 250count boxes that make the difference negligible. http://www.midwayusa.com/product/17...0-grain-spitzer-boat-tail?cm_vc=ProductFindin

45lcshooter · Jun 21, 2015

50, 55, and 60, grainers all do well in all of my AR platforms, some like the lighter grain over the others. After 60gr, I did not get decent results out of the carbine platforms.

243winxb · Jun 21, 2015

.224" bullets

http://www.bergerbullets.com/twist-rate-calculator/ The barrel length/velocity may be the biggest factor when it comes to RPM's and twist rate. Fun to try different bullets.

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JamieC · Jun 21, 2015

Yep, definitely fun ''chasing'' the perfect combo! My 1:9 shoots the 55gr VMaxs real well, (haven't tried the 60s). Loaded a bunch for SD. Loaded some Hornady 60gr SP, (thought they would make better SD rounds), not as accurate as the VMax, I guess more research needed. Recently tried some 75gr HPBT from Everglades Ammo, no problems, shot as good as anything I've tried, still playing with powder, (first 'efforts' were using Reloder 15). Just bought 1,000 55gr FMJ from them, just loaded up a bunch using Win 748 and H335, different powder weights. Range trip!

Still trying different bullets

Hardtarget

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tightgroup tiger

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LocoGringo

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Hardtarget

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KansasSasquatch

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45lcshooter

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243winxb

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JamieC

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