Reloading for a Budget AR

[doc540]

thought I'd snag an upper from PSA and mount a Mueller on it for a fun project

shot it for the second time today

200yds, stock trigger, off a bag

69gr Sierra BTHP's, Varget, range brass, Federal primers

good starting point, but certainly no bolt rifle

 

[nix4me]

Seems pretty good to me for an AR.

 

[otrman]

That is actually quite good esp. so with the wind. Keep working up with the Varget, I found with my AR's they really like it in the upper range of the load data.

 

[theslasher]

My gun looks identical to yours except the scope. I love that upper. $399 and you get a bolt carrier, charging handle and a $189 Midwest Industries handguard. Mine shoots 1" at 100 yards with 26 gr of varget and a 55 vmax or 55 sp. People at the range think my gun costs alot more than it does. Since it is a 1/7 I suspect heavier bullets would shoot even better.

 

[Lennyjoe]

I prefer H335 over Varget for my 55 gr loads.

 

[doc540]

I've heard good things about H335.

Of course, here locally I've never SEEN any, but I'd sure like to try some.

 

[doc540]

NOW we're gettin' somewhere! Windy today, but the budget AR shot a great group at 200yds. Of course, there had to be the obligatory flier.

I do believe I have found a load it likes - 77gr Sierra BTHP over 24.7gr of Varget.

 

[AlliedArmory]

My budget red dot AR only gets Hornady 55gr FMJ-BT over H335.

It looks like you have about a 2" group at 200 yrds in wind which is very nice for any AR not costing 2K+

 

[doc540]

Thanks

Without the dadgum flier it was .71".

Better than the 1.5" I shot the first time out.

 

[Lennyjoe]

How full are the cases using Varget? We tried some with 55 gr bullets and LC brass and the case was plum full......

 

[theslasher]

FULL! It will crunch a bit when you seat the bullet. Perfectly normal.

 

[blarby]

Thats dang fine shootin', allowed by dang fine loadin'.

5 shot groups are quite the pain- 3 shot groups have been getting a new breath of air thanks to Taliv- I suggest you do some additional reading and not beat yourself up so bad !

Well done.

 

[doc540]

Thank you....improved trigger and no wind should tell the tale.

And next time I'll quit at 4!

 

[RussellC]

Doc, dont feel bad. For 200 yards not bad at all. shoot 5, but the closest 3 are a bit more indicative of the gun's capabilities I always felt anyway, sort of eliminates the flyers that just are not the gun's fault.

Russellc

 

[Walkalong]

What is the diameter of the red circle?

 

[doc540]

red circle is less than an 1.5"

I measured the group of four by following someone's instructions to set the calipers at .224, the diameter of the bullet.

It came about to a little less than 3/4 of an inch, but I'm not gonna split hairs until I get a better trigger and shoot in something besides a lay'em-down wind like the last two or three days.

 

[theslasher]

Are you using a Lead Sled or something similar?

 

[doc540]

I wish I did have one of those sled things.

All I have to work with is this front rest and a small bag which I put under the pistol grip.

Not real stable, but better than nothing.

 

[carbine85]

My RRA Varmit doesn't shoot much better than that. Those are some good groups. Your loads seems heavy. Are you showing a signs of high pressure?

 

[doc540]

Thanks

not sure what to look for other than a bulge in the lower part of the case and primers not looking "normal"?

I'm inspecting my brass after I shoot and before I tumble.

 

[greyling22]

my stupid psa rifle outshot my rra predator pursuit. and they both outshot my bolt guns. I don't like the AR platform much, but you can't argue with the results.

 

[bluetopper]

Barrel length?

 

[doc540]

16"