223 & 16" barrel trying to match bdc scope

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Lokichoki

Lokichoki

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Hello THR,
I have recently purchased a Ruger American ranch (5.56/223) for a charity hog hunt in Texas and now I'm back in the great state of Alabama at my bench and ready for load development. I have equipped this rifle with a Nikon P-223 3-9 with 600yd bdc reticle that it's drop was in comparison with a 55gr polymer tipped bullet (assuming v-max) l at 3,240fps, I knew when buying the scope I might not be able to match that in the 16" barrel but if it was not to be it would be transplanted to another host and the scope was $169 so I had to scoop it up, that said I am looking to match this velocity as close as possible and I am looking for insight into the powder choice, I'm looking at varget currently if you guys have any wisdom I would love to hear it thanks. Also I'm going to post my plinking load below i just "cronoed" yesterday of my plinking load I had on hand I use in all my ar's

Created: 05-07-2017 15:51:55
Description: 223 ranch 55fmjbt(horn) 26gr win748 CCI 400 2.20OAL TTL-1.75
Notes 1: very clean burning
Notes 2: (PMC brass 2nd fire some short marked foulers)
Distance to Chrono (FT): 0.00
Ballistic Coefficient: 1.000
Bullet Weight (gr): 0.000
Altitude (FT): 0.0
Temp: 71 °F
BP: 30.08 inHG
Shots
# FPS FT-LBS PF
11 2813 0.00 0.00
10 ERROR 2
9 2866 0.00 0.00
8 2843 0.00 0.00
7 2802 0.00 0.00
6 2797 0.00 0.00
5 2808 0.00 0.00
4 2882 0.00 0.00
3 2785 0.00 0.00
2 2804 0.00 0.00
1 2893 0.00 0.00
Average: 2829.30
StdDev: 38.70
Min: 2785
Max: 2893
Spread: 108
True MV: 2829.30
Shots/sec: 0.02
Group Size (IN): 1/2" (1flyer) 50yds
 
Here's pic I 4 got
 

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Have you looked at the Nikon spot on
Ballistic/ trajectory calculator ?
It maybe some help to you
 
I will check that out I was guessing it would guestimate a reference for comparison to the current 'hash" marks on the bdc but I do still want to be pretty close to what is on there, thanks for the info
 
If you can find the subtentions of the hash marks in MOA then you can use one of the trajectory calculators, as Jo Jo suggested, to find the distance where the hash marks will be coincide for your rifle/bullet combination. It might not be even yardages as the scope was designed for. Field check it for verification.

I use the JBM site, but they are all pretty much the same and will get you started.
 
I know I will have 3 different loads developed for pig/target/plinking and maybe deer but just in case type scenario so I will have to make references but if I can get my target load or plinking load to match what's there currently I can have a quick easy reference as I can just use the available hashes,
 
Meant to add also that for hunting I basically wouldn't be using the drop hashes anyway the cartridge and my opinion leaves me at 150yds max that I would want to shoot, I will make not that the federal m193 is almost at 3200fps with a 16" barrel so I might be able to use that anyone have a matching handloads for this factory round?
 
The spot on app is pretty handy. You could print out your reticle distance and stick it inside a scope flip cap.
 
I get higher velocities using Ramshot TAC, than Varget. I've gotten 3400 fps using 52gr HPBT-M out of my Min Spec 223R Match 24" AR using TAC. But this barrel has always produced higher velocities. I also got excellent accuracy (< 1 MOA) from TAC in the 50-55gr bullets. Varget has been my go to powder for heavier bullets, 65-69gr.
 
748 is pretty darn close to being exactly the same as H-335...which is the 'go to' standard for many people in 5.56. 26 grains under a 55 grain projo is max for the older powder and slightly over with the latest data so I'd opine that your current ammo is doing about all you're going to be able to do in that rifle. I might be wrong, but something tells me that there is no magic load out there that's going to get you 3200 out of that rifle with anything approaching sane and safe pressures.

Especially since you're wisely going to limit yourself to 150 yd hunting, why worry about the hashmarks matching what the manual says they should? Find out where your load hits, zero appropriately and more than likely the hashmarks will be pretty close enough and at worst you might have to fudge the numbers 50 yds at the longer ranges to account for the reduced velocity. The 55 grain 5.56's slow down fast which is why people like to use the much heavier pills for long range shooting. Within 150 yds...just aim dead on and kill those pigs.:)
 
Recoil Rob thanks for the reply, my Lyman manual put 748 at 27.8 max for a 55gr sp but not the fmj-bt I worked up to that and am currently working at 26.5 and more with no pressure signs whatsoever after many many rounds also the ranch is marked 5.56 and I currently load only 223 I will post Chrono data on this thread for 26.5-27. I do only hunt at appropriate distance but who doesn't want to ring steal at 600+ : )
 
You're overthinking this. Load the ammo for the best combination of speed and accuracy then go to the range and shoot them at targets. If you zero at 100 yards you'll find you actually hit pretty darn close to point of aim using the dots for longer ranges. You'll probably be slightly lower because of the loss of velocity from the shorter barrel, but not as much as you may think. Probably less than 2-3" out to 300 yards. Find out where you are hitting and print out a cheat sheet and tape it to your stock.

You'll probably find the hash marks close enough to use out to 200 or 300 yards. The 400 yard hash may actually place your zero at 375, the 500 yard mark may be 475 and the 600 yard mark might be 550 yards. You'll just have to shoot at those ranges and see. But I'm betting you'll be close enough to get on paper at any of those ranges regardless of the load you use.

I'd have the same advice even if you were shooting the exact load the scope was designed for. I don't consider this a handicap in any way. In the real world you don't often shoot at targets exactly 200, 300, 400, 500, and 600 yards away. You'll see 190, 310, 435, 515, or 590 yards in the real world anyway. Pick the hash mark that comes the closest and you still have to compensate slightly even if your load does match the scope.
 
Your right I am ladder testing currently with those 55gr fmj-bt with cannolure and I'm nowhere close to those velocities accurately anyway I just ran a 27gr win748 at 2967fps average and the groups are opening up from 3/4 to 1-1/2 @100 and that is referencing the same powder fowling since the ladder test etc, I did find the Nikon spot on app to be useful I might still get a mil scope for this rifle and pass this on to one of my ar's.
 

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I will start a new post to log the data and record for this rifle with either gamekings or the 75gr v-max for those interested since the rifle is 1/8 twist hopefully I can run the bullets I've always wanted to since my ar's seem to not like anything past 65gr
 
I have the APP called "Nikon Spot On" for the iPhone/iPad made by Nikon.
I'm able to change the settings on the go.
 

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