AR's and match bullets

[Takem406]

Would like to load up some heavier AMax bullets for my new DDm4 V7. However I've read that the heavier and longer match bullets cause feeding issues. No dice for p-dogs!
The rifle is 1-7 so that's not an issue just cartridge OAL. The A Max in the 52 has been a one hole wonder with my 22-250 and the heavier 75 grainer has the better BC of the bullets in its class.

 

[rcmodel]

As long as they are 2.260" or less OAL?

They will fit & feed in any AR-15.

If you can load them to fit in the mag, bullet weight has nothing to do with anything.

rc

 

[Takem406]

Perfect! Guys on another forum must be high... They were talking about shooting their ARs single shot with these bullets. Um... That defeats the purpose of a 'Merica 4 rifle.

 

[cfullgraf]

I know that Sierra lists the COL for their 80 grain Matchking at 2.5" for 600 yard service rifle competition. This will not fit in the magazine but the 600 yard stage is fired single shot anyway..

But there are 70-80 grain bullets that data is available for when loaded to AR magazine length.

 

[Takem406]

Thanks guys! What primers are you guys loading with? All. My other stuff uses 210M but I see there are AR match rifle primers.
Not sure how well this 16" barrel will do, but I'm gunna squeeze every hundredth of an inch out of it.

 

[steve4102]

Perfect! Guys on another forum must be high... They were talking about shooting their ARs single shot with these bullets. Um... That defeats the purpose of a 'Merica 4 rifle.

NO, they are not HIGH.

The 75gr A-Max cannot be loaded to AR Mag Length. Hornady spells this out in their Manuals. They recommend an OAL of no less than 2.390.

Seating the 75gr A-Max to Mag length will put the case mouth past the Ogive of the bullet.

If you wish to load a heavy bullet in the 75+/- range get something other then the A-Max, unless you wish to shoot single shot.

 

[rcmodel]

My other stuff uses 210M

The 210M is a Large Rifle primer.

The .223 uses Small Rifle primers.

And I'm the only one who is High.

I did not realize you were asking about heavy A-Max or other VLD type bullets.

Steve4102 is exactly right about that bullet being too Long & pointy to keep the ogive taper out of the case when seated mag length.

What you probably ought to do is buy a Hornady Reloading Manual if you want to shoot those bullets.

rc

 

[cfullgraf]

In their respective manufacturer's manuals, the Sierra 77 grain Matchkings and Hornady 75 BTHP bullets are listed as being loaded to AR magazine length (2.260")

80 grain Matchkings and Hornady A-MAX bullets are loaded to longer than AR magazine length in the data.

In the Berger manual, they list 2.260" COL for all their heavy 22 caliber bullets up to 90 grains with a caveat that a different COL might work better in the user's rifle. Based on the shape of the Berger bullets I wonder if 2.260" can really be obtained with the ogive ending up in the case mouth. But, I have never used these bullets, other Berger bullets but not the heavy weight 224" diameter bullets.

As rcmodel said, it is not a bad idea to invest in a manual or two for the bullets that you are planning to use.

 

[Takem406]

Have the manual, just thought I'd try the web for first hand experience before digging it out.

 

[jb27]

I have had good luck in my AR using Sierra MatchKing 69 and 77 grain bullets seated to just under 2.26. I use Rem 7 1/2 primers. I think (?) I have read to not use Federal primers in an AR (obviously not talking about their "AR" specific ones) because the primers are too soft. Someone else can verify this.

 

[Comrade Mike]

Out of curiosity. If one were interested in producing some 80-90 grain .223 for an AR would you run into the issue of contacting the lands or do AR's have longer throats? Measuring seating depth for AR's is obviously a little harder than for a bolt gun.

 

[aklaunch]

FED 205 Primers.

At your own risk of course, but....

I have not had issues with Federal Primers. As a matter of fact i have shot the best groups to date with them from an AR.

The Barnes online 5.56 data calls from them.