556 / 223 OAL and mags

[siglite]

I ran into an interesting issue on the range this weekend. Turns out, my 69gr match-kings fit in an orlite mag, but they won't come out. Every single rifle I have seems to like 62gr and higher ammo. They all shoot SS109 Lake City and Radway *really* well. Problem is, that stuff's roughly 50 cents/round these days. So, I bought dies, and I handload. Well, turns out, it's not just SS109 that's a pita to find. 62 gr bullets are tough to find as well. At least they have been for me. Could be that I'm just not looking in the right places. So, here's a list of questions.

• What's the general max OAL for reliable feeding in AR mags? Is there an official spec?
• Is there a good source for SS109 bullets that aren't an arm and a leg?
• I've had severe accuracy issues with 55gr in 1:7 twist barrels, is this common?
• Is there another FMJ bullet somewhere between 62 and 70 grains that isn't as long as the Match Kings? Preferably one that's inexpensive?

 

[shadeecat]

1/1/08--Tuesday

Hello,

Using 1:8 twist for 80-90 gr. bullets here. 1:7 is for more spin to stabilize the heavier bullets. You could probably shoot 100 gr. bullets or heavier with your 1:7. Provided you can get the velocity and accuracy worked up. If your hunting varmints, they aren't going to know the difference between 2800 fps and 3500 fps. And less pressure/fps can increase the life of your barrel.
Don't know about OAL for AR 15s. Just loading for a rebarreled mini 14 in 6x45mm. The COL for ruger mini 14 mags is 2.267 inches max.

 

[R.W.Dale]

max COL can vary from mag to mag I can seat bullets out to 2.285" but only with my 7615's original 10rd wilson combat mag I have to seat a good .015" deeper when using GI mags with the seam in front

 

[rbernie]

Reliable OAL = 2.260

For gen-yoo-wine M855 bullets, try http://www/wideners.com

 

[taliv]

69g SMK are easily loaded to magazine length. you just need to seat yours further in.

* Is there a good source for SS109 bullets that aren't an arm and a leg?
* I've had severe accuracy issues with 55gr in 1:7 twist barrels, is this common?

* wideners.com
* absolutely not. 1:7 twist will NOT cause "severe" accuracy issues. it is reported by some and is theoretically very slightly less accurate than slower twists, but if SS109 (2 MOA, give or take) is accurate enough for you, then 55gr in 1:7 will also be fine

 

[siglite]

it is reported by some and is theoretically very slightly less accurate than slower twists, but if SS109 (2 MOA, give or take) is accurate enough for you, then 55gr in 1:7 will also be fine

Well, count it as reported by one more.

 

[siglite]

Oh guys, thank you very much to the pointer to Wideners.

 

[birdbustr]

I've got a Colt Match Competition M4 that has a 16" 1:7 twist. It loves the 55gr Ballistic tips @3200fps. It also does great with the 55gr American Eagle FMJBT. Had awful groupings with the 68gr Hornady BTHP bullets.

I'm just glad I found something that it shoots really well. I don't hunt with it anyway, just a fun target/tactical rifle, so I don't really need a heavier bullet to use.

 

[taliv]

Well, count it as reported by one more.

not sure we're on the same page yet.

define "severe accuracy issues". how big were your groups, and what size groups were you expecting?

 

[ocabj]

Nosler has a 'special' price on the 52gr and 69gr BTHP in 22cal for $126.95 per 1000. Their shipping is only $10 flat rate. Just go to the Nosler website. I use their 77gr BTHP but they recently raised those from $126.95 to $143.95 in the week before Christmas (thankfully I ordered another 2K the week prior).

 

[siglite]

12-14" @200. Prone with irons. I'm used to shooting closer to 6" under the same conditions with the same rifle. That rifle absolutely HATES 55gr bullets. I have no technical explanation for it. Those groups were more typical of what'd I'd expect from my AK than my AR.

 

[taliv]

that does seem pretty severe. would be interesting to know what caused that. i'm pretty skeptical though, that that sort of deviation would be caused by spinning the bullets too fast.

all of my ARs are 1:7 twist and I shoot 55g through all of them except my HP rifle. all of them will hold on steel that's 6" wide (quite a bit taller though) at 200yrd.

are the 55g flat base or bthp?

 

[siglite]

I don't recall. I seem to have had the problem with several different 55gr loadings. Like I say, I have no technical explanation for it. I'm just curious if anyone else has has the same problem with fast-twist barrels and 55gr. Looks like my experience might be an anomaly.

 

[Jon Coppenbarger]

could just be your rifle does not like them. Are they reloads? if you are loading them yourself are they a name brand bullet or a common bulk military type? Most folks do not have a problem with a 52 to 55 gr round if they are of good quality.

 

[Outlaws]

Turns out, my 69gr match-kings fit in an orlite mag, but they won't come out.

69gr. HPBT MatchKings? Hodgdon lists it at 2.235" COL. If I recall that is what Lyman's 48th says too.

 

[siglite]

I think I was using COL numbers from either my Lyman manual, or Hodgson. But I was using numbers from one of them, and they were dragging on the front of the mag and were staying kind of "tip down" and wouldn't come out. They fit in my metal .mil mags though, with maybe 2 hundredths clearance.