Reloading Precision .223 ??

[zac4551]

What do I need to do to get the best results out of my AR and ammo. I have been reloading alot of plinking ammo but I am thinking of doing some varmit hunts and want to know how to get the most accurate rounds. How do I know what the exact OAL needs to be ? It is a 1in9 twist in a 16 " barrel.

Thanks,
Zac

 

[rodregier]

If you're loading for an AR-15 pattern rifle in .223 Rem, OAL is normally limited by the magazine box interior dimensions. That is around 2.260", or just a bit less.

A quality projectile and a case-full of suitable speed powder are some of the elements of an accurate load. A 68/69g FMJBTM projectile and a powder like Varget or 4895 are worth your while to consider.

 

[Ida Noski]

What have your plinking loads consisted of so far?
Were they accurate?
Varmint hunting doesn't require massive tissue disruption. If you're hunting "yotes" (coyote) your plinking ammo may be sufficient as it is.
Highpower competitors typically use 20" barrels with 1 in 8 or 7 twist which stabilizes heavier bullets. Long range rounds will also be seated 10 mil off the lands and single loaded as they are too long for the magazine. A Stoney Point gauge allows you to measure the throat of your rifle to determine what the OAL should be.
1 in 9 is a good all around twist but each rifle will handle different bullet weights with varying results.
Try a variety and see what you get. Varget is a great powder for the heavier weights as it is not influenced by temperature.
55 gr soft points should work real well in a 1/9. I just loaded some for my midlength carbine with 26 grs of Varget.
W748 is good for lighter pills as well. I'm sure others will offer some good advice, so keep checking back and most importantly provide us with some feedback and results.
Good luck.

 

[rundm]

you might want to try some of the varget as mentioned above and use it with some of the 55g nbt or 60g vmax. some very incredible tissue damage done with either of those bullets. benchmark also works well for me as well as h335.

 

[rodregier]

For lighter bullets in .223 Rem, I've had good accuracy with the Remington 55g PLHP projectiles. Should rapidly expand too. (Missed the varmint hunting theme earlier).