First Reload Tests

[StringTwelve]

Went out this weekend and began testing several different loads for my AR-15 (14.5" Barrel, w/ welded flash hider).

Here are the winners of the 55gr., 50gr, and 40gr. categories. Conditions were sunny, 70 degrees, variable 5 mph wind. Shooting from a bench using a bipod. (haven't got a good lead sled yet). All targets at 100 yards.

 

[dc.fireman]

Congrats! Great feeling, aint it?

Care to divulge the rest of the winning load? ( as in cases used, powder type + chanrge, primer used, seating depth, et al.)

 

[BADUNAME37]

With my Bushmaster and 3-9 Vari-X-I, I get similar groupings. Three or four holes fairly close then one or two that are an inch or more away. It doesn't matter what bullet, what powder, what primer I am using, tightening the receiver to the upper using the $40 split bolt and one of those red rubber things behind that split bolt and the exact same thing happens. Scope and mount is very tight, everything else seems good, I have a drop-in Timney AR-10 4# Trigger assembly in it which is SWEET!

I have just reserved myself to the fact that is the way the gun shoots and it just is not a tack driver like a bolt-action 22-250 I have which has a trigger job and free-floating barrel with glass-bedded receiver. That gun will pull 1/2" groups at 200 yards off a bench. I shoot woodchucks out to 500 yards with the Harris Bipod. The Speer TNT 50g bullets are chronied at 3,920 FPS. As soon as that bullet touches ANYTHING, it begins to expand. I've shot several coyotes with it and the expansion starts when the bullet touches their hair! It puts a fist-size hole right where it hits.

 

[StringTwelve]

Cases: Aguila (pretty crappy cases but ok for first trial run)
Powder: Hodgdon H335
55gr charge = 21.6gr
50gr charge = 21.8gr
40gr charge = 24.3gr

All primers were CCI "5.56" (can't remember the # offhand)

Seating depth was 2.250 for 55gr and 2.200 for 50 and 40gr.

Took all my info from the Hornady 8th edition which I know is on the light side for charge but since this is my first rodeo I'd rather start there and work up.
My next goal is to find the best OAL for my AR then tweak the loads again to see if I can get any more accuracy out of it. I'd like to eventually have all those holes touching each other.

I think waiting longer between shots will help a bit as well. Each 5 rd test group was fired within 3-4 minutes.

 

[28lx]

With my Bushmaster and 3-9 Vari-X-I, I get similar groupings. Three or four holes fairly close then one or two that are an inch or more away. It doesn't matter what bullet, what powder, what primer I am using, tightening the receiver to the upper using the $40 split bolt and one of those red rubber things behind that split bolt and the exact same thing happens. Scope and mount is very tight, everything else seems good, I have a drop-in Timney AR-10 4# Trigger assembly in it which is SWEET!

I have just reserved myself to the fact that is the way the gun shoots and it just is not a tack driver like a bolt-action 22-250 I have which has a trigger job and free-floating barrel with glass-bedded receiver. That gun will pull 1/2" groups at 200 yards off a bench. I shoot woodchucks out to 500 yards with the Harris Bipod. The Speer TNT 50g bullets are chronied at 3,920 FPS. As soon as that bullet touches ANYTHING, it begins to expand. I've shot several coyotes with it and the expansion starts when the bullet touches their hair! It puts a fist-size hole right where it hits.

Friendly,

You should give the 55 grain TNT's a try. They where desighned for the 22-250 the 50 grain TNT's dont usually hold up at that velocity.You must have a very nicely finished barrel.